looking to get into ltl/linehaul

FFE still runs terminal to terminal dedicated, but you've gotta stick around for a while to grab one, and you've gotta run teams on it for a good little while.

Paid good, DM that manages it was good, still FFE though.

 

Check if Ferrellgas or Amerigas have any openings in your area.

Which city do you live in?

 

R&L Carriers has always impressed the heck out of me. Their city drivers are like family when they walk through the dock doors. They are taken very good care of and well respected. Probably wouldn't be easy getting in since their turnover is near zero... but it's worth a shot.

 

Try these websites:

Careerjet
Jobs2Careers

Edit : JBS Carriers has a Texas dedicated that supposed to average $160.00 a day.

 

[h=2]Equipment Operator (East & West Service Center)[/h]Travis County 6 reviews - Center, TX[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="class: snip"]Drives and operates light and heavy equipment, including track and pneumatic tire excavation equipment, loaders, backhoes and dozers, class I-IV motorgraders,... $13.59 - $16.65 an hour
30 days ago - save job - block - email - more...[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

Check with the Old Dominion terminal in your area. I can tell you right now the company is growing and we need drivers, both P/D and Linehaul.

 

OP: I have 3 years of OTR experience Dry Van. I have all my Endorsements (Hazmat, Tanker, Double/triple). I work for Conway Truckload right now, and they've been fair, but I want more money. I am a bigger guy, but i've done contract work for TXDOT on the highway and I managed to do so without stroking out so I think I would be alright.

My main question is where should I go? And what should I expect. My teammate quit on me to get back into flying. We had been looking into a nice home weekly dedicated run.

Where you go will depend on where you live. Different LTL/regional carriers are sometimes only located in certain areas.

I have no wife or kids, and day/nite doesn't matter to me. So if the hours are there I will take them.

Good. Because many LTL carriers only run their linehauls at night. There are exceptions (FxF runs their trucks 24 hours a day for instance)

I have never driven a sit-down forklift, but I am a quick study.

Most dockworkers that get hired on have never driven a forklift. There is not a whole lot to it. Just imagine each lever as an extension of your arms.

As an OTR driver I am familiar with the DOT rules, Weight Limits, and Proper Pretrips.

LTL has additional rules that you need to be familiar with. Mostly about the maximum legal length and route restrictions per state. Example: Rocky Mt doubles and triples are legal in Idaho, Utah, and Montana... once you start crossing the final I-90 bridge heading west after leaving Post Falls ID into Washington, you better not be pulling either since they are illegal in that state. If you get hired, find out what state(s) you will run... READ YOUR PERMITS!!!! Not all trucks are registered to operate in all regions your LTL carrier services!!!

I want to enjoy my life a little, and this OTR lifestyle is made for a more rambunctious soul than mine. I want a route that I can learn, or terminal to terminal. And if I can I want to go home every night and sleep in my own bed. If I never see the inside of a sleeper again it will be to soon.

Never spent a night in a sleeper. Some linehaul drivers will lay over on occasion, while others have a bid system set up where they will lay over every single trip. Layovers are spent in a company sponsored hotel where you will spend your 10 hours off.

If you are in the right area at the right time, you should not have any issues getting hired on. Check your local Craig's List under the "Transport" section to see who is hiring as well. NOTE: We are entering peak hiring season right now with freight picking up.


Any help would be appreciated, and company suggestions. I was thinking about Con-way Freight, but there are no driver openings near me, I'd have to relocate to Dallas (Closest) and the majority of my 53' van experience there was pretty unfun I can only imagine what the LTL heroes have to go through in the city proper.

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For additional info, check these threads I've opened up. Good luck on your search!

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...livery-trucking-forum/219844-what-is-ltl.html
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...forum/209092-typical-day-of-a-linedriver.html

 

Funny, I hear the exact opposite. Not Central Transport bad but, not great.


If LTL is what ya want, head over to truckingboards.com