I'm looking to make a change, but I want to know if what I want is possible. What I would like is a night shift driving position, something like linehaul (Picking up a loaded trailer, or set and taking it to another facility). Specifically I want to be on a route of some sort where I would know all my stops, and all the ways to get there. How many hours it would take (barring the inevitable). I also want to do this at night, maybe something like 4-6pm to 6-7am or close. I have NO EXPERIENCE hauling doubles, or working docks. I put in some applications a few years ago, had a road test with a few places even; and then never got hired. I believe the reason I never got hired was due to the barns I was wanting to work at were fully staffed. I have 6 years of driving experience, and one accident (Bumped my bumper into a landscaping rock at a receiver). I currently live in Council Bluffs Ia (about 2 minutes from East Omaha) but I want to relocate back to Texas, or maybe somewhere between (like Kansas). I'd like to earn around 1,500$ a week before taxes at this job, as well as have the night shift. Those are the two biggest things, is this something I could get? Even with no dock experience or ltl experience?
You might check into ODFL since you mentioned Texas. OD is increasing its presence in the DFW area by expanding two terminals and building a third. That's approx. 1000 new doors between them, and they're going to need lots more drivers to pull that freight. That's one option. Any decent size metro area will have a big LTL presence. Get on their websites, find the service centers in areas you want to live, and start applying. You'll get some no's, not right now's, and maybe later's, but if night linehaul is what you want you can get it with a little diligence.
I put in an application with OD and I’m hoping they call me so I can talk to someone, as long as the combination of no dock/double experience and my accident don’t disqualify me I’ll be happy
Don't get discouraged if you don't hear back right away. Some places, all applications get sent to the corporate office for review and then kicked back to the local level telling them which ones to interview. I applied to my current employer early November, and it was mid February before I had my butt in a seat. Part of that was because of the holidays and because I worked the full two weeks when I gave my notice. I had almost decided no one else wanted me, then they all called within a few days of each other to say yes or not interested. I road tested for Estes and ODFL on the same day. Dayton called me the day after I had already accepted a job offer. Saia I never heard back from at all.
Definitely follow up. With ODFL, you can go on their website, under Tools select Service Centers, and you'll have access to locations and contact info. I would apply and then call the service center to speak with the linehaul manager. Don't just fill out an online app and wait. I was recruited out of trucking school by our linehaul manager so I already had an invitation while still in school. I don't know what the web process is like but I would never just fill out an app and then wait. You don't need experience - depending on the service center and manager's preference. To see a schedule, it might take some time, or you might walk into one right away. All l/h drivers start on nights doing wild turns or bagging out. Again, some of this will vary a bit by terminal. Best luck.
I made the move to linehaul in July and is the best move I ever made in this industry. When things go smoothly, it doesn’t even feel like work most of the time. Takes most of the bs in trucking you put up with out on the road out of the equation completely. No brokers, lumpers, dispatchers for the most part except in-person at your home terminal, no fighting to find parking. I pull into a truck stop about once a month and every time I do, I realize how much I don’t miss it one bit. Best of luck, I think you’ll be happy you made the move.
