WHY WORK FOR A OTR COMPANY GO LTL

[DRIVERMAN77077]

WHY WOULD ANYONE WORK FOR ONE OF THOSE CHEAP OTR COMPANIES LIKE USA WERNER SWIFT OR JB HUNT THAT ONLY PAY AROUND 30 CENTS A MILE? WHY NOT GET A HAZMAT AND DOUBLES ENDORSEMENTS AND GO TO SAIA AAA COOPER FED EX FREIGHT COMPANYS THAT PAY 42 TO 52 CENTS A MILE OR DO YOU GUYS LIKE TO WORK LIKE ILLEGAL ALIENS :twisted: :evil: :P

[Ian Williams]

Being a steering wheel holder for the Big Blue Screw or Swift is not as demanding.

Some people are not cut out for LTL work. At my terminal about half quit in the first month.

[Uturn2001]

Well for starters not everyone likes doing local type work. Many would like to spend more time running the open roads than constantly fighting city traffic.

Next those type of jobs are not available everywhere, and in some places where they do have them the competition is fierce.

Next there are many companies that are now paying around 40 cpm for 1 or 2 years experience so the gap is less than it was a few years ago.

Finally, if it was not for OTR drivers the local guys would have a lot less freight to haul. :P :P :P

[AmEagleDrvr]

For starters, most LTL companies will not hire new drivers. You have to have a year or two experience.

I enjoyed my time over the road (2 yrs.), however the pay was less at .29/mi, but I got the necessary experience and LOTS of miles. I got into an LTL company after about 6 months of constantly calling the terminal manager. Had to be persistant. Very few linehaul openings around here. The pay is better, and I am home every weekend. I drive about 26-2700 miles per week over 5 nights. Some nights I get lucky and will pull 1 set 500 + miles, other nights I will stop at 2-4 terminals and have to hook a set each step of the way. The demands are greater, but so is the pay.

I will not even consider being a day driver, as those guys sling alot of freight all day, and sometimes have 15-20 stops. No thanks. Too old for that crap. Definately for the younger guys.

If you think you can go from training to LTL, or just go to LTL at anytime, think again. Most of those jobs are hard to come by.

[Sealord]

Most guys can't afford to start on a casual board of an LTL company. BOL

[redsfan]

Finally, if it was not for OTR drivers the local guys would have a lot less freight to haul. :P :P :P

HA! How true is that?! Good stuff!!!

Not to mention the fact that I, personnally, don't want a whole lot to do with any wiggle wagons...

[feederfred]

especially if there are three in a row.....

[Kintama]

I'll tell you why, CALL BOARD. I hate the call board, nothing like waiting all day for a call then get one at midnight telling you to come in at 2am. Of course this is after you've been up all day.

2. Newbies get all of the wonderful grocery warehouse, make 1 pallet into 5,000.

I've worked for USF Reddaway and Fed Ex Freight. Reddaway was pretty decent except for the call board, and Fed Ex sucked with all of the Grocery crap.

[ben45750]

I have to agree that living by the phone does suck, Roadway gives you a "slide" where you can request to be called back in 4 hours if the board jumps (increase in freight), so that does help a little but not much.

The money is still good if your with the right company while your still on the extra board. I worked for Conway and now with Roadway, I didn't do that bad at Conway but Roadway's system works out better for guy's with less seniority because if the freight in your area is slow you can go on the road where ever they need you because of an increase in freight in a different area. Plus if your on the road and freight slows down you get paid to wait for freight. I guess it's all about what you willing to do for a good paycheck?

As for the doubles..... rather pull a set any day of the week that a long box. Any one who pulls doubles know what I mean, just something you get used too and feel comfortable with. Unfortunately word is around Roadway is that doubles are getting phased out. All the new equipment coming in are long box's and twin screw trucks.

[DRIVERMAN77077]

work for 28 cents a mile

[yoopr]

Well for starters not everyone likes doing local type work. Many would like to spend more time running the open roads than constantly fighting city traffic.

Next those type of jobs are not available everywhere, and in some places where they do have them the competition is fierce.

Next there are many companies that are now paying around 40 cpm for 1 or 2 years experience so the gap is less than it was a few years ago.

