Which LTL?

That sounds about right. I know XPO is higher but of course differences in overtime can muddy things up a bit. I figured I’d find out all that info talking to the older guys once I actually start. I’ll take linehaul cpm over local hourly work any day though. At full pay averaging 60 mph you’re making $38.40/hr cruising down the road in the air conditioning while the city guys are breaking their backs loading and unloading and dealing with customers for $24/hr.

 

You may make a couple bucks less than an XPO driver, but you have to take benefits into consideration. ABF is the far better deal.

 

Agreed. And I love hearing that they can barely keep up with the work they have. That means plenty to keep my workaholic self busy while I build seniority. I didn’t think to ask in the interview but I wondered if the union rules prevented you from working extra. For example they allow you 36, 72, or 144 hours off after 6, 12, or 18 runs. What if I only want to take 72 hours off after 18 runs?

 

At my terminal, you could take 48 hours off after 6 runs, and 72 hours off after 12.

I will tell you this, though. If you want to continue working past your time off, they will more than happily oblige you.

I'm also a very hard worker, and ABF burned me out. Enjoy your time off.

 

Good to hear. I wasn’t sure if the time off was more of a right or a requirement if that makes sense. I’m young and single. I play hard on my time off but I’ll say this- I work 21 days and take three off now and I’m always ready to get back to work. Add in the fact that my paychecks will be 60% higher and I’ll they’ll have to drag me outta that truck. As long as I have a commute to work where I can enjoy my paycheck with a nice car I’ll be happy.

 

You can count on making about $300 per day that you work. You'll go above that, and you'll go below that. But $300 is in the ballpark. Oh wait, you will be in the progression. 250. 300 after you get to top scale.

 

That helps. I was hoping for $70-75k first year and long term around $90k. That seems possible taking average one day off a week.

 

If you want to work your ever-loving ### off, you could even make 80 your first year at 90%.

My biggest advice to you would be to let the staff at foreign terminals know you want to stay out running. The more you can Bounce Around, the less you will have to deal with the red circle purchased Transportation nonsense. The longer you can stay away from your home terminal, the more money you will make.

 

I would like to work my ever loving ### off- that’s my idea of a good job! Lol

Well heck I’ll just set my goal at $80k first year then. I figured taking as much overnight stuff as I could would be the key. From what I understand if you’re at home the senior guys get called in first but if you’re at a motel and something isn’t ready in 14 hours at least you get the $24 or whatever an hour while you wait. Which means you likely won’t be waiting long.

 

Yes. According to the contract, a man in motion, which would be you at the hotel, has priority over even the senior extra board drivers at the terminal you are sleeping at.