Is LTL the best area of trucking? What's the catch?

I currently work for Estes doing P&D work. I get decent hours. Can't really complain about the job besides the equipment which is old and beat up. Very curious about retirement tho. I know we have a 401k but was curious to the union guys that have pension. Was wondering and trying to see examples of people that are close to retirement on what they are expecting if they are returning with 401k or pension or maybe both? Love to see what kind of money you'll need to match a pension of someone from like UPS getting $4000 month.

 

That's what she said.

 

The general rule of thumb is that you can safely withdraw 4% of whatever your 401k balance is at retirement in order to not outlast your money. So get on it. A million dollars will only get you $40,000/year safely and $40,000 a year won't buy much by that time depending on how far away that is for you.

 

How bad will job hopping keep me from getting hired into LTL?

 

Right now companies need drivers. So I am sure some companies and terminals are willing to give you a chance. Would probably depend on experience, location, type of work you have done, record, etc.

 

Best of luck with Schneider!

I went to FedEx Freight with 11 months experience, still had to do the whole driver apprentice thing. I have no regrets about it.

 

That's not such a bad plan. Even training companies pay pretty well these days and it's a good idea to get your mistakes out of the way so you can keep the better jobs you end up getting after you get some experience.

When I started driving, LTL companies officially wanted two years experience but they often wouldn't hire anyone with less than five. Even though many LTL companies have relaxed their requirements in the last several years, the bottom line is that they can still afford to be very selective.

I am of the opinion that everybody should start out in a sleeper and have a string of bad jobs for several years like I did so that once they do get an LTL job, they will know how good they have it. Some of these drivers who jump right in to top-tier jobs have no sense of gratitude whatsoever.

Good luck to you, man. Get some experience and don't give up applying for better jobs as you go. You'll get there in no time.

 

^^^THIS