ODFL | I'd like to introduce myself...

JReding

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I've posted on here before, it was for a friend; this time it's for myself, since it looks like I'll be joining your team. I'll be going in to talk to Dan L. and filling out an application today, and if he was able to arrange it, take a road test as well. Dan and I go back to when he was an OM at FedEx.
I have one question regarding start times: is it standard practice in the ODFL system for drivers to call in every morning for their start times?
Thanks, and looking forward to starting over.
 
Lamancusa? Are you applying at Allentown, PA?

Wild and bag drivers usually get a call from their terminal dispatch at the start of their week. Then bag drivers will get calls from central or regional dispatch once on the road - they'll call you usually when you're eligible to run again. Wild turns get calls from their terminal planners / dispatch at the start of their shift every day.

There will typically be a window when you should expect your call. For a night wild turn driver, possibly from 7pm onward up to a few hour window. At our terminal, we're encouraged to call in if we don't get a call from dispatch within the first hour. All depends on how your terminal operates. Usually there's a window of a few hours. Some drivers wait for a call. Me, I call in if I don't hear within the first hour - you never know if the dispatchers / planners got distracted or accidentally 'forgot' about you.

Bag drivers can always call the IVR to see if they've been assigned a load yet.

Based on your post, I'm assuming you're a wild turn driver? Thought I'd post the extra info for any potential bag drivers out there.
 
Lamancusa? Are you applying at Allentown, PA?

Wild and bag drivers usually get a call from their terminal dispatch at the start of their week. Then bag drivers will get calls from central or regional dispatch once on the road - they'll call you usually when you're eligible to run again. Wild turns get calls from their terminal planners / dispatch at the start of their shift every day.

There will typically be a window when you should expect your call. For a night wild turn driver, possibly from 7pm onward up to a few hour window. At our terminal, we're encouraged to call in if we don't get a call from dispatch within the first hour. All depends on how your terminal operates. Usually there's a window of a few hours. Some drivers wait for a call. Me, I call in if I don't hear within the first hour - you never know if the dispatchers / planners got distracted or accidentally 'forgot' about you.

Bag drivers can always call the IVR to see if they've been assigned a load yet.

Based on your post, I'm assuming you're a wild turn driver? Thought I'd post the extra info for any potential bag drivers out there.
Sorry, I should have filled in the picture a little more... No, Larson, up in Seattle. I'll be going back to P&D, which is what I did for 18 years at FedEx Freight. I've been working at another job, which I loved, but it was night work, and after almost two years, I wasn't able to make the adjustment to nights: it was just getting too dangerous for me and the public, with my lack of sleep. I had to get out. Unfortunately there's not too many places that will start me at what I'm making now that are local work, and I can't afford the pay cut.
 
Gotcha. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the P&D guys at our barn get to look at a posting on the board to see when their start time is for the next day. I don't think they're on call.

Congrats on your new gig!
 
Thanks. Yeah, that's what we did over at FedEx, too: start sheet for the next day in the dispatch window.
 
I talked to the driver who road tested me, and he said something about being "on-call": I don't recall specifically what he said, I was focusing in shifting what I assume was the worst truck they had available (a test, perhaps?).:shrug: it sounded like you could be placed in, or volunteer for, call-in status (every morning at 07:00). Anybody else heard of that?
 
Hey Jerry--Bob From FEDEX TAC here--don't worry about the tractor you drove because you will drive something different daily. I am sure Greg P will take care of you. Give him a call and I am sure he can fill you in on the system here. I know Dan will but as you have seen he is very busy. Seems like everyone from the old Purple team are really glad they made the move expecially the line guys, I think there are 6 of us now. Talking to the dock guys from the other place they all seem to be happy and I am sure you will too. Just need to be flexible at first then get into work your system like you use too. Oh, I think you can do your paperwork in the yard, NOT THE STREET!! like at TAC. Look fwd to seeing you up here. Later
 
Thanks man! Boy, you guys are sure hard to get a hold of! Every night, at least until I gave up trying, every time I saw an OD truck go by, I tried to raise the driver on CB... do you guys have them? I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm there, it's just the idea of changing jobs again makes me a little nervous, but from everything I've heard, I think once I'm settled in, I'll be fine with it. Dan's hoping to have my approval from HR by Friday.
 
Welcome to OD.
As fall as your road test, you could have explained to your examiner the problem you were having shifting......like I think this clutch is shot, what is the operating range for this truck, etc.. Never leave yourself in the dark and last ask him where a DVIR is so you could write it up. That would get me as a examiner/trainer, simple word out of my mouth "you passed".
 
Oh, I passed, in fact my tester told the asst. manager that he had no concerns, and that I would make a great addition to the team. (BTW, I was a road test observer and city coach for several years at FedEx) I did discuss the clutch issue with the tester, and he agreed it could be a bear, but he noted that I adjusted fairly quickly to the temperament of the truck (it was one of the older Columbias).
 
I feel your nervousness-- all of us who changed were a little worried but, in the end what a good place to work. Linehaul here in SEA is actually a driving job, not just a 21 mile shuttle job like at TAC or a forklift job either. I think you will like it because it is what FEDEX was like when we were FeDEX West/VIKING-- just do you job and have fun. I know with myself and the other FEDEX guys we all pretty much feel the same, no more stress and BS. See you in a few days!!
 
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Don't worry about the on-call, they only do that so you're not waiting around all morning on the clock while freight is still onboard a line truck two hours away. You will work 10 hours a day there at the very least. Alot of the drivers have been hired straight out of school from CDS so clutches don't last very long.
 
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