New to ltl

Without a doubt, Need endorsements Haz/tanker/doubles-triples for ABF to get started driving ASAP. HR/TM is selective who they hire, Apply and go from there

 

I've seen from 2 weeks to 3 years. Not being a prick. Locations vary.
Mine was just under 1 month, Other fella same hire date as me waited 18 months. Crap varies

 

Some carriers let you work for them without hazmat endorsement for the first six months. You just can't haul (placarded) hazmat trailers until you get it. It's an annoying endorsement.

 

$40k is pretty modest. I wouldn't consider starting for anything less $45k. You will get your annual pay raises. The real weenie will be tenure and moving up the seniority board. You might luck out and have a bunch of people get fired or retire and you will move up. Or you can be stuck as the low man on the totem pole for 10 years.

 

You should make a lot more than 40k in your first year. If money is of your concern, try getting a linehaul job at an LTL company as it usually pays significantly more.

 

linehaul may or may not be home everyday, depending on your seniority, but that varies by company.

As for which company, you could apply to all of them that are hiring and even those that aren't hiring if you want.. As far as which company is the best in your area, I'll let somebody else chime in because I'm nowhere near NY.