Any Freight Drivers Out There

Yeah.. I read around here from time to time. I just read the responses to my only post here and decided I'd come back. Any questions about the good old parent company or freight side I'll tell you what I can.

 

Can't PM yet - not enough posts. Yeah, the freight side is booming right now. All terminals are bringing back all drivers on lay-off and hiring on top of that. Hiring 15-20 drivers at some terminals. The new management at Freight seems to be much more open about what they are trying to do than our former chiefs. John L. seems much better than Dave M. and it is starting to filter down. They have stated they are aggressively going after market share at this point. The East Region seems to have picked up a lot after USF Holland pulled out of the area. Also, we have seen an increase in day/night line-haul because they are eliminating some vans as we get drivers back to pull the freight ourselves. They are also starting to put the new trucks that were parked back in service because we need more trucks. So all in all, business is heavy over here on the freight side. They have also stated when capacity decreases on our side, we will go after the rates again. From what I've been told by our management, Freight and Truckload are not the cheapest options, but both our rates are at near all time lows - however both companies are doing surprisingly well given the economy. Hope it keeps going..

How are you guys making out on the Truckload side?? Miles, freight, etc..

 

I drive team for truckload and the miles are good. Our last couple of loads have been con way freight loads between phoenix and new columbia- 2300 miles a trip. I'm glad to hear things are picking up on the freight side, that's good news for everyone. Conway freight loads are our favorite to pull.

 

10-4. I know the Milton (New Columbia) terminal has freight falling off the dock anymore. We are still a little below freight levels at this time last year but we are doing well considering the shape the LTL industry is in. They have stated to us that they are cutting vans out of 2 day points (Newark, NJ - Louisville, Ky is one) but will continue to use them for the coast to coast stuff.

Glad to hear your getting miles. Sounds like they can be hard to come by.

 

I would wager that our jobs at CNWY Truckload and Freight are about as secure as you can get at this point in time given the economic uncertainty. This company has done things that make me want to scream at times but I'm glad I work here when it comes down to it. They have told us on the Freight side that the 5% and other take-backs will be reviewed. My opinion, just my opinion, we will get the 401K and the 5% pay reduction back by the end of the year. As the stock continues to climb and they will have no choice IMO.

This company is savvy in terms of running its operations. Sometimes they will make you want to pull you hair out but CNWY will do whatever it needs to do to survive and turn a profit. I can tell you guy's who are newer to CNWY that this is no rag-tag operation. These are pretty good jobs we have.

 

Sorry, can't PM yet not enough posts. Con Way sounds like a pretty good company to work for especially with what is out there! They are hiring for LTL drivers in the Springfield MO area.

 

I would say yes we have. The Northeast has gained a great deal since Holland pulled out. The latest bump is due to us going after the big 20,000lb LTL shipments truckload carriers have been pulling. We have much better service all around - better transit time, better price, and an experienced Freight P&D driver showing up for the shipment instead of some dude speaking broken English and smells like poo..

This is a double edged sword for us Freight drivers though - we have an operating ratio to meet to get our 5% back after paying for Truckload with our wages. I have stated the company will have no choice but to bump us beyond where we were as the stock continues to rise - I stick by that.

As far as YRC goes, no Freight driver in their right mind wants them to cease operations. This would only open the door for further erosion of pay and bennies in the LTL industry.