LTL instability
 

I have been looking at a lot of the LTL companies. It looks like Old Dominion and Yellow will take newbs directly out of trucking school. After reading some posts on other sites, it looks like there have been a lot of layoffs in the industry due to lack of freight as a result of a sluggish economy. Turnover also appears significantly lower, about 14%.

A couple of questions:

1. What kind of work will a newb do with an LTL carrier. Is there a lot of dock work? Or do you hit the road.

2. What type of driving is preferred, city or linehaul? How often are you home when you do linehaul?

Thanks,

John

What is a typical LTL workday like ? How long is it usually ? On an average, how many pickups and drops are done everyday, without having the need to be constantly rushed for time ? What's the work-pressure like ? Thanks

I have done pick up and delivery and I am currently doing linehaul.

Pick up and delivery could be anywhere from 10 - 14 hours a day. I have had days driving 320 miles or so and 15 stops. A long tiring day.

Dock work varies. Some places have docks, some don't. Some places I had to hook a chain to the freight so they can pull it to the back and pick up the freight with the bucket of their tractor.

With the linehaul I'm doing now, it's just drive 4 1/2 hours then drop and hook and return to my home terminal.

Linehaul is usually done at night, which can be tiring at times. But I prefer linehaul to pick up and delivery.

Good luck.

LTL is prone to layoffs. You have to build seniority and that can take some time if a particular location has low turnover. LTL has low turnover overall, so it can be volatile until you get that seniority.

In my opinion, linehaul is way better than P&D. Depending on who you work for, you may drop and return in one trip or spend the night and return the next day. Some of the better LTL companies pay for a hotel and don't do sleeper berths.

My brother-in-law works LTL in the chicago area. He said it is gravy if you can last the first 18 - 24 months.

Yeah, a lot of the companies will place you as a part-time dock worker. You may have to hang out for a while, til they can put you in the truck full time. A friend of mine drives for Fed Ex. He's been there for over a year now, and he is still on the extra board.

I'm in line-haul and I love it. i go to the same places, know my milage, what day im home and when I leave out on mondays. Much less stress that OTR.
Local P&D sucked for me, so Im glad I went to linehaul apart form the fact that Im as pale as a vampire from running at night and have a fucked up sleep pattern.

I'm living that same exact life One, although there aren't any good biscuits and gravy up here.

The only reason I would go back OTR is to see daylight during the week.

My company is non union. No layoffs and seniority doesn't do much for you except for amount of vacation time and who gets to go first.

The hours kinda suck, but I have a no pressure position.

My first LTL company I worked for was bad, but having docks 6 inches apart will help you polish your backing skills real quick