Conway Local?

Discussion in 'Trucking Jobs' started by steven77, Jul 27, 2007.

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  1. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Thanks, Jakebrake. The interview went well at PJAX, but I'd much rather get on with Con-Way or FedEx (or possibly Central - although the thread in here sort of scares me).

    As for money PJAX will start at 16.63, which is less than Con-Way who starts at 17.81 (according to Con-Way's website).

    I worry if I take PJAX, Con-Way will call. Then again, if I turn PJAX down, and Con-Way does NOT call, I shot myself in the foot. I guess I will worry about it when I get to it.

    PJAX interviewed me and said they'll call back later in the week to schedule a road test. Perhaps that is promising; I don't know. Con-Way, on the other hand, just said they'd turn in intot he guy who does the hiring.

    At Neville Island, there's a really cool guy behind the counter. Shaved head. Can't remember his name, but he has a great sense of humor. Seems everyone there does. To me, joking around (when appropriate) is important. If you're going to spend most of your day away from home, might as well make it enjoyable!

    Please keep me up to date on what you hear Jakebrake, and THANK YOU!!!!
     
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  3. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2007
    Orwell, OH
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    Oh, and PJAX is now Vitran Express, but their ads still say PJAX (and so does some of the equipment).
     
  4. craignzborn

    craignzborn Bobtail Member

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    Jul 20, 2009
    Burnsville, MN
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    Ok Ladies and Gentelmen.


    I went to work for Conway straight out of school in 2008. Never ran doubles or driven a forklift before. Training was two weeks which included forklift, doubles and hostler. Driving doubles for me was not tough, the most difficult part was coupling. I was employed for three months then laid off with a boat load of other people due to the recession. In the three months I drove line haul from Fridley MN to Tomah WI and worked the dock for 4 hours then back again. I did that about three times. I drove line haul to Fargo once which was a drop and turn. I hostled in the yard three times, did P & D about 5 times and the rest of the time I worked the dock driving a forklift. As a newbie I was on call and required to call in after 10 hours off every day to get my orders. Many times was required to call back later as they did not have the schedule completed. You can make a very good living working for an LTL company. I was paid $18 plus per hour and 43cpm. There was a lot of OT until the recession crunch but I believe OT is pretty standard. Conway is non union but stands very firmly on a seniority structure. You will need to bid on all the positions available once you make your 90 days. You will be placed as needed in whatever is open.
     
  5. malael

    malael Bobtail Member

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    May 20, 2009
    Bronx, NY
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    i work for conway and i can tell you its hard work, i took a job there right out of school and they taught me how to hook and pull doubles so dont worry about training for that they will show you. as far as what these guys are saying both positions p&d or linehaul have their good and there bad. but linehaul usually pays a little more "looking at 100 to 200 bucks more a week. unless you have senority and can get the better runs then it could be allot more" the work is hard but if you hang in there youll get use to it. and yes turn over is pretty high because of how demanding the work is and the stress can get to you easy. try driving doubles to a location you have never been before and if you get lost you better make sure you can turn backing up is almost impossible with doubles. but if you hang in there get the exp. it can be a very rewarding experience g luck guy
     
  6. JahB

    JahB Road Train Member

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    Tell you what. I had my 120 lb wife pulling doubles while I was trainng her in her first month, Down the I-5 after I got used to it myself for the first time through OR. Had her pulling them in the Siskyous on the way down from Seattle to LA. No sweat. #### things drive like a sports car compared to a 53' trailer, especially around town! Course the back pup CAN turn over on you if it gets swinging cause of bad loading, but we had well balanced good loads.

    Saw one on the I10 that flipped his rear trailer, so it CAN happen...but just watch yer wagons so you know what they are doing. I'd almost rather pull doubles. Never tried triples. Don't get in a position where you have to back up though! That's a trick I tried but didn't learn. Two joints are harder than one! Make sure you hook up both sets of air lines! The other thing is, it helps to have a pintle hook on the front to be shuffling them around at the yard, and it takes a while to get the whole dolly thing figured out, but a yard dog will help you out most times if you're long haul and don't act like super-trucker around the yard. I was just doing line-haul for the LTL, not working for them directly.
     
  7. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2007
    Orwell, OH
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    Thank you Craignzborn and Malael. Hard work doesn't bother me at all. Loading, unloading, P&D, etc doesn't bother me at all. Especially at what they pay!

    What bothered me, while hauling mail, was not getting paid for the work I did. I would have to work 60 at one of the jobs to make a 40 hour paycheck. Other places don't pay you your delay time (even though the USPS pays them!). Plus, it was all straight pay.

    LTL carriers seems to be a nice change of pace for me. The interviewer at PJAX asked me why I went and got my endorsements. I told him I wanted a career; not just a job. PJAX (Con-Way and Fed-Ex) seem to be careers, not just jobs.

    It's amazing turnover is so high! Why?!!? Are people that lazy? I don't mind working days or nights. I don't mind working on the dock. If you get the same wage, who cares?

    Craignzborn, can you go back to Con-Way or another LTL place? I looked into FedEx Freight but was told they had full timers only getting 20 hours a week, whereas PJAX, who is right next door, is hiring and I will get 45-55 hours a week. Every week.

    Thank you guys for this info! Con-Way claims to be hiring in Pittsburgh (possibly McKees Rocks too)...I hope so!
     
  8. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2007
    Orwell, OH
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    Thank you, JahB. They still seem very intimidating...How do you know which trailer is the heavy one to put at the front of the set? If they start swinging, what do you do? How do they handle in wind or snow/ice?

    Also, to add to my dilemma: Check this scenario...it has happened in the past.....OK, let's say Con-Way offers me a job. I take it. Well, then FedEx calls. I explain that I have already taken another position, and therefore can't accept their offer right now. Then, it seems like I am blackballed from getting on at FedEx if things went sour at Con-Way. Maybe LTL is different; I don't know. I do worry too dang much though....
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2009
  9. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    Don't out-think the room here. Wherever you end up just try your best to make it work for you. You'll be fine. If you end up with multiple offers try to talk to current drivers at those companies. Some will say everything sucks but you can get a feel for who is worth talking to real quick. Most will be honest about the good and bad points of the job and company. That's all you can really do man.. Best of luck to you..
     
  10. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2007
    Orwell, OH
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    I appreciate it. I am doing the best I can at this point! I think waiting is the worst part. I have so many lines in the water, so to speak. I will occassionally get calls about jobs that I forgot I applied to (none are great though).

    If you hear anything about Neville Island, please let me know! I have a paper app in there right now.
     
  11. truckdriver402

    truckdriver402 Light Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2007
    Orwell, OH
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    Hey Jakebrake! I called the terminal and the guy I told you about who seemed really cool is named Jack. I talked to him today and he said for me to call tomorrow and see about coming up to speak to the TM with the attitude of "Hey I am ready to go to work and wonder what you think of my application."

    Jack said the President (or some big shot) will be there next month so everyone is a little on edge. He said by me going up there, one way or another, the TM will remember my name because I am one of three who have gone up there to do the paper application.

    I guess we will see. No one else has called yet, but I just did the apps last week. I am impatient!
     
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