Fedex freight or Saia for linehaul?

Great information, I was previously under the impression that they were 1099.

 

No Problem. There have been many changes at Ground over the years that many are not aware of. Big investors are coming in and buying guys out like me and starting to offer better pay and benefits. They usually own many trucks in different hubs and are big enough to offer better pay and benefits. Happy to answer any questions that may help. Not trying to turn this into a FedEx Ground thread though. I came to this thread because I am thinking of going back to Saia and was looking for information on them.

 

I use to work for FedEx Freight for 12 years, I was employed there when they were American Freight-ways. It's a great job for a driver. You can do city PU and the pay is OKAY. But line haul drivers make great money. The benefits ? You can't beat it with a stick. I would suggest FXF because their employee culture, working environment, equipment, benefits, etc. I doubt anyone compares to that level of integrity.

 

From what I have heard from the FedEx guys around here, no matter where you go as a new linehaul guy you will get a lot of dock work as well as short runs to make up for what you're not getting on a full run.

Now for Saia, this year we got about a 4% increase in pay. So our line haul guys will end up (depending on where you're at) about 66 cpm top out. Also Saia is one of the quickest companies you can achieve top out pay in. You top out in 18 months (raise every 6 months). We have united health care insurance and it is extremely affordable. As for hazmat endorsements, 99% of the guys on line haul are required to have it prior to being interviewed, no exception. The only allowance that i have seen is on the P&D side, where they will allow up to 60 days to obtain it after hire.

Cameras - Yes we have them and 95% of the drivers that cry about them, are the ones that get counseled on videos constantly. I have had videos and I was wrong for setting them off, but I won't be on here crying about them! They get set off for the following reasons with us: Following distance (less then 3 seconds), hard braking, roll/turn sensors, lane departure sensors, speeding, and sudden impact or rough roads.

How they are abusing them, I would like to know. The way our system works is we have a 3rd party outfit (Lytx, the designer of our cameras) who get the initial video. From there Saia gives them a set standard that they forward the videos to our safety department. if it meets those standards (topics covered), then the Safety managers forward them to the TM's or responsible parties and the driver faces the discipline accordingly. Saia does not have any "live feed" cameras or anything of the such.

Any questions about saia I would have happy to answer them.

 

Do you have access to the pay scale of the various terminals?.

 

@Redtwin what are you looking for?

 

I was looking for information on starting pay. I understand that pay varies depending on the terminal so was wondering if you knew what other terminals paid. I live in South Florida so the pay scale in Kentucky would likely be different.

 

I know, I should had been more specific, what terminal are you looking for pay information for?

 

Ahh, I misunderstood. I was interested in the West Palm Beach Florida terminal. Thanks.