Con-Way Freight or UPS?

You know what I like about Boonie? Hes researching his options. Why do none of theses wannabe drivers ever even look into LTL? They all think they have to sign on with a mega carrier to get their CDL. Its simply not true. LTLs hire rookies, I have seen it first hand for 12 years at 4 different companies (worked other LTLs while laid off, Im not a job hopper.)

 

Very good point. I made that mistake too, kind of. I went to a trucking school(AIT), then I went to Coca Cola for two years. Deliver locally. But I paid $4500 to AIT. When went to Coke, I found out they would have helped me get my CDL. Oh Well.

But I did land that job because I already had my CDL too.

 

Lol sorry, I had no idea....

 

My buddy got his CDL through Coke and had 2 sign a 2 year contract. He hated the job with a passion. He was driving one of those 10 wheeler sideloaders though. Thats physical work. Driving the bulk trucks is a lot less physical.

 

Thinks its about the same. Sometimes everyday, sometimes every other day.

 

They are about the same. All of our local drivers are home every night no matter what, the same with UPS Parcels local feeder drivers.

Linehaul drivers are very rarely forced to stay out, they are home everynight unless they choose to take a longer run that they know they cant make it home within their hours of service. Think about it, how many UPS sleepers do you see?

If we do stay out, its in a hotel, not a sleeper.

 

I went to my school through a regular driving school. I spent maybe about 1500 on it. All they really did was help you practice enough to pass the road test. They teach you a proper pre-trip, then how to drive, turn, paralell park etc. The truck was a single axel, 6 spd(did not require double clutching) with a 45ft trailer. I got hired at con-way for the apprentice program because I already had my CDL with all endorsements, but since I was inexperienced they made me go into the school, the supervisors all disagreed though but its whatever. ABF also has a driving school they send you to, they pay for your gas, hotel, tuition, and even give you spending money. Although you are locked on contract for two years, so if you quit you owe ABF money(Con-way its 1 year) I would love to go but the whole extra and flex board gets to me. Hated it at con-way, and the ABF terminal is 45 min away from me where as con-way was 5 min away from me.

I had no idea coke hired rookies too, they have a terminal close to my house, even close than con-way is. Friend of mine worked there for the side loader, can understand its hard but he made really really good money.

As for UPS making 52 a hour, I really find that hard to believe, maybe on overtime he was making that. He would be making about 400 or more a day, plus if he got any overtime in. In that case Id never retire then. Ive heard the feeder drivers make 30-32 a hour, same as the package car drivers make. The terminal by me its a 7 year wait for package car, then a 22 year wait for tt driver.

Boonie it is good you are finding information before accepting a job. Ive been doing that as well on here, I maybe made like 8 new post about companies etc, just to see what the people think