Just figured I'd give some of you folks a heads up on some great job opportunities. I just got out of school a week and a half ago and I already landed a local LTL job. This is the closest company you'll find that pays union wages without being a union job.

The company is Con-Way Freight. I know of two terminals. The one I got hired on at is in Eagan, MN. It is located on Dodd Rd right next to the UPS terminal. As a matter of fact Con-Way and UPS share the same driveway. If any of you are familiar with Thomson West/Reuters it is directly across the street from their global campus. The other terminal is much larger and located out of Fridley, MN.

Here is what I have gathered during my journey through the hiring process.

PAY:
*Starting pay is $18.75/hr and caps out at $23.65/hr (or until they give raises).

*Overtime is paid after 8 hours, not your normal 40. Overtime pay is 1.5x your hourly which means for starters you are paid $28.12/hr.

*If you get assigned line haul for the night (week, whatever) you are paid mileage pay. The mileage pay is $.44/mile. If you are fueling, at the customers dock, or NOT driving behind the wheel you are getting your hourly pay.


BENEFITS:
*Company provided health, dental, vision, etc. for a very small fee.

*3% 401k match in cash, 3% match in company stock.

*Annual profit sharing that benefits from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on company profitability - last year the average driver received I believe he said $2,600.

*Home every day, weekends off - unless you pick up overtime shifts.

*Company provided 11 uniforms (pants, shorts, shirt, hats, back supports, gloves, etc.)

*Reimbursement for endoresements or HazMat



CONS:
*When you first start you work the "flex-board" which means your shifts can start whenever they need you. You might start at 8am, 9am, 11am, 3pm, or possibly even 3am if they need you to do line haul. This will be the norm for up to the first year (from what I was told) and then you actually bid for your shift. I also spoke to a new driver who has only been there for 4 months and he is already on his own dedicated shift.

*Trucks are ran at 62mph - not sure if this is good or bad for LTL, but figured I'd stick it here.

*You also need to work the dock a few hours a day, possibly your entire shift if required, and operate a fork lift - again, not sure if this is bad as I don't really care and you are still making the $18.75/hr.



OTHER:
**You must have Doubles/Triples endorsement to apply. You are also required to get HazMat within 60 days of employment.

**They obviously send you off for drug screen and new DOT card no matter what.

**Training pay is $750/wk for the first 2 weeks, then the 3rd week is your normal hourly. The $750/wk is the same as making $18.75/hr for 40 hours. You are paid the same regardless of any overtime was worked or not worked.

**They gave me a 10 mile behind the wheel, had my do a pre-trip inspection, couple/uncouple, alley dock, and that's basically it.

**For city driving you are driving a 2 axle "girl" truck and a 28' pup trailer. Line haul they run twin pup trailers.

**Target for 1st year employees is $55,000-$65,000. After 1 year $65,000+. If you bid and take line haul as your route you'll make $.48 after 1 year and clear $80,000/yr.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I appreciate all of the information. I just started looking for something local as this OTR thing is getting really old, fast. Also, I noticed your username. What kind of car do you drive?

There are a few local LTL places that are good. This is definately better than the OTR experience.

As far as my usernam goes? I've had many LSX vehicles.:

2001 Camaro Z28
2002 Corvette Z06
2002 Camaro SS
2005 GTO
2006 Trailblazer SS <-- current vehicle