SEFL, ODFL, or R+L

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by Lucky1992, Apr 6, 2016.

  1. Lucky1992

    Lucky1992 Bobtail Member

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    So I am thinking of making the move from OTR to local/LTL. I live in Pensacola FL and these 3 companies are about all there is here.

    I called all 3 and only R+L has p&d and line haul. The other 2 companies only run local p&d. Out of these 3 companies which one would be the best pick for a long term career? I've heard alot of good things about all 3.

    I've done some research but I really don't know a whole lot about running ltl. If anyone here has opinions or works for one of these companies, please tell me your experiences with them.
     
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  3. Radman

    Radman Road Train Member

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    I choose the one that has a linehaul & P&D as options. Not everyone can do P&D for 20yrs (physical work) Also you might try linehaul not like it and go back to P&D vise versa. Or you need more money and jump to linehaul. Even though ODFL gets a lot of praise their P&D doesn't get OT. R&L pays 25.87 topped out and I believe they have OT. SEFL I have no idea. If OD had linehaul too id jump there but not having options to me is a killer. Not everyone likes P&D. When I was at Foodservice(similar, stops, delivery, customers, a bit more physical then P&D) for a year towards the end I would open my trailer at the start of the day and be like"am I really gonna unload trailers for the rest of my life?" I personally have more longevity in linehaul in my mental health and physically I'd rather kill my body at the gym on my time then at work.
     
  4. rodman71

    rodman71 Light Load Member

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    All of these companies run linehaul. They might not be hiring for that at the moment but they run it.P&D is hourly pay during the day and linehaul is usually at night pay is by the mile.
     
  5. Bob Dobalina

    Bob Dobalina Road Train Member

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    @Lucky1992 I talked to a former SEFL driver yesterday who had to leave because he moved out of their territory. He said P&D there didn't pay overtime, but that it was a great place to work (at least at his terminal). I'm not sure about R&L, but I think all three are in the same boat where there is essentially no time-and-a-half pay (or only after 60 hours or whatever).

    If linehaul is what you want right away, you should obviously go straight to R&L, but many LTLs offer those positions in house to P&D drivers before hiring off the street. However, OD is growing so fast that you could probably move to linehaul eventually. My only concern for you would be your location. Pensacola might not have the type of terminals that have a ton of road drivers. You could spend some time waiting on someone to retire and have other drivers ahead of you waiting on that spot.

    The reason I say that is the OD terminal there looks to have around 24 doors, according to the satellite view, whereas a big one with lots of opportunities might have over 150 doors. It seems like there isn't a bunch of freight moving in and out of Pensacola.
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2016
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  6. kimbosa

    kimbosa Medium Load Member

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    Od is a good company but they dont pay over time. I would see if there was a fedex freight they pay over time after every 8 . And if you can't do a lot of hand freight go line haul.
     
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  7. De Trucker

    De Trucker Medium Load Member

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    R&L doesn't pay overtime either.
     
  8. Lucky1992

    Lucky1992 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for all the information guys. The Old dominion terminal here is very small, they only have like 12 trucks maybe a few more. Roughly the same size as the rest of those companies around here.

    Pensacola is a rough place for freight, but I hear that a new amazon Warehouse is opening up in milton so it might add a little more freight.

    I think after alot of thought and alot more research plus the help of you guys I may try to get in with r&l. They seem to have a better operation than the rest.

    The FedEx freight yard here is extremely small. The ups warehouse here is also small and NEVER hires except seasonal jobs around the holidays.
     
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  9. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    R+L will hire someone for linehaul off the street, unlike other companies.

    FedEx has entirely too much micromanagement for my comfort.
     
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  10. 1catfish

    1catfish Road Train Member

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  11. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    One thing with R+L.

    Some of their city runs can go pretty far from the barn, maybe a hundred miles or more. That is where I would personally want to be if I were looking.

    Basically, the further from the terminal you go, the better off you are.
     
    Mike2633 Thanks this.
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