ABF is hard to get hired with for some reason and I wouldn't leave where you are unless it's either that bad or you get the nod from ABF if you go to them. Altogether they are good. A well run machine without too many hiccups in our daily chores. How many hours you work can vary widely depending on location. We don't all get hammered with excessive OT like some other outfits. Health insurance is as good as it gets and they contribute full ante to the pension fund. Ability to deliver the U-Pack cubes with the flatbeds is a must and it's one of the worst things we have to do because of the tight places we have to get into with a 43' long trailer with axles fixed at the rear. Then we are also in the treadmill installation business as well and we are under equipped and under manned on those deliveries. If you get more than your share of these they will kill your back.What do you think of working at ABF? Thinking of the road, my current employer has no future to them. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks
But then...how bad can it be? Slavin and I both got hired...Overall A.B.F. is a good choice. Like abfer said, find out if it is a hog board or wheel board at the terminal you are interested in. You did not say if you are coming from an ltl company or a full load carrier. Make sure you fill out the application accurately. A.B.F. goes over it with a microscope and will contact you is something is a miss. The hiring process is a bit slow so be patient Good luck to you.
But then...how bad can it be? Slavin and I both got hired...
Some guys coming from other trucking companies think "P & D" means "Park and Doze",.....which is NOT the case here at ABF. As far as getting hired here,.....ABF is probably the best company in an industry that's gradually worsening like the Titanic slipping under the waves. Some of the new hires have no clue what LTL is about....( Hint:....Your driving skills are taken for granted that you are the "best" driver in the world and can do anything with a truck in any type of weather,....the revenue is made in the trailer, and your skills in handling all types of freight quickly and efficiently are much more prized by management than your driving skills.......)......since they are hiring people who don't have very much LTL experience, ABF is now relying heavily on their older employees to run and deliver more of the....."Humper"....loads,...the ones with unusual or difficult conditions that take more time and effort,.....and leaving the ...."Gravy",......the simpler, easier deliveries to the less experienced,......( or the ones that say they are......)......A complete reversal of how things used to be ten or fifteen years ago, when seniority meant you could coast into retirement on a wave of "gravy".......Now,.....with older guys being forced,.....due to pride, mainly,.......to pick up more and more of the slack, ABF is quickly wearing out,....and forcing out,....many of their experienced older hands at a far faster rate than they used to. Of course, no one in management has thought through the long-term implications of this,.........they won't until they're forced to by service failures,.......then maybe they can form some sort of focus group to "find out why"........
Some guys coming from other trucking companies think "P & D" means "Park and Doze",.....which is NOT the case here at ABF. As far as getting hired here,.....ABF is probably the best company in an industry that's gradually worsening like the Titanic slipping under the waves. Some of the new hires have no clue what LTL is about....( Hint:....Your driving skills are taken for granted that you are the "best" driver in the world and can do anything with a truck in any type of weather,....the revenue is made in the trailer, and your skills in handling all types of freight quickly and efficiently are much more prized by management than your driving skills.......)......since they are hiring people who don't have very much LTL experience, ABF is now relying heavily on their older employees to run and deliver more of the....."Humper"....loads,...the ones with unusual or difficult conditions that take more time and effort,.....and leaving the ...."Gravy",......the simpler, easier deliveries to the less experienced,......( or the ones that say they are......)......A complete reversal of how things used to be ten or fifteen years ago, when seniority meant you could coast into retirement on a wave of "gravy".......Now,.....with older guys being forced,.....due to pride, mainly,.......to pick up more and more of the slack, ABF is quickly wearing out,....and forcing out,....many of their experienced older hands at a far faster rate than they used to. Of course, no one in management has thought through the long-term implications of this,.........they won't until they're forced to by service failures,.......then maybe they can form some sort of focus group to "find out why"........
Just my two cent's worth. I believe any one hiring on any road board should be open to change. I think a lot more changes are coming soon and I think a lot will involve the linehaul position's. Maybe more ue work or vastly different lane's. Just think there is only so much they can change in p&d so the linehaul job's are probably open for the bigger change. But ABF is still one of the better job's in the ltl industry. The ue positions in my area are pretty decent run's. You are expected to work hard but we still are not as bad as some other companies. Safe travels and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
Personally I think you are right Green$dawg. I think we are in for some big changes coming soon!!!
Probably the first time in the last 12 to 15 yrs haven't had layoff's at local level this time of the year. Instead we're hiringIs this why you guys are on a hiring spree here? I've seen alot of openings for abf lately in the past 6 months. Abf is actually looking for line drivers here in Denver. I said the hell with it and applied. I have a decent line haul gig but my company has a uncertain future too.
What do you think of working at ABF? Thinking of the road, my current employer has no future to them. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks
Running road is great. Just keep your head down and mouth shut because ABF is full of backstabbers unless you agree with them.
Running road is great. Just keep your head down and mouth shut because ABF is full of backstabbers unless you agree with them.