Thinking of making the move to LTL...

I have to say that I'm a bit surprised that you can't make ends meet with a food service driving job. Traditionally they are the best paying. I worked at Sysco out of Philadelphia for about 8 years and have yet to find a job where I can make the level of pay I did and be home every night. If you think the LTL companies are going to be better, I personally think your in for a rude awakening. Not trying to be rude, just honest. I would give it more time, but you have to do what's for you.

 

It all depends. Linehaul or p&d? OD, FXF, UPSF, ABF after top out Linehaul drivers make 90-100k+ on meet and turns, home daily without lifting a box. Now P&D top I've heard is around 70k for the top paying companies. I know Foodservice makes good money after you've been there but I don't know if they surpass linehaul drivers at the top companies making .60+cpm. Of course you got to put your time in to make that.

Also for me getting up at 2am-3am, then work 14hrs, and try to go to bed at 7pm-9pm daily was pretty miserable for me. Maybe the OP struggles with that shift too, I know I did.

I would apply to all of them even with only 2 months Exp. These companies advertise taking students on. I can tell you Reddaway will hire you right now. They hire p&d with no exp. Not the best pay compared to the others in pay but not a bad company either. Once you have LTL exp you can go to any LTL company as long as you keep your nose clean.

 

Radman nailed it. Reddaway / A. Duie Pyle / ABF / Holland and NEMF will work with you.
Honestly, I think you food service guys are in the same boat as us LTL folks. Always a labor day ( depending on Line haul / P&D ). Just changing who pays you. grass isn't greener.


I couldn't do food service, Dealing with on site restaurant manager /employees who accepts loads after hours wanting to go home after pulling 8-16hr shift. The reefer side of trucking really turns me off. Hats off to you food service folks.

Flip side LTL P&D sucks when getting new accounts/locations/Residentials/commericals/ Think hard OP. Grass isn't always greener.





Most fools ( including me and tons of others and your yourself OP ) can work tractor trailers and it's needed hole to accept lmao. Company politics/ Paperwork/ Vendor politics should be what your focus is on. Driving the tractor trailer is the easiest part of the day.




Keep us updated BIGreem

 

Yup - Radman and Shaggy got it.

ODFL is building a big new terminal there in your Swift town, A bit further west of the current one. About time too - the last one was getting crowded. 43rd Ave, South of Buckeye currently, can't remember where the new location is.

They've taken students straight from school when they have to - so with 2 months you're a leg up on that.

Keep us posted - Job shopping is fun! Buyers remorse is the bug bear. Good luck!

 

Keep in mind at many LTL companies you'll be in the same position as you are now as many will only hire you as a casual first, meaning you may well not work everyday just like what you're doing now IF they'll take you with your limited experience. Just fill out their apps and call them after a couple days, it wouldn't hurt.

 

Would this company's initials be "CM" by any chance?

 

Are A. Duie Pyle or NEMF anywhere near Phoenix? I've never seen them out here.