How is Con-Way for a new driver

[Saylor]

How is Con-Way for a new driver? I haven’t done my school yet. I had considered Swift but now I have reconsidered that after reading some of the negative here. I have looked at Con-Way’s web site and am considering it. I don’t mind OTR but I do want to take my wife on some trips with me. I need to make as much as I can and am willing to put in the time to do it. What companie :shock: s are good to work for when as a rookie?

[rcpilot]

CFI has schools and have recently been folded into Con-Way... search the threads ref. CFI and you'll see alot of info here... also check out their drivers forum cfidrivers.com

[Saylor]

Thanks, CFI seem to be a good company to start with from the post that I read on their site. I feel like I get real information from the post instead of the Bull that comes from the recruiters. Any information would be appreciated. I have been in manufacturing for 40 years as a designer and engineer but it has got where it really isn’t a good choice any more. With all of the “out sourcing” made in China, manufacturing jobs are not paying and they are looking at younger engineers with lower pay. I am burnt out on it and ready to do something else. It is stressful and tiring to think all day and workout hundreds of details. :idea:

[Jimbpard]

Conway has their own training program. Check with a terminal near you.
For the most part they require you to work the docks in exchange for cdl training.
After you get your cdl, it's still tough to get on the road with them as all the old timers are sticking it out as long as they can.

Thats all I know......Though every terminal may be different, so give it a shot.

[MADLUX]

Conway has their own training program. Check with a terminal near you.
For the most part they require you to work the docks in exchange for cdl training.
After you get your cdl, it's still tough to get on the road with them as all the old timers are sticking it out as long as they can.

Thats all I know......Though every terminal may be different, so give it a shot.

That holds true if you want to do LTL and other local work, you ll need to contact cfi for there truckload (OTR) part

[Night Zombie]

I have been in manufacturing for 40 years as a designer and engineer but it has got where it really isn’t a good choice any more. With all of the “out sourcing” made in China, manufacturing jobs are not paying and they are looking at younger engineers with lower pay. I am burnt out on it and ready to do something else. It is stressful and tiring to think all day and workout hundreds of details. :idea:

Welcome to the world of low stress and decent pay. I was in computer programming for 16 years, and know all about the stress of a technical career. I am a newbie trucker. Been doing it for 1 year now. It's good. Drive from point A to Point B. Dop load. Hook empty trailer, drive from Point B to Point A. Unhook empty. Do some paperwork, bs with some fellow drivers, go home, sleep. I never lie awake dreading what tomorrow will bring, as I used to as a programmer. :shock:

As a trucker, I make 66 % of my programming salary, have one only 10 % of the stress. The good folks in Bangalore, India now have my programming stress. 8)

I just really hope the politicians do not allow a massive wave of hiring of foreign workers into trucking, which would drive our wages down to "global serf" wages, and result in trucking being touted by Bush as another "job Americans won't do". :evil:

[ibamars]

I talked to them before I made a decision of going with UPS Freight. From what I gathered, if you can make it through the first three years, which includes 70-80 hrs week 7 months of the year. then 17 hrs a week for the remaining period until you rise on the list a little bit. I would say go for it.

Good company. Just some major BS when you start.

I got my info from the #1 driver on the seniority list here in this area.

[Saylor]

Thanks for the information and encouragement. It can be scary changing careers and moving out of my comfort zone. It has become uncomfortable though and I refuse to be under paid for the knowledge and experience that I have. It is also exciting to start something new also. But to be at the bottom of a career in time and experience instead of at the top will be a new experience.

[oldrookie]

After 7 years and an excellent record in every way; my son in law got starved out. Cannot say if it was intentional or slow freight. Just remember to save your money. :?

[crb]

I would reccomend cfi/conway to train and get your year but they are becomming a training company like swift, schneider, etc.

[stshores24]

I would reccomend cfi/conway to train and get your year but they are becomming a training company like swift, schneider, etc.

A 'training company'? In that they train you, or a CDL farm? I haven't heard anything but positive about CFI.Con-way...except for the post right above mine, but I have heard from several drivers who found my blog, and they stated that it's a great company to work for, and they treat their employees right. (Believe me, after years of near-abuse working at THIS employer, I'm READY to be treated right!)

[Saylor]

Thanks for the information. From my research they have a lot more positive post that anyone else that I have seen. I had talked to a Swift recruiter and then look for information on them and it was all negative and worse. I don’t expect everything to be roses but I do expect to be treated right. I can stay with my present position and be treated bad.

[crb]

CFI is by no means a cdl farm. I do not feel they treat their drivers with as much respect since the merger.

[stshores24]

CFI is by no means a cdl farm. I do not feel they treat their drivers with as much respect since the merger.

OK, thanks. I didn't mean to infer that, just asking for info.

[oldrookie]

Gentlemen, consider this; In any division of the industry where carriers compete for the same freight and operate the same; they ARE the same. You will only get a real difference when you change divisions. As a rule, a given outfit in a division is AFRAID to operate differently than the next guy.

Several companies run multiple divisions such as Schnider. They may or may not be a company to work for if a man wanted to check a few different divisions if they will let you. You would probably get to keep your health insurance and 401K without an interruption.

I could go on and on but here is MY OPINION on who to work for. 1. Union misc freight. Good luck very hard to get. 2. Contract mail carrier. Excellent money. No benefits but you can afford to pay your own. They MUST pay you what the run pays as determined by USPS. 3. Almost any private carrier. Which is a company that hauls it's own products.

Enough babbling. Good luck with it.