Went in for my first day of training, today; I have a REALLY good feeling about coming on at UPSF. The line-haul supvervisor said that there is plenty of work to be had since most of his drivers want to be home every night and do not want or need any extra work(which should help me to bridge the gap during the first year of the wage progression).
I am estimating that; if UPSF grows to equal the size of the competition withing the area, at the very least, I will have at least 20 to 30drivers beneath me in line-haul alone within five years time(I wouldn't come even close to that with the employer that I am leaving).
Besides, the real kicker for me was that I will immediately have scheduled days off!!!!! I know that this may sound weird, but this is something that I didn't have a my old job since my start time and day(s) off would change on a daily basis(essentially I wouldn't know what I was doing the next day until 12:00p.m. on the day before a run). And, I don't think I'll miss the 16 to 18 hour days either(driving to my last stop only to have one-and-a-half to two of trailers left to unload before sleeping in the tractor in the middle of nowhere without a shower and only a packed lunch for dinner).
Sorry to ramble, but just remember, even one your worst day, that there is someone out there that is being subjected to a whole lot worse than you may be..........which almost makes me feel a tad bit guilty for taking this job.