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ABF | Starting a new career at ABF

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JC01750

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I'm starting a new career as Road Driver Trainee, went through the interview and background process and was approved for the program. Supposed to start on July 26th and had some questions. Spoke with the manager earlier this week and he was very nonchalant and said we could start on the 26th. I haven't received anything in writing and need to give my current employer notification on Monday. I tried to call the manager back today to confirm but was unable to reach him so I left I message and haven't heard back. I wondering if it is normal to not have a formal hire letter? It just seems a little odd to me that I have no confirmation other than a brief phone conversation. Thanks for any and all input anyone can provide.
 
JC01750 said:
I'm starting a new career as Road Driver Trainee, went through the interview and background process and was approved for the program. Supposed to start on July 26th and had some questions. Spoke with the manager earlier this week and he was very nonchalant and said we could start on the 26th. I haven't received anything in writing and need to give my current employer notification on Monday. I tried to call the manager back today to confirm but was unable to reach him so I left I message and haven't heard back. I wondering if it is normal to not have a formal hire letter? It just seems a little odd to me that I have no confirmation other than a brief phone conversation. Thanks for any and all input anyone can provide.
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Road driver trainee is a excellent opportunity for someone with little or no experience, they can fill these positions AT WILL. I would confirm start date with manager, after a week or two you will receive an probation letter. Driving a truck is not for everyone, away from family and stress on the highways. If you are cut out to be a driver, the money and benefits are very good.
 
gravytrain1 said:
Road driver trainee is a excellent opportunity for someone with little or no experience, they can fill these positions AT WILL. I would confirm start date with manager, after a week or two you will receive an probation letter. Driving a truck is not for everyone, away from family and stress on the highways. If you are cut out to be a driver, the money and benefits are very good.
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Thanks gravytrain, I'm very excited about this opportunity and have thought about this for a long time. My father is a retired teamster and I understand this isn't for everyone but I think this will personally be a good fit for myself. I'm just a little skittish about the start date being pushed back after I resign from my current job and going without an income while I wait. I will try to contact the manager again Monday morning.
 
JC01750 said:
I'm just a little skittish about the start date being pushed back after I resign from my current job and going without an income while I wait.
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As trainee are they sending you to a class? Are you CDL qualified but no doubles experience? If they're sending you to a class it might be that the later date is just when the next class is scheduled. If it is a class do they pay you anything while you're in training? If not are you OK with that?
 
JC01750 said:
I'm starting a new career as Road Driver Trainee, went through the interview and background process and was approved for the program. Supposed to start on July 26th and had some questions. Spoke with the manager earlier this week and he was very nonchalant and said we could start on the 26th. I haven't received anything in writing and need to give my current employer notification on Monday. I tried to call the manager back today to confirm but was unable to reach him so I left I message and haven't heard back. I wondering if it is normal to not have a formal hire letter? It just seems a little odd to me that I have no confirmation other than a brief phone conversation. Thanks for any and all input anyone can provide.
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I sent you a private message
 
ABFer said:
As trainee are they sending you to a class? Are you CDL qualified but no doubles experience? If they're sending you to a class it might be that the later date is just when the next class is scheduled. If it is a class do they pay you anything while you're in training? If not are you OK with that?
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Its the new training program they are starting up all over the country. Were are starting it up in Indy soon. We will take a person who has their driving permit and get them their cdl while also training them to work at ABF.(which part is harder? I don't know lol) The trainees will be paid casual pay of 16 dollars an hour, 8 hours a day while in training and getting their cdl. I believe there is a two year commitment but I'm not sure of that.
 
Boilerpeddle said:
Its the new training program they are starting up all over the country. Were are starting it up in Indy soon. We will take a person who has their driving permit and get them their cdl while also training them to work at ABF.(which part is harder? I don't know lol) The trainees will be paid casual pay of 16 dollars an hour, 8 hours a day while in training and getting their cdl. I believe there is a two year commitment but I'm not sure of that.
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Thanks for the reply boilerpeddle.
 
ABFer said:
As trainee are they sending you to a class? Are you CDL qualified but no doubles experience? If they're sending you to a class it might be that the later date is just when the next class is scheduled. If it is a class do they pay you anything while you're in training? If not are you OK with that?
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ABFer, it is exactly as boilerpeddle had reported. I have my cdl learning permit and will be receiving my training at the terminal for 6 weeks.

Thanks,
Joe
 
Yep it's a 6-8 week course that has been set up by ABF. The new guy is required to get his learner permit then ABF provides the training. We at 039 are training are 3rd guy. They set up cones in the yard and they drive around them for 8 hrs.
 
Wow, wow, wow. At what point are we just getting into diminishing returns with these givebacks? I mean...all starting drivers, no matter *what* company they start with, have roughly the same level of success (well, okay...except Swift). So why would ABF want to discount their pay and benefits to the point where they can no longer attract viable, experienced drivers?

Ye took too much, Judy. And now your chickens have come home to *roost.*
 
ABFer said:
It is a shame for the men but I feel no sympathy for the company whatsoever. If not for the great workers it would be enjoyable to watch the company fall on its face.
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When I hired on in 2010, I felt like the company was just on the backside of an amazing wave. I felt that way when I hired on to Yellow in 2007. God...either I've had some terrible luck, or I'm the kiss of death. Haha
 
Boilerpeddle said:
Its the new training program they are starting up all over the country. Were are starting it up in Indy soon. We will take a person who has their driving permit and get them their cdl while also training them to work at ABF.(which part is harder? I don't know lol) The trainees will be paid casual pay of 16 dollars an hour, 8 hours a day while in training and getting their cdl. I believe there is a two year commitment but I'm not sure of that.
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That's the same program holland offered us at our local. We told them no due to the casuals wouldn't be subject to 15% reduction. A slap in face for the one who have sacrificed.
 
LTLAnonymous said:
Wow, wow, wow. At what point are we just getting into diminishing returns with these givebacks? I mean...all starting drivers, no matter *what* company they start with, have roughly the same level of success (well, okay...except Swift). So why would ABF want to discount their pay and benefits to the point where they can no longer attract viable, experienced drivers?

Ye took too much, Judy. And now your chickens have come home to *roost.*
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You are not alone. At one time I worked with a crew and most of them were on their third company.
 
canaryinthemine said:
The problem is that there is no "training" provision in the ABF NMFA. They are creating this position...... and wage....... out of whole cloth.....

Which IBT official approved ABF's " training" program and the wages that go with it?
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Yes that is a big problem and is a very large concern.
One of the teamsters that got it all started did it in Salt Lake City. He was here and rode with me a couple of days and I have to say he assuaged most of my concerns. Its set up to Impact seniority very little beyond the selection of the instructors themselves. And I don't know what to do about that except what WE did was take volunteers and hope they passed whatever qualification process the fort put them through. Luckily the only two that volunteered were accepted(me being one of them).

There will be no freight handled for the first 4 to 5 weeks and when they do actually handle freight it will be with the instructor on the instructors bid run. When they pass their cdl test and the instructor feels they are qualified to work in the city they will go on the bottom of the board just like any new hire.

I do think we need this program or something like it. When was the last time you saw someone under 40 or heck even under 50 apply to work at ABF? The two prospects we have now are barely 21. And one of them is working the dock as a casual and he is a very good worker, knows how the union works and seems to be willing to pay his dues both metaphorically and literally. Hopefully if they can be trained by teamsters they can be educated about all the protections and benefits the union brings to the table, maybe we can not go backwards at such an astonishing rate int he future.
 
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