well i wrote a long ### reply but for some reason it didn't post...anyway started 3 weeks ago i'm on call 24/7 working wild or xtraboard sometimes i'm called after 10 hours sometimes after 24 or something in between, i'm just plugging in the holes that other drivers can't. there are good runs 400-550 miles and bad ones 200-350. not knowing when i'm supposed to be at work is killing my family life, all i do is sleep and work because i can't plan anything at all. i'm starting to wonder if i made a mistake by going with od for 56 cpm when saia offered 64 w/ 10 pm start time (it's not all about money i was looking for a good company) ....i'm hoping that something will change soon because at the moment i'm making less money than i was making at the company i came from, i was told there's lots of work but i'm yet to see it. i'd love to work 500+ miles 5 6 days a week but looks like that's just a dream for right now...i'll update it the post if something changes
Yes it's another pay question
Discussion in 'Old Dominion' started by g2h, Apr 25, 2018.
Page 2 of 3
-
-
-
FYI top rate is .6568. I do a short 450 ish mile schedule run, make 75k and work 9.5 hours a day. It's definitely a "nonsense company".....TequilaSunrise, BIGreem1985 and slim6596 Thank this. -
-
Those shifts are just a recipe for disaster. Good stop and go meds required or you be waking up sunny side down -
-
@g2h I did talk to a driver out of Sacramento, CA and he said that their linehaul is rough. Extraboard is worked to the extent of their full 14 hours, and then by the time their 10 is up, their shift times start getting wonky. But they aren't waiting by the phone. For these guys, it sounds like a case of not enough drivers and a lot of freight.
My experience is just with the northeast. When I ran wild on the east coast, they had plenty of freight for me, but I always had the same start time when the week started, and my daily starts would stay about the same throughout the week. I was never waiting by the phone long because there was usually freight. I was told to stay home a few times, but I was never on call 24/7. I had my assigned trailers when I woke up at the hotel every night.
I heard right now freight is hit or miss for the extra guys at my terminal. That's the name of the game when being at the bottom of the seniority board. When freight is low, guys without a schedule are the first to be told to stay home. My terminal has never laid anybody off, but there is always an ebb and flow to freight in the industry.
As with any company, terminal experience will vary. I always suggest to drivers to check multiple LTLs in their area, because where there is one, there will be others. I'm not advocating job hopping, but doing your due diligence before signing on to any terminal. ODFL is a company you can retire from, but in some areas, perhaps an Estes or FXF terminal might have better opportunities, runs, or faster rate to climb the seniority board. There are many factors involved when deciding which terminal would be the best to run linehaul - it's not always just blindly choosing a particular company.
Have you talked with other drivers to see how soon they moved up from the bottom, or how long it took to get a schedule? Personally, I wouldn't want to be on call 24/7. I know sometimes they don't have trailers done right when your 10 is up, but I've never heard of anybody being on call 24/7. Just remember, if you leave, you'll be starting all over again somewhere else. It takes 2 years to reach top rate. If you're not in the northeast, that's .6518. Keep in mind some companies don't give any vacation for the first two years. I'm sure you're aware that you get 2 weeks after your first year, plus all the other paid holidays, including your birthday. -
LTL is an investment. if you want the good runs and set schedule you’ll have to put in your time just like everyone else did.
BIGreem1985 and 2BucTruck Thank this. -
-
talked to another driver yesterday he's been doing the same thing since the beginning of the year and he's starting to burn out. he's in the same boat wants to work not scared of work but he still doesn't have a set shift so looks like it'll be a while before i can expect to have anything set. i don't care about days off or start time as long as i can set up some kind of work/home life schedule. i'm gonna tuff it out for as long as i can because i had my sight set on the OD or UPS and OD called first. as for why i didn't go with saia even tho they offered more money at the start no raises, less vacation, front and driver facing cameras, you back under the trailer harder they jump and investigate, can't use phone in the truck even w/ the blue tooth they want you to pull over to answer or make the call pretty much to it sounded like micro managing there are some other things too that i can't remember right now......i guess it could be growing pains we'll see what happens down the road. for example today i hit my 10 hours off 6 hours ago and still no call, i checked in before my 10 was up was told we'll call you in couple of hours and guess what no call yet
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 2 of 3