ABF vs. SEFL...pros and cons for a new driver? Training, benefits, equipment, etc.

Yup. I got a locker earlier this week. I put an extra set of thermals and wool socks in there. That and the driver that I tagged along with for a ride along last week was good enough to hook me up with a couple company logo sweatshirts. Next time I go out for a ride along...I'll look the part.

 

Assuming a recent CDL graduate with no experience...it takes approximately 4-6 months for them to completely remove the training wheels. A rough timeline would look like this (this is the rough idea that I've been given):

-The first 1-2 months are spent working the dock and yard.

Dock work will consist of (to name a few things): Assist with the unloading of inbound freight, Assist with the documentation of damaged freight, Assist with the loading of route P&D trailers, etc.


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Yard work will consist of (to name a few things): "Breaking down sets." That is to say that when line haul trucks come in pulling doubles...you will be responsible for uncoupling them, parking the dolly, and backing the trailers up to the dock, shuffling trailers (i.e. Empty 28' trailer from the empty line to the 33 door for a last minute P&D run), working on required training (set by the training evaluator), etc.


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-Month 2...you'll attend the SEFL P&D driver course where they'll cover essentials for...you guessed it...P&D drivers. That lasts for the better part of a week. I've been told that it's held at two locations. One in NC and one in SC. They'll cover the room and pay you hourly for the drive down, as well as mileage for operating your vehicle for the trip.

-Month 2...Transition. Following the P&D driver course, the safety evaluator will stop by to evaluate your progress. This is done according to his schedule (it could take two days or two weeks). In the mean time...you'll continue to work the dock. Once he signs off on you and says that you're good to go...you go on to the P&D road training phase.

-Months 3-6 (if you need that long)...P&D driver road training. You'll be paired up with an experienced driver and they'll show you the ropes. By experienced...I mean experienced...not "he muddled through it for 6-12 months and now we're calling him a trainer." The bulk of the drivers at my terminal have WELL over five years experience.

 

You're welcome. One of the guys I work with has been a yard dog (no CDL) for over a year. He decided several months ago to begin the process of getting his CDL. He got his CDL permit and they worked with him to get him to where he needed to be to pass the DMV test (which he passed). He is slated to take the P&D course soon and he'll start training with a driver shortly after that.

On learning their system...yup...what they're looking for is a trainable asset. Everyone I've dealt with is patient with of new people and eager to show you a better way to do things (their way). It's a LOT to take in, but it's definitely doable.

 

Another couple weeks down...

-The guy I mentioned in the previous post is through the P&D classroom course and now onto his P&D road training. Seeing him and another person move right along has provided a reminder that my night shift won't last forever (I like the work...I'm just not a night person).

-I've clocked a good bit of forklift time in the past couple weeks. I'm very comfortable on a lift, as I had a good bit of previous experience. A plus on driving the lift around is that it's MUCH more comfortable on the dock than out in the yard when it's ~30*, windy, and snowing.

-I received my medical insurance (~$25/week) and dental insurance (~$2/week) card in the mail this week. I had to pick up a prescription yesterday, so I got to test that out. At least for prescriptions, the cost is reasonable ($10/per for generic).

-Working the dock/training so far...I've averaged 38.8 hours per week for my first four executed pay periods. I share that because someone hit me up with a PM and wondered whether or not SEFL gets their trainees decent hours or shorts them (thought someone else might be curious).

-I've settled into a good sleep schedule for my night shift. I crash around 1600...get up around midnight...and I'm good to go. Well...relatively speaking, lol. It's slow going for me from about 0130-0300. Talking to others though, it seems like I'm not the only one in that boat.

-On clothing...I picked up an insulated Carhartt bib overall. I love it. At ~$90...it was pretty much my best investment ever. I wear insulated jeans under that and I'm good to go. For a top, I settled on a basic thermal top, no additional shirt, and my insulated Carhartt jacket over that.

That combination is not perfect (my upper body can get cold if I'm not moving around), but as @cascivic pointed out...whenever I start to get cold...I just get moving and I'm good to go. Well...relatively. It beats wasting time swapping layers throughout the shift based on my task at the given moment (i.e. layer down in truck and layer up on dock).

 

I got thrown a curve ball this past week. The order of things has been changed up for me. I'm not longer working nights on the dock. I'm now working days, riding along, and serving as a driver helper until the safety guy has time to give me a check ride. At that point, I'll head off to the P&D course.

I've got mixed feelings about the change. I was looking forward to getting off nights, but I worked with a good bunch of guys and the time flew by. As far as being a driver helper...you're nothing but a helper monkey. The first couple of days were entertaining, because I basically got paid to just ride around in a truck, move a few pallets, and eat snacks. The driver that I rode along with for the first two days was cool. We have a good bit in common (similar hobby interests), so there's plenty to BS about...which makes the time fly by (rural route...so there's a bit of driving between stops).