What's new

FedEx Freight | "Significant number" of straight trucks coming to FXFE

Redracer3136 said:
What ever it takes to service the customer is ok by me. I hope we get several!!
Click to expand...

Yes, to a point.

You may not have such a high degree of enthusiasm, if you were a city driver, and at a center struggling to qualify for a correction in GPD status. The difficulty to attract qualified drivers is likely the ONLY path to a higher GPD status. Anything that increases the qualified driver pool, reduces pressure on wages.
 
Richard Cranium said:
So are they going to have a third classification of driver? An additional, lesser pay scale? What happens when a Class A driver has to drive a straight truck, less money today?
Not enough straight truck routes for the labor pool today?
Just sayin'
Click to expand...

We don't know the answers yet. All valid concerns though.

This goes back to my original post. It all comes down to the sorting out the details and the execution of the plan.
 
SwampRatt said:
Yes, to a point.

You may not have such a high degree of enthusiasm, if you were a city driver, and at a center struggling to qualify for a correction in GPD status. The difficulty to attract qualified drivers is likely the ONLY path to a higher GPD status. Anything that increases the qualified driver pool, reduces pressure on wages.
Click to expand...
Shouldn't this rant be on the GPD thread? :off topic:
 
Redracer3136 said:
We used to have a straight truck in CLT back in the AF days and there was NO pay differential when driving it on a route.
Click to expand...
Purple Hammer said:
We had one for about 2 months in CLT about 4 years ago. One of our drivers crashed it and it was never repaired or replaced. He was a regular City Driver on top pay.
Click to expand...

Slightly different scenario having 1 straight truck and driver vs "significant numbers".
 
Purple Hammer said:
I think the purchase of the straight trucks is in response to the rise in residential deliveries as well as the inability to make such deliveries with full size tractor trailers. The voice of the city drivers has finally been heard in regards to the safety of trying to drive 48 and 53 foot trailers in neighborhoods. Some residential deliveries are a real pain in the ass in a full size rig. I have had to back out of neighborhoods plenty of times sometimes for over a mile after being told by the homeowner " Oh yeah you can get turned around." The article never said there would be two classes of drivers. Fear mongering without facts yet again.
Click to expand...
I do have to agree on need, based on accessibility and safety concerns :1036316054:. Also correct, the pay scale was not mentioned... Yet.

Does anyone think there will be Class B and/or C drivers hired at the same scale as Class A drivers? What about non-CDL drivers? Or do you and Red contend that only Class A drivers will be hired? That solves that challenge, but at a cost. Unlikely, IMHO.

I disagree on the charge of fear mongering. Simply asking the uncomfortable questions. Questions that will eventually need answers. Answers needed, NOT for my benefit, but for the benefit of the Company AND those who may be affected. Again, smooth well sorted execution will be the key.

One would think, this has all been (or is being) sorted out. Until we know, we speculate... :idunno:
 
Last edited:
SwampRatt said:
Excellent point. If the GVWR is kept at or below 26,000, and no placards are required, the pool of qualified drivers grows significantly. Even with hazmat (requiring placarding), Class C would cover the requirements.

Reminder of the CDL classes: (383.91)
mfw1nTZ.jpg


https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&=PART&n=pt49.5.383#se49.5.383_123
Click to expand...

Does FedEx still have the policy of you must have a tanker endorsement to drive. I guess that would have to be taken out. I don't really think FedEx would change some policies and ever have a different pay scale. I've worked the city in a straight truck and regular peddle runs and working the straight truck is a lot harder than a peddle run. IMHO
 
I'm guessing fed ex is getting into white glove and last mile in a big way. Smart move.
 
SwampRatt said:
Your SELECTIVE OUTRAGE is LAUGHABLE. :clapping::hilarious::clapping:

I'm perfectly "on topic".

When you become consistent on policing topic integrity, you'll become a more credible critic. Really...
Click to expand...
Just pointing out that YOU started a thread about straight trucks and still managed to bring up your center and the GPD like always. Dude, we get it, your not happy with the pay scale at your center but what does that have to do with straight trucks??
 
We had a straight truck for a few months a couple of years ago. I believe it had close to a 28 foot box so it didn't maneuver very well in tight residential areas. It was easier to use a tractor and a pup. You couldn't even turn around in a cult a sac without going forward and back a few times. It had a single axle so forklifts weren't able to go into the box and it wasn't 13'6" so you had to make sure whatever you picked up wasn't too high. Nice thought but just didn't work as well as planned. We gave it to another center in exchange for a tractor......with a blown engine. I see Dayton got some new straight trucks but they have shorter boxes and are cabovers. They look like they would be much better for tight spaces.
 
Redracer3136 said:
Shouldn't this rant be on the GPD thread? :off topic:
Click to expand...
Redracer3136 said:
Just pointing out that YOU started a thread about straight trucks and still managed to bring up your center and the GPD like always. Dude, we get it, your not happy with the pay scale at your center but what does that have to do with straight trucks??
Click to expand...
More nonsense...

How does 2 sentences mentioning GPD, out of 4 sentences in the post, qualify as a rant?

Haven't mentioned the GPD in several months (by design). That wasn't the point. The point was potential reduced pressure on wages. Don't worry though, there will be no class B or C trucks effecting you or the road operation.:cool:
 
Last edited:
Redracer3136 said:
I took "significant numbers" meaning to the company as a whole, most centers who receive one will probably only get one while many will see zero.
Click to expand...
Really now??

After mentioning significant numbers, Fred Smith goes on to say: " I think you'll see FedEx Freight lean into that space in a big way."

You take that to mean "most get 1" and many get Zero? And you can say that with a straight face? :scratchhead:

 
Sex pistol said:
I've worked the city in a straight truck and regular peddle runs and working the straight truck is a lot harder than a peddle run. IMHO
Click to expand...

A lot depends on the route... High density area with a 53 vs low density with a S/T? Not much difference between a lift gate pup route and a straight truck route. Regardless, it's not about the degree of difficulty. It's more about the number of people qualified, willing, and able to do it.

If/when another driver class is added, how might low freight levels effect who works? Not a criticism, just another question. An example of the sorting required, prior to such a big move.

The bigger challenge will be for those in the dispatch office, sorting out what equipment is suitable for what customer. :nightmare:
 
Last edited:
SwampRatt said:
Really now??

After mentioning significant numbers, Fred Smith goes on to say: " I think you'll see FedEx Freight lean into that space in a big way."

You take that to mean "most get 1" and many get Zero? And you can say that with a straight face? :scratchhead:
Click to expand...
SwampRatt said:
A lot depends on the route... High density area with a 53 vs low density with a S/T? Not much difference between a lift gate pup route and a straight truck route. Regardless, it's not about the degree of difficulty. It's more about the number of people qualified, willing, and able to do it.

If/when another driver class is added, how might low freight levels effect who works? Not a criticism, just another question. An example of the sorting required, prior to such a big move.

The bigger challenge will be for those in the dispatch office, sorting out what equipment is suitable for what customer. :nightmare:
Click to expand...
I think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill, you're clearly speculating as to what "might" happen...putting the cart before the horse so to speak.

Just curious, why are speculating about another class of driver and what "might" happen if freight levels dip anyways? Wouldn't the smarter business decision be to just continue hiring class A drivers? :idunno:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top