Any and all questions about Conway Truckload can be answered here!

I have read through this whole thread but it's been a few weeks ago so I don't remember if this question was addressed or not. What are Con-way's employment history requirements? I am retired and drawing a pension, so I haven't worked since 2009. Will this "employment gap" be counted against me on my application to Con-way? Thanks in advance.

 

Congratulations!!! If all goes as planned (famous last words), this time next year my wife and I will be completing CDL school and heading to Joplin. I look forward to future updates about your "adventures".

Putter

 

I just applied for the regional position. If you apply for the regional position they don't try to throw you on the OTR once you get there do they? And do you normally get home every week? I live close to memphis and I hear they have good equipment.

 

OK. Returnee here... (I have a hard time referring to myself as a newbie or a rookie after 24 years in this industry) I have 15 yrs OTR exp but it was all prior to 2004. I have been in Iraq since then but still in transportation/logistics. ACame over here as a driver and moved into operations/logistics. January will probably see me back in the US and I am not ready to quit working. I have been looking at a lot of fiffeent companies out there and there are 3 major things I am looking at. 1. Cost of being RE-trained 2. Starting pay per mile 3. Avg mile per week. While I have not contacted Con-way Truckload yet, I am thinking that may be the best one for me. But I would like some answrs to some questions if any Conway Truckload drivers out there can provide them. 1. The 12 week training program: Anytone have any details? It souns llike you have classroom/field instruction for 1/2 day and then you do dockwork for 1/2 day. What is the pay per hour while doing the dockwork? 2. After 12 weeks, you do out OTR with a trainer? How long does this last and what is the "students" rate of pay for this period?
3. OK Let's say the training is done and I am assigned a truck and I'm a solo driver living in the southwest. What is the equipment like? Stick or automatic? 4. E-log or paperlog? 5. Do they alow power inverters? 6. What is the governed speed? 7. Are their trucks well maintained? 8. Do they make sure it is clean when assigned to you? 9. How about the dispatchers/fleet managers on average? Easy to work with? Do they understand the drivers lifstyle/needs? IE: Do they treat you with dignity and respect? 10. How long before my wife can join me as a passenger?11. As a solo driver, will I spend much time out west or will I be spending most of my time back east? How often can I expect to have to go to Canada? 12. How many miles can I expect to average each week? OK I'll stop at an even 12 (hope I didn't "irk" anyone, but I'm just trying to get all the knowlede I can before making my commitment. I really do appreciate any information. Thanks all.

 

Several typos in my post above huh? Oops!

 

You're going to get a lot of good advice from Conway people here but let me just tackle one bit of confusion in your post that I do have experience with because I had the same confusion.

Con-way, Inc. has three divisions: one is Conway Freight and one is Conway Truckload. Conway Freight is LTL and has its own CDL school/training program which is free to students. This company program uses the 1/2 day paid dockwork component that you mention in your post. Conway Truckload is OTR and does not have its own CDL school or have a paid dockwork component.

Sounds like you're more interested in the Truckload side so your in the right thread.

Good luck!

 

Because you have prior OTR experience, you'll probably just need a refresher course. As long as your experience is verifiable, I'd imagine youd start on the experienced pay scale. Check with recruiting to know both things for certain.

When I checked a month ago, the company average was 2200 miles/week. I am averaging 2500 (including hometime -- full breakdown here ) . Regional averages may be lower.

I didnt go through conway training so I'll let someone else answer. Like already mentioned, there wont be dockwork for the truckload side. And I wouldnt think theyd make an experienced driver go through the full training as opposed to a refresher.

Late model high-rise sleeper tractors of every brand with 0-450,000 miles. Almost all manual, but there are a handful of volvo automatics. Well-maintained, but CARB compliant so they are a bit buggy.

e log

They provide a power inverter for fridge/microwave/whatever. You are not allowed to use the little cigarette lighter inverters.

65mph

yes.

They are detailed before being assigned.

better than average, but not perfect.

As soon as she signed the permission slip I would think. Verify with recruiter...

I only see the west when I request hometime. Most of the time I seem to be within a couple hundred miles of the Mississippi river, but I do go everywhere. Been to Canada a few times.

Average is 2200, but some do 3000+. I'd say the difference is 50% up to how well you manage your time & how often you go home, 30% random luck, 10% your dispatcher, & 10% where you live.

 

Thanks for this...very useful info

 

I was a bit confused about the inverter/APU issue, so I asked CWTL. Here's their answer:

"All of our trucks are equipped with an inverter and satellite radio. Few of our trucks have APUs and the ones we have are scheduled to trade out. The batteries power the inverter. If the batteries are low then you have to idle if necessary."

 

Sounds right ...very few truck left with APU's

inverters will power most electrical items u carry

but you will still need to idle to run A/C

bunk heaters work well but will kick off when you voltage drops below 12V or so
mine usally will run 5 hrs or so depending how cold it is out & how warm I'm try to maintain in the truck