My LTL adventure is about to begin with SAIA

We didn't have bids at my last job. I could be running anywhere from Mesquite, NV to Kanab, UT to Beaver, UT to Escalate, UT. Or I could be stuck in the St. George area all day.
The only guy that had a route that was pretty much set was the guy that drove the bobtail W/lift gate. He pretty much stayed in the St. George area all the time. He absolutely had the toughest job at our dock. He came to us with a ton of experience, from somewhere back east. Probably the hardest worker I've EVER known. Eight years since I retired, and I still see him running the same area.

 

At my terminal we bid our start times every 6 months and we bid our run everyday. With only 5 guys we stay in the same area everyday. I prefer it this way. I like knowing where all the places I'm going to are and where the docks are located and which dock I should back into. I feel 100% more effective this way. The few times I've run a different area I'm lost all day and don't know the short cuts. I think it took me a full year before I can truly say I know the area I peddle and I average 350-400 miles a day on my route.

 

and btw when I say 350-400 miles, it's all 2 lane roads. We don't have any interstate in my area and in the winter it feels like your doing 700 miles and that lasts 6 months out of the year

 

Our new drivers are put wherever they're needed, and over time they learn many of the areas we cover. I think dispatchers pay attention to where they're comfortable and where they're most efficient, and start keeping drivers in those areas. The more senior drivers usually have areas they specialize in where they know all the customers by name. There is a lot to be said for that; customers appreciate a personal touch. However, when a guy is on vacation someone has to cover it, so everybody has to be a little flexible.

 

Congrats on the new position! Now you can be the one drivers complain about!

 

Hey man, good to hear from you! It's kind of frustrating to have someone just drop out of sight. I second Bob in saying congratulations.

 

That's a quality problem!

 

Sounds like they got back to you pretty quick. Is there any specific person to talk to in HR regarding application statuses? I'm not finding anything and I've been putting in apps with these guys for the past, several months. Mainly Albuquerque and west TX areas.