ABF Freight Advise?

Discussion in 'YRC' started by Sean_Memphis, Apr 20, 2015.

  1. Sean_Memphis

    Sean_Memphis Light Load Member

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    [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Still no ABF Forum and I need some good advise: [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]I [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]have an interview for a dock worker @ ABF next week. Ultimately, I want to get my cdl and be a union driver. Whats my best career move...[/FONT]starting out on the dock and hope for the best in moving into a driver position/training or go to one of the mega starter companies and get my cdl/experience and then try to get in down the road. Thanks!
     
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  3. texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

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    Sean, ABF is a great company. I just got hired on a week ago.

    ABF will pay for you to get your CDL if that's what you want to do. They send their folks to Fort Smith, AR for training.


    You probably will have to work the dock for a little while at first, but if you decide to go the CDL route they will put you in there.


    EDIT: I would NOT go to a mega company if I were you!!! Like I said, even if you have to work the dock a few months, it's totally worth it IMHO.


    Good luck in whatever you decide to do.


    By the way: Where are you located?
     
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  4. Sean_Memphis

    Sean_Memphis Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the reply. I'm down South. Your a driver? How did you start out?
     
  5. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    I would go for the interview and do what it took to get my foot in the door. Skip the mega's, I have heard good things about ABF and think it would be a awesome start and maybe a final career choice for you. I put an application in here w/ABF and haven't got a response back, but I have a cdl no endorsements but I'd start on the dock to get started with them.

    Good luck!
     
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  6. texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

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    I'm just a dock worker for now. I have to wait a couple months before I turn 21 then I can drive.


    I came in with already having my CDL (I didn't know much about LTL Freight before I signed up for a school) but I still have to go through their driving academy since I have less than 6 months of experience (which is fine with me - get all the time with a trainer you can!).
     
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  7. Sean_Memphis

    Sean_Memphis Light Load Member

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    My issue is I'm 38 and making a career change. Hell, if I was 20 w/a CDL it would be a no brainer starting on the dock w/ABF.

    texasbbqbest: Did you work w/someone else driving or are you just out of school?
     
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  8. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    Sean I'm 41 and starting a second career. I didn't get a cdl till January and went to work with H O Wolding. It's all what you want it to be.
     
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  9. texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

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    I'm just out of school.

    I totally understand not being able to wait it out.

    Not sure of your full situation (kids, wife, what your salary requirements are, etc.). If I were in your shoes, I'd still go to the interview at ABF and explain your situation and expectations. They may be able to set you up in a better position.

    I still wouldn't go to the Megas. Most of those companies don't pay worth a crap.

    I hope I've helped you a little bit. Hopefully someone on here with more experience will chime in at some point.

    Where is Chinatown when you need him?
     
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  10. Sean_Memphis

    Sean_Memphis Light Load Member

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    Did you get your cdl on your own? I 'm not saying my age is a factor getting into trucking...just that it may be starting out on the dock and trying to work my way up over a number of years.
     
  11. Sean_Memphis

    Sean_Memphis Light Load Member

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    Memphis, TN
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    The manager who called me to set-up the interview...did make it clear he was hiring for a dock worker...so I'm not expecting anything more then that. Are you a dock/driver or? Did they talk to you about driving FT when they hired you? How much forklift exp. did you have?
     
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