Questions

[Moneyman01]

Hey guys i'm a new guy here. Little info about me. I drive truck for a foodservice company called Apperts Foodservice out of st.cloud,mn. I'm only 20 but when i turn 21 i will have over a year driving exprience. I'm looking into getting into the LTL industry. It doesn't matter to me if i'm union or not. My uncle who works for Yellow Freight out of Chicago he is really in to the union. Union this union that. The companies i'm looking into are Saia, Yellow, Con-way, R&L, and some smaller regional companies here in MN. If you guys could give me some info either on the companies or what is the best thing to do. Thanks

Josh Money

[hillbilly frog]

Moneyman01 welcome to trucking boards.

[zathlon]

First thing I would do if I were you would be to find out the minimum hiring age of the companies you are interested in, some will accept 21 others 23 and a few 25. What are you looking for in a job? What are your priorities? I've been researching LTL companies, I too am looking for a job. I'm at an LTL company now where I'm home every day and have weekends off(as most ltl companies offer), but I want more money. For big money LTL these companies seem to be one top... Fed Ex freight(non-union), yellow(union), USF(union), roadway(union), ups (union, freight division is not), abf(union) and someone told me Alvan drivers make a lot though I haven't researched that. Getting into those big money companies can be a bit of a challenge from what I've heard and many people that start out there have to pay their dues (and it can be hard at times), as in they will be the first to get laid off, get the lower paying runs, etc.
There are some other LTL companies that pay good that are easier to get in and likely wont have such a hard first few years. I've heard good things about Pitt-Ohio (they have terminals outside ohio).
Estes(union in the east) seems like an ok company, their drivers aren't overly impressed with it though. Their drivers typically have to start out working 5 nights out with weekends off.

Originally Posted by Moneyman01

Hey guys i'm a new guy here. Little info about me. I drive truck for a foodservice company called Apperts Foodservice out of st.cloud,mn. I'm only 20 but when i turn 21 i will have over a year driving exprience. I'm looking into getting into the LTL industry. It doesn't matter to me if i'm union or not. My uncle who works for Yellow Freight out of Chicago he is really in to the union. Union this union that. The companies i'm looking into are Saia, Yellow, Con-way, R&L, and some smaller regional companies here in MN. If you guys could give me some info either on the companies or what is the best thing to do. Thanks

Josh Money

[serta]

Zathlon, not sure where you got your info on Estes, but they are not a union company.

Moneyman, it all comes down to what you want at this point of your life. Unless you are trying to get into a small barn, you'll work weekends in the LTL, and be on call. I always thought if thats the case, why wouldn't you go to a Union carrier. Its a hard couple years, but in the end, its all worth it. Best: Pay, health coverage, and Pension. Not to mention you get paid for everything you do, which is a rarity at all others. But what ever you decide, good luck and drive safe.

[Moneyman01]

Thanks guys. I have searched around and Roadway and Yellow hire at 21 and they also hire drivers with less then 1 year driving experience. But by the time I turn 21 i will have a year and 3 months driving. I'm looking more into Roadway but If i can't get in there Then Yellow if not Yellow i'll apply at Saia but I'll probably apply at all 3 at the same time. I realize that I would have to work weekends and be on call and stuff but like serta said It will be worth it in the end and thats one of the reasons why I want to get on with em right away. Get my 30+ years in and have a good retirement. I'm sure if i went to Saia i could get a good retirement but not as good if I went to Roadway or Yellow. You do have to pay your dues and start somewhere.

Josh

[zathlon]

good luck with the job hunt

Originally Posted by Moneyman01

Thanks guys. I have searched around and Roadway and Yellow hire at 21 and they also hire drivers with less then 1 year driving experience. But by the time I turn 21 i will have a year and 3 months driving. I'm looking more into Roadway but If i can't get in there Then Yellow if not Yellow i'll apply at Saia but I'll probably apply at all 3 at the same time. I realize that I would have to work weekends and be on call and stuff but like serta said It will be worth it in the end and thats one of the reasons why I want to get on with em right away. Get my 30+ years in and have a good retirement. I'm sure if i went to Saia i could get a good retirement but not as good if I went to Roadway or Yellow. You do have to pay your dues and start somewhere.

Josh