Please cite your source with a link. While 208 and 357 may have represented some terminals, 396 DID in fact represent others.
They were one of the major Intrastate LTL's at the time. Yes, they were the ones with the little red gears for a logo.
From:
Industrial Freight System of Sun Valley, Calif., Files Chapter 11. (Originated from Traffic World) - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News | HighBeam Research emphasis is mine:
"The continuing economic slump in California combined with stiffening competition among West Coast regional carriers
caused a major Western LTL carrier to declare for Chapter 11 reorganization late last month.
Industrial Freight System, Sun Valley, Calif., filed for reorganization Aug. 31, according to president Michael P. Gamel,
<snip>Besides Industrial, the nine major truckers in the California LTL market (shown with ownership) are: Con-Way Western Express (CF); Crescent Truck Lines (private); Di Salvo Trucking (private); G. …"
May not have been on your radar, or large enough for you to consider them a powerhouse, but that's irrelevant. The point is, I was challenged to name a single LTL carrier that was represented by 396. I did.