Question about ABF hiring process

Here it's 90 work days, Before that just a regular joe with no squirt gun against a .50 cal

 

Thats not horrible at all. If your going to be on the dock for about six weeks then you are going to learn how to properly load and stack freight. Very important concept to learn. In LTL the great unknown is where the 5,000 lb skid is located that could shift. Load shifting is what can put you in a ditch so thats good your walking before your running. Ask the experienced guys about blocking, stacking, and weight distribution. When I was at YRC the old timers showed us to load "fluff" freight i.e. less than 3200lbs in the nose so the driver wasn't overweight on their drive axl. After that first row of fluff then you can really hunker down and load heavy. You going to do fine just ask questions and enjoy yourself. This way if your doing six weeks on the dock that very well could end your probation because you are working. Also get used to being forced two hours overtime each day.

 

Idk about starting as a casual. I'm already a union member. But hey, they actually called me in for an interview in San Jose. Do they road test you the same day as the interview ?

 

ABF no. At least when i interviewed years ago. Some places do, normally thet will tell you. Call back and ask. When i inyerviewed for my current job they told me over the phone. YRC was the same way

 

I interviewed with them and the recruiter straight told me that if everything is reported as accurate on my app, then he could hire me and would have no problem doing so. I think I want to jump on this eventually. But I think they might start me on the dock.

From what I understand they start rookies on the dock, then progress them to the yard goat, and then they put them on a list to wait for a bid. Right ? What exactly does working the dock entail ? Also I have experience driving the goat and can back trailers into docks like nothing. Does this give me an advantage ? I know yard pays better than dock (but less than driver pay)

 

I guess what I'm worried about with the city driver position, is thinking I will be a city driver making $20 an hour and then getting stuck with a $13/hr forklift driver job. But I really want to get hired on at ABF

 

Its just that $13 an hour is below my current hourly rate , but the OT evens it out since I only get straight time at the moment. If I wasn't able to drive in the city right away I would be all over that yard goat tho since I have a good deal of experience doing that and can back trailers while I sleep idk I will have to weigh the pros and cons. The San Jose terminal seems easier to advance I'm since it's a smaller facility than oakland.

 

What kind of tools?