[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]

Originally Posted by Uturn2001

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!!! :lol:

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