Rookie LTL driver…bad slowdown in Texas. Should I go back to flatbed?

Tough to say what the best direction will be for you, in all honesty.

Economically, things are very odd. It has been a while since I’ve been at the wheel of a truck, but my experience taught me that LTL was a great bellwether of where the country stood as far as the economy. I’d have to imagine flatbed is volatile as well. Not to mention, those winter contracts that the flatbed company has don’t mean anything if the customer goes out of business.
You’re in a tough spot, driver. What did you do before you started trucking?

 

I may be a little biased, but I always recommend LTL drivers try to tough it out as long as they can. In LTL, seniority is everything and your job becomes better the longer you stay. That being said, if you're at the point where you can't pay your bills, it's understandable that you'd want to move on. Just try to keep your long term plans in mind when you make any employment decisions.

And as far as time off goes, have you even asked if your manager would allow you to take additional unpaid time off? I had no issues doing that with 2 of my 3 managers during my time at FedEx Freight.

One other thing I'll add, is that if you enjoy being home every day, you should take the time to look into other local jobs instead of just resigning yourself to going regional for a company because of one person suggesting it. As an example, grocery companies like H-E-B and Randall's/Tom Thumb are known to pay competitively and they're more insulated from the ebbs and flows of the general freight market.

 

Seniority only sucks when you don’t have any, when you have it years from now you will be glad you did what it took to stay put. Find something local that will work you on the days your full time job doesn’t need you that won’t jeopardize it. Many companies work casuals (part time) and some pay well. Check with concrete companies and anything else you can think of. Freight has always experienced slow downs occasionally and it will eventually pick back up.

 

Same spot as OP this past winter. Low seniority running combo spot. 2 hour days sometimes pushing brooms or painting parking bollards. Other days no work.

If I could have stayed I'd have been laid off in September anyways when the bids were done. This winter looks bad. I know a few buddies there with 20 years in making less than 1k a week. I went to fuel as it was the only thing hiring. It's a crap company and I'm working 60 hours a week to make 1/2-2/3 what I was making in 50 hours a week LTL.

I'm bitter and sick of the trucking world. Times are lean and being the lowest guy at a crappy company is even worse.

Flatbed usually dies off in the winter too. Those winter contracts might vanish.

I liked regional more than local. 12-14 hour days with a 45-60 minute commute each way makes for a lot of 5-6 hours of sleep nights and groundhog day living. Wake up, get ready in a rush, fight traffic into work. Rush and run wide open at work, knock out 10-15 miles of walking a day, rush home, go to bed asap. Do it all over again. I hate local.

Tough spot driver, and a lot more will be in your position coming soon.

 

Worked at SEFL for 9 years. I'd advise you to stick it out. Pick up a side job on the weekends if you need to. Look long term with trucking. They don't layoff so you'll keep your benefits. Ask for dock work if it's available.

 

Moved out of their service area. See if you can find something on the side. I wouldn't mention it though. It's slowing down in a lot of areas right now.

 

It's normal to slow down now but every terminal is different. Moved back to NY to care for family. If anything get your experience with SEFL. Job switching to much can actually set you back. Id Uber or door dash on the side or find anything that has weekend availability to help out during the slow season.