Estes/OD/ABF in Portland OR? Opinions appreciated

I recommend Peninsula Truck Lines. Here’s what I know about the others:

I interviewed with ODFL a few years ago. I had just finished 2 years of OTR and was looking for an LTL job. The interviewer was polite and professional, but explained that he called in 10 drivers to interview but he would only be calling one of those drivers back and with only 2 years of experience it wouldn’t be me. While it’s a great place to work apparently there’s a long line of drivers wanting to work there - many are called, few are chosen.

I applied at ABF about 6 months ago. The interviewer was NOT polite nor professional. I have a safe, clean driving record. He raked me over the coals. Really? Is this a job interview or are you wanting me to kick your ###? While he did apologize for his tone towards the end I was convinced he wasn’t someone I wanted to work with and stopped pursuing employment with ABF after that. During the interview the TM mentioned that they had 9 driver positions but would be expanding to 16 driver positions this year. You can believe that ABF is doubling their freight volume this year if you want to. I believe that drivers 12-16 are going to be driving less than 3 days a week and will qualify for food stamps.

 

They have made exceptions to that in the past. It all boils down to how many idle trucks they have and how many driver applications they get.

 

I interviewed with Estes and ODFL, both seem like great companies. Both offered me a position. I chose ODFL because of the atmosphere, their reputation, I know 2 people that work there and they love it, and it just seems a better fit for me. Estes would have been my 2nd pick. I say apply to all and go to all the interviews that you get. None of the places I interviewed with minded me saying I had interviews/ interviewed with others. It's an employee's market, especially in the CDL world.

 

In Portland, OR?

 

In Georgia

 

Old Dominion. By far one of the best LTL companies out there. Not union, but you get most of the benefits of one.

 

While Estes has the best location - Airport Way next to Costco - I’ve heard that they run linehaul like SAIA does. More regional OTR than linehaul. You leave the terminal on Monday but don’t get back into Portland until sometime Saturday.