Experience with your LTL company

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by ACH1130, Sep 23, 2012.

  1. cool35

    cool35 Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2010
    Everywhere
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    Road Runner,
    Are they keeping you busy up there? I haven't worked all week.
     
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  3. mistermino

    mistermino Medium Load Member

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    May 25, 2011
    Boardman, Oh
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    With a year OTR now, I'm seriously looking at different options...

    Is there a LTL for newbies somewhere? I'll do my best to read up in the mean time, lol...
     
  4. HmrTime2

    HmrTime2 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 25, 2012
    Portland, Or
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    Hey road_runner,
    After reading another thread making it clear you don't necessarily have to start
    with otr, I'am making every effort to find an ltl with a line haul position avaliable.
    I recieved my CDL last month, do you have any pointers or advice that may be useful
    when applying? Thanks
    HmrTime2
     
  5. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Yeah. Been kinda random. I was called off once last week. For the most part, I run about 340 miles a night. Now that winter is hitting Montana, we can't pull triples anymore... so hopefully things will pick up more.
     
  6. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    My LTL company is headquartered in Portland. I would bang on some doors and ask around. We've had a few drivers retire. Guess a lot of guys don't wanna deal with the snow. When you submit your application, be sure you attach a copy of your CDL school diploma.
     
  7. ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    Land of far far away,
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    sorry been MIA for a while, just got my internet back tonight after Hurricane sandy... Yes MOST LTLS will hire you without experience. Some will hire you right away . Some you should start as a dock worker then move up to driving. CWF will hire you without experience but have to watch them, they like to play games. YRC, Estes, UPSF, ABF will all hire without experience, or even if you dont meet the exp level. YRC's road test is very laid back, they just take you out to see if you can handle the truck on some tight streets, as long as your not an idiot or drive wreckless they wont fail you.

    If you dont want to drive OTR you wont have too, I never spent a day OTR
     
  8. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Yeah, I agree with the road test for sure. Mine was administered by my veteran coworker. He also gave me a crash course on hooking sets. He never did fill out my actual score sheet aside from both our signatures and a check mark on the pass box.

    He did threaten me at the start that if I were to put the truck sideways at any point of the drive, he would put a big red x on the fail box. LOL.

    We pretty much ran a linehaul route and he showed me a bit on where they want their trailers parked. It was a paid training session. I did wish that they teamed me up with him for at least a week. He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. I could have learned a lot from him.
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  9. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Just be thankful you got one who would show you anything at all. These companies are not gonna spend a penny they don't have to.
     
  10. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    Elkhart, IN
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    I see guys with the newspaper over their heads all the time (figuratively speaking). They send you out into the north 40 to do pickups and often times there will be a lull in the action if its a slow day. But running back and forth from the terminal would be a waste of time and fuel, so it turns into power nap or web browsing time until they send you a dispatch.
     
  11. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Yeah, the little training I got was way to little to put me on good ground. On my second day at work I pulled my first rocky set. I missed a turn on a brand new route and tried to turn around at one of those scenic pull-offs. I ended up turning too sharp, and my long box in the front crushed the front corner of my rear box in the back. I was issued a letter of reprimand two weeks later for it. I was stunned that they didn't can me...

    My personal opinion, they should invest the extra money, and pair up a rookie LTL driver with a trainer for at least one week to figure out the routes, terminal locations/combos, and give guidance on hooking sets. Doesn't matter how much experience you got pulling single trailers, pulling sets and the extra attention to detail is a whole different ball game. Just my two cents.
     
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