Even though I'm primarily interested in driving bulkers ( as that's what I have experience in, and like to do as well ), I'd like to keep my options open, since, when I start applying for jobs upon my move to western PA, I'll be starting off as a rookie, with no experience, and won't exactly be in a position to pick and choose.

Of late, LTL has begun to interest me a mite, primarily because of the hometime and the pay. The only thing I'm still unsure of is the dock-work aspect, as I'm loathe to lugging stuff around ( unless it's a hose & fittings ) due to a damaged left knee and a dodgy back.

What I've gleaned from this board is that almost all unionised LTL companies start rookies off in the docks, and they ( the rookies ) have to depend upon father time and dame luck to claw their way up the seniority scale to get to a full-time driving position.

That being said, what about non-union LTL companies ? Is there any such creature in existence ? Do they hire rookies ? How does one find a driving position with them ?

Any information will be highly appreciated.

 

I work for Central Transport -- a non-union LTL carrier.

In the past, Central has had a horrible reputation and many on here will acknowledge that. However, in my opinion, they are s-l-o-w-l-y turning things around.

I'm a city driver. 90% of the time I don't finger-print the freight. We get the freight to the end of the trailer and from there (dock or non-dock) the customer is responsible for moving it (unless the customer pays extra for me to move it--which is rare).

As far as dock work, sometimes I load my trailer in the morning with a forklift, sometimes it is preloaded. In the evenings, we are required to unload our trailers and place the freight on linehaul trailers. So...you will be operating a forklift.

Linehaul drivers (night runs) hook up to the trailer and take it to a hub. There they hop on a forklift, unload their trailer weighing each piece of freight, and put it on the proper outbound trailer. They then drive back to the terminal, hop on a forklift, and unload their trailer again and load the city trucks.

I'm sure other LTL drivers will chime in how it works at their barns.

 

www.truckingboards.com has most LTL companies represented and a ton of LTL drivers. I think that question would be best answered there.

 

Thanks for your response, Wheels. How long have you been working for them ? Do you get laid-off every year, as seems to be the norm with other LTL companies ? How many pickups and drops do you average every day ? Do you know if your company hires rookies for driving positions ? Would love to hear from you again. Thanks.

 

PJAX
Pitt-Ohio Express
Old Dominion(non-union in this area)
ESTES(Has a terminal close to New Castle, PA)
Pyle
Ward

 

I have been driving for a non union LTL company for the past 2 years
(actually 2 different companies)

There has never been any lay offs. Maybe an early night here or there or a night off. But never more than one day off at a time.

With my company the dock work for the driver depends on their run.

I just got off a run where I was spending 3 hours on the dock breaking 2 trailers and loading mine.

Now I am on a longer driving run where I just do a drop and hook and return to my home terminal. The most I do on a dock now is leave my footprint in the dust. Oh happy day

At the 2 non union LTL companies I have worked for. If you are hired as a driver you drive, most of the dock workers don't have CDLs.

I think in the long run the union jobs would be better, but I don't want to go thru the pecking order process to get where I want to be. I already did that in construction years ago.

I am home everyday, but working nights can really mess up your schedule even on the weekend.

 

R+L CARRIERS. I just started three weeks ago, they have terminals in PA, are non-union and dont require you to start to work at the dock. I actually applied for city driving where you have to UNLOAD at most customers yourself with your own pallet jack. Since they had only a position open for linehaul I thought I give that a shot. I drive now only nights MO-FRI and just switch my trailers with another driver in a macys parking lot. I dont have to deal with ugly traffic and unloading anymore. Next to that I am HOME in my OWN bed every day, no ugly showers in ugly truck stops anymore, either.
Also no more BS from shippers, receivers,dispatch or DMs.

 

Fed Ex is non-union. (I think)

 

Yep, they are non-union

 

Well 99.99% Non union. IIRC the pilots for the express component are union.