wuts it like working for OD

having worked for od nine years the people or good the money is great and over all you would be hard press to do better. i will tale you is one little wrong thing and your looking for a new job! good luck.

 

I'll tell you what my Buddy who works there told me, but this may vary Barn to Barn.
1.The only time He had to work the Dock was when He was going through their training to get his CDL.
2.He is on a flex board. On call 24/7. The only days he doesnt work is when He is out of hours. Talking to him yesterday, He hasn't had a day off in 2 weeks and He is working his full 70. He has been on the Board 1 full year now and has been told it will take him another 2 years to get a bid. But he is making very good money, but is exhausted every single day and can't enjoy any life at all. He has to be able to report to work in 2 hours at any given time.
3.His Line haul is different every night. He may do a turn an burn with another driver or He may get sent on a 1 way trip with a sleep over at the end and then a return run coming back(if he is lucky) and every yard is different. Some yards you have to break your set and put them away and others you just drop them and the yard dog takes care of it.

 

scythe08 is pretty much on the money. I would like to add that the smaller terminals are usually where you have to work the dock. Larger ones, we get a hook card after the trailers are closed and sealed. We never touch any freight. The "extra" board usually does 5 or 6 runs (500-600 miles) before they run out of hours. Then they have to do the 34 hour restart. You have 10 hours off, after your run, then 2 hours to return after you get a call from dispatch. Overnight "Bag trips" are fairly common. You stay in a decent motel near the terminal. Plan on being on the extra board 1-4 years. You don't have much of a life, but the money is good. $55,000 plus the first year. Many runs, you are home most days/night to at least sleep in your own bed. Some make a lot more depending on how much you want to run. The miles are there. Equipment is well maintained, mostly single axle day cab Cascadias and Columbias. People there are professional, friendly, helpful, safety oriented, imho. I have been there 4 years this week. Finally got a "bid run" last month. They don't bother you as long as you do your job. Most yards you drop your rear pup on the pad, and put your dolly up, and park your lead at a door, or on the yard. Overall, an excellent company. Your mileage may vary. Good luck to you.

 

Sounds like how it was when I worked for Watkins in 1999 (before Fed-ex bought them) They ran me out of hours every week! Drove 7 days and on day 9 were back for home time which was 48 hours. I mean 48 hours from when you clocked in from getting back to the terminal. They would run you hard. It was a great company though. I don't know how Fed-ex National does things but I sure liked how Watkins was.

 

The Pay was good, the rest is up to you, keep your nose clean and mouth shut you'll do good.