With the Con-way Truckload buy-out of CFI already two weeks into the "transition," and because of a request from my previous post about working for Con-way, I want to take time to share with you a summary about our first 10 days with Con-way/CFI.

We'll start with our first load - Con-way freight from the Aurora, IL (SW Chicago suburb) terminal, bound for Santa Fe Springs, CA (SE Los Angeles) to be delivered Labor Day morning. While enroute, we call our new fleet manager at the Joplin, MO offices to advise him of our destination and arrival time. The Qualcom was still set to talk to Con-way (Memphis) and would automatically be changed over, new macros and all, on Labor Day morning. We arrive in CA, phone in to our original fleet manager at Memphis, wish him well in his new job, and macro in to Joplin. We also pick up the phone and call our new fleet manager to see where we're headed next.

I'll skip over the conversations which happened over Labor Day - but I will share with you the fact there were seven Con-way truckload tractors/teams parked at the Comfort Inn, Santa Fe Springs, CA because of a lack of loads until Wednesday or Thursday of that week. Not sure how the other teams came out - we were able to get under an empty trailer at Santa Fe Springs, then headed for the international drop-yard north of Calexico, CA.

Once there, we picked up a loaded trailer freshly transferred to this country, headed out for the drop yard in El Paso, Texas.

Upon dropping that trailer and paperwork, we grabbed a loaded trailer, headed for Con-way's terminal in Phoenix, AZ, where we had a 2:30 PST pickup time. Our load was blessed with multiple Haz-Mat shipments. Once the proper placarding was figured out, we were bound for Cincinnati, OH.

Dropping the trailer at the dock, we grabbed an empty trailer, headed for Columbus, OH, where we picked up a loaded trailer that was waiting for us, and headed for Des Moines, IA. We arrived plenty early - nearly a day and a half, which allowed us time to stop enroute to visit with relatives we hadn't seen in decades, plus get a 34 hour restart.

We delivered the live unload, and are now home for time off.

Each of the loads were truly drop and hook, with the exception of the Des Moines delivery. We took that load because it was the one that got us closest to home. And, aside from the 30 minute wait in Calexico for our trailer to arrive, our next load was waiting for us.

Hope this helps. We enjoyed Con-way truckload division we hired on with - and we believe we're going to enjoy the CFI managed Con-way truckload division. There are growing pains/hiccups... but when you suddenly add 250 teams literally overnight, fecal-matter occurs.

So, is all this teams? In other words, are there solo positions, or is it manditory teams?

I think that since they will be hauling Con-Way's volume and linehaul loads, there will be no room for solo's.

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Z-Lady's devoted hubby.

The Con-way/CFI truckload division has room for regional solos as well as teams.

The CFI drivers I've had the pleasure of coming into contact with are all very happy with the "family" we work for. I can speak with a degree of authority that this "family" feeling existed with the Con-way truckload division as well.

The core values of Con-way will exist in this new, combined organization. The number one value is "Safety"
The number two value is "Integrity"

Con-way is VERY serious about both these first two values. The driver decides if it's time to drive or park.

I am not a recruiter - I am a team driver. There are recruiting bonuses available, however, I'm not doing this for any bonuses - if you're interested in checking out our organization, please search out either Con-way TRUCKLOAD, or CFI's web-sites. NOTE: There is a LTL Con-way, so be sure you're hooking up with Truckload.

Shiny side up, folks

So how are CFI's benefits? do they have a rider program? how about a pet program? do they keep their trucks well maintained, how about the age of their power units, maintaince schedules, and what about getting you home in time for personal time/ time at home. do they have a vacation plan and one last thing, do they ahev it set- up where you're out for a week and earn a day off and can have no more than 5 days (banked) so to speak? any help would be great b/c i'm thinking about applying to CFI. Thanks in advance.

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"Coruage Is Being Scared To Death But Saddling Up Anyways...." John Wayne