current contributions under NMFA (Master Freight Agreement) are around 3.90 per hour for each hour worked. This just goes to the pension fund and is credited towards your retirement. UPS contributions are slightly higher than NMFA. This is over and above your "regular" wages..

oh, i thought is was more. but it looks like ABF wants to make changes to the pension anyway similar to UPS single employer plan.
Hope it works out

Hey does anyone know if UPS freight is Union or Non union. Maybe I could get in their OTR for 6 months or so gain some seniority and wait for a available slot as a feeder driver. Or does it really not matter since they are 2 different divisions? I wonder if ups freight offers the same benifits as UPS. Im guessing not. If I went the freight route for a short period that wouldnt be bad I also would like to learn flatbedding - securment.

I have been looking for a position with ABF here in the Memphis area, and I never see anything advertised. I would think they have opennings here, but the internet never shows anything. I do not have a CDL and would have to start out on a dock, but I would prefer to be trained by the LTL company. Does anyone have any recommendations on any good LTL carriers that might provide me with that opportunity in the Memphis area?

Wolf.

UPS Freight is an LTL company formerly called Overnite before UPS bought us. We compete for the same business as Yellow, ABF, Conway etc. We were non union but that is changing as terminals have started voting for union representation. We have excellent pay and benefits. Top pay is 54.89/mile for road drivers and 21.80/hr for city drivers. We have a company paid pension plus a 50% company match on 401k contributions (which we will lose if we go union). The OTR division is called "UPS Freight Truckload". I dont know their pay/benefits but it is not as good as ours, probably similar to other OTR companies. "Feeder" is a term exclusive to UPS Parcel (Package) for tractor trailer drivers. I'm a road driver, I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.

UPS Freight employs part-time dockworkers and we do train some of them to drive. If you already have a CDL we can hire for full time combo dock/w cdl, road driver, or city driver. Note that we are a different division than Package. Package pays better down the road but a full time job takes years to get. Feeders (package tractor trailers) can take 10-15 years to get. Check this link for openings in UPS Freight. http://ltl.upsfreight.com/aboutus/index.aspx

Hey Snowman -

Thanks again for the info. Right now Im just trying to narrow down my options. I really like the idea of UPS or ABF etc. We have pretty much decided that this is the route I wil go. If I have to go over the road for a short time that wouldnt be bad, as long as I would get quality home time. I really dont mind the idea of the casual postion for the time being. Since I am a carpenter I can always drum up work, just not benifits and a retirement package thats worth anything. What I really do not like about the casual postion is the no insurance issue and also when I do graduate school I really want to drive right away so my new skills do not become rusty. Whats your opinion on this try to get into UPS freight as a road driver and then continously apply for a local postion until 1 opens up. Would I be able to make a lateral move like that in the company? Whats your home time like working for UPS freight? I could haul flatbeds working for them - correct? I really would like to try the flatbed thing for a little while, I suppose its just due to the varity.

Good thing your not here we had 1' of snow 2 days ago and right now I can see my grass in the yard. Also theriver I live on could possibly open if the warm weather holds out for a few more days.

Thanks again

No such thing as that in OTR. You'll be out 2 weeks at a time at least and then home for 1-2 days.

A city driver works days and picks up and delivers freight from customers. A road driver works nights and takes the freight back and forth to other terminals (hubs) returning the next morning, I'm home everyday, off weekends and holidays. We require a year of experience, doubles, and hazmat to apply for city or road. If you dont have a cdl you could only apply for part-time dock. If you have a cdl, but no experience, you could apply for "full time dock/ w cdl". You would primarily work the dock plus help in the city and you would get paid hourly at driver pay plus all benefits. "Truckload" is a different division that has nothing to do with us, they are like OTR and I believe they require experience, their pay is not as good as ours. It's confusing, I know! :lol:

Colts Fan get your hazmat and doubles endorsement and you could apply for "full time dock w/cdl". You alraedy have your cdl right? We have a terminal in Indy.