Finally, if it was not for OTR drivers the local guys would have a lot less freight to haul. :P :P :P

LOL and you're right-Not everybody likes LTL-especially ME

[Crete_drvr]

I've worked for USF Reddaway and Fed Ex Freight. Reddaway was pretty decent except for the call board, and Fed Ex sucked with all of the Grocery crap.

I'm soooooo close to applying at USF Holland. How physically demanding is LTL, generally.

[teamster]

It depends on who you go with. I never worked for holland, but I did work for Yellow who now owns holland. If you are going to go on the road, if you can walk to the truck, hold a steering wheel, and occasionally drop or hook a trailer, you will be fine. City driving or dock will be different though.

[Crete_drvr]

thanks for the response teamster.

I'm totally happy with Crete, I just want more hometime then what they can offer. I don't want to be home every weekend, I want to sleep in my own bed! Besides a weekend to alot of companies is home friday night 8pm-midnight and leave sunday afternoon, no thanks.

USF must be hurting for drivers in my hometown terminal because they are looking for "Local and Linehaul/OTR Drivers".

OK n00b question, what's the difference between linehaul and OTR? Linehaul is terminal-to-terminal and OTR is what I'm doing now?

[teamster]

thanks for the response teamster.

I'm totally happy with Crete, I just want more hometime then what they can offer. I don't want to be home every weekend, I want to sleep in my own bed! Besides a weekend to alot of companies is home friday night 8pm-midnight and leave sunday afternoon, no thanks.

USF must be hurting for drivers in my hometown terminal because they are looking for "Local and Linehaul/OTR Drivers".

OK n00b question, what's the difference between linehaul and OTR? Linehaul is terminal-to-terminal and OTR is what I'm doing now?

Not sure why they are advertising for OTR. I have never seen an ad for them say OTR, as far as I know their linehaul guys stay out for a week, unless they are on a turn bid or something like that. Keep in mind when entering the LTL arena, the first several years can be very frustrating. You will be at the bottom for a long time working inconsistent shifts, runs, etc.. Your income will be hard to figure. You may make 1500 this week, and then 0 the next. They are always hiring, because turnover is high with the bottom guys and they over hire. I went through orientation with 20+ guys at Yellow and most of them quit rather quickly. If you can deal with those types of things and be willing to put the time in you will have a very good and secure job,but it will not be easy.

[Crete_drvr]

Keep in mind when entering the LTL arena, the first several years can be very frustrating.

I read your reply rather quickly and this statement didn't register with me until I read it a second time (I'm tired) FIRST SEVERAL YEARS :shock: you must be kidding? No way would I give up my current income to put up with $750 a week.

Not sure why they are advertising for OTR. I have never seen an ad for them say OTR

here it is:
http://www.usfc.com/usfc/careers/job...tails3387.html

So will there be times when I wont have any work? Man that sucks. I wish I could talk to one of them on the CB but the majority of them don't have 'em.

[teamster]

It would be worth talking to USF. Maybe they have something to offer that will give you work. Those guys have cbs, but alot of times they are running together and will use a different channel. You wont find them on 19 unless bad weather or road closure or something like that.

[Crete_drvr]

You wont find them on 19 unless bad weather or road closure or something like that.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Why wouldn't someone wanna listen to ch 19?? I don't get it

The smartest people in the world are on sesame street. I get all my investment advice and advice on family issues there. Life is good.

[teamster]

If you want to get into LTL you would probably be better off finding a smaller LTL carrier in your area. The hours might be better and probably more steady, escpecially if you go local P&D. the pay wont be quite as high, but it will be close.

[Smooth]

LTL is the way to go now , I have a friend ahead of me on the extra board , he is #118 I am #175 , he's been there 3 years . First year he made 31k , next year 46k then this year he's on pace for 65k . It just goes up from there . I don't mind OTR , I like the fact that you get an assigned truck , but you just don't get paid like you should , Working for Yellow , I finally will be paid what I'm worth in 2 years when I'm at the full rate . It will be groundbreaking when a large OTR company finally starts paying an hourly rate (even if it's only 12 bucks an hour) for fueling,unloading/loading right away,waiting on anything, I would have had 30+ hours a week that I didn't get paid . 30hrsx$12=$360 extra a week,that and my usually 3200 miles at .38 cpm like I got at Roehl would compare with an LTL veteran drivers paycheck .