Avritt or abf

The only Averitt I know is the company with red trucks and red driver uniforms. Unless I'm misinformed, this is a truckload company that pays truckload wages but might also do some LTL for customers. I wouldn't consider them an LTL company. So comparing them, from a driver's perspective, is like comparing apples and oranges. Between the two, ABF is the LTL company I'd look into if you wanted LTL.

If you have ABF in your area, you'll have other LTLs. Try ODFL, Estes, FXF, UPSF, etc... If I'm correct about Averitt, forget about them. Companies like Averitt, Swift, and US Xpress might have day cabs, depending on the area, and offer LTL to customers or shuttle runs for their drivers, but they aren't paying these drivers like LTL companies pay. There's a reason why P&D and linehaul drivers make more money at LTL than truckload company drivers - because LTLs pay more.

 

You are partially misinformed. They are a truckload/dedicated carrier but in the south they are also a LTL carrier.

 

Would you know if they offer "LTL" pay similar to other LTL companies?.

Personally I wouldnt care what type of carrier they were classed as as long as the pay, benefits and schedules were suitable.

 

ABF is likely Union hog board however some terminals are wheel board. After a couple of years you will gain seniority but the first couple of years you may get laid off in January and February. Health insurance is outstanding. If you are in the Central States Pension fund it is bankrupt and will end up paying a fraction of what current retirees are getting.

 

What is a hog board, if you don't mind? And what's a wheel board?

Was talking with an ABFer who mentioned hog board and wondered about it but didn't 'have time to ask.

 

Wheel board is first in first out. This is used by road drivers. Hog board also used by road drivers which means the highest seniority driver that is rested with hours to make a trip will be called before a junior. The junior driver on a road board may sit for several days without working but must be available to work.

 

They are an LTL/TL company and their LTL pay and the benefits are less than your bigger LTL carriers. You can get on the Trucking Boards blogs and read what their drivers have to say about the pay, benefits and working conditions.

 

I used to work for averitt (LTL side) is an okay outfit here are what they offer at least here in Houston.

Top pay is 27.00dls but they start you at 21 dls. If no experience 3 yrs to top out.

Beside doing LTL averitt has what they call LC which takes freight from point A to point B and that only tops out to 21.50, thats where alot drivers get screwed. Lets say you make 22dls or more but if they want you to run LC you will get screwed as they will short changed you with your money.

Fleet equipment is volvos and freightliner all automatics and be prepared to haul 53ft as averitt dont have pups trailers unless they are liftgate and those are used on assigned routes.

Insurance wise they pretty reasonable and have cigna as the main provider.

Every year they have doctors to come to the terminal to check your health and if your healthy your premiums in your insurance will decrease.

As far as routes at least here in houston you usually get between the minum of 10 stops to 16 stops and the pick ups depends where you at in the route as some places have more pick ups than others.

Overall averitt is an okay place to work but if you can get on with ABF by all means good luck.

 

Were you doing residential deliveries with a 53ft or was it just to places with loading docks?