LTL vs Truckload

jakebrake12 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 08:29 PM

I understand the LTL job is not for everyone, but when I see what the big truckload's are paying, I don't know how I did it. I don't think most newbies know the income potential of a decent LTL job. I worked for the best, IMO, truckload carrier out there and the big money was 70k staying out 2-4 weeks at a time. Now I work for a big LTL where the big money is 85k-100k home every day. I had my eye on an LTL job the entire time but it took a couple years experience to land with Conway, FedEx, or Overnite back then. Now Conway, FedEx, and UPSF have dock to driver training programs that can help you avoid a Swift, USEX, or Pumpkin.

I have had a number of seasoned drivers working for smaller regional companies ask me what we make and so on. Usually they do not believe me when I tell them, and I am a P&D driver.

Understand that at an LTL you will be treated like as a number, it will be tough at the start (based on seniority), hours will be unpredictable, and you will pull a set, but give it a couple of years and your pay will more than double most OTR carriers and it is all worth it.

Been on both sides and Conway has never made me sit for free 1000 miles away from home..

Guardrail · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 08:34 PM

Don't tell everyone how good we have it or they will flock to the LTL sector and our pay will drop.

I've had to sit 1000 miles from home, but I was on the clock.

JLKKLJ777 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 10:17 PM

Pay scales are subjective. The amount of work a p&d driver does compared to a truckload driver is much greater. You have the clock working against you and have to hustle to make all your pick ups and deliveries by the end of your shift. Compare that to a truckload driver that picks up a load and drives for a day or so and then makes 1 delivery. Alot less stress over all.

In my opinion the BEST job to have is a union line haul job where the driver does not have to count freight, load or unload, or deal with ANY customers at all as well as be home on a regular basis.

Short of the union linehaul position would be OTR TEAM driving with your spouse. Thats what I do. Year to date we are at 65 grand so far this year.

It is nice that there are so many alternatives in this industry that we can all find our "niche."

jakebrake12 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLKKLJ777

Pay scales are subjective. The amount of work a p&d driver does compared to a truckload driver is much greater. You have the clock working against you and have to hustle to make all your pick ups and deliveries by the end of your shift. Compare that to a truckload driver that picks up a load and drives for a day or so and then makes 1 delivery. Alot less stress over all.

In my opinion the BEST job to have is a union line haul job where the driver does not have to count freight, load or unload, or deal with ANY customers at all as well as be home on a regular basis.

Short of the union linehaul position would be OTR TEAM driving with your spouse. Thats what I do. Year to date we are at 65 grand so far this year.

It is nice that there are so many alternatives in this industry that we can all find our "niche."

Different things for different people. As I figure it, out 5 days = 120 hours, I made $1000sh per week, out 45-55 hours per week I make $1100-1400 per week. Line drivers $1750-2000 per week for 55-60 hours.

I do agree that team driving at a good company with the wife is a good deal. Most do not have that option.

As far as the union position, if you have the time in that is THE BEST. It takes too long, and IMO, those jobs won't be around by time I had enough time to hold one. UPSF is the exception, but I have enough time in here to make it too hard to start over.

the1papabear · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Guardrail

Don't tell everyone how good we have it or they will flock to the LTL sector and our pay will drop.

I've had to sit 1000 miles from home, but I was on the clock.

lazy butt .... monkey but that is

ltlloveaffair · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 07:45 PM

I would rather drive OTR than work for Conway. As far as LTL goes, they are the worst. The have one of the highest turnovers if not the highest. When you are one of the highest paying LTL carriers around and you can't keep drivers, that says it all. I know dozens of people that left ccx/conway freight (nice uniforms by the way, tableclothes) for jobs that don't even pay OT. That company has taken more away from there drivers sales representatives (lol always loved that title) in the last 5 years than most companies have taken away in 30. Only the top 5% of drivers make that kind of money there, be honest. Over the long haul you can make more at most other LTL companies and have a better retirement because of the 5 year 3 month top rate crap. When you're talking 401k and long term investing, an extra 3 years 3 months of making a higher rate can't be caught up with. Take that along with the beating up of you're body while slaving on the dock in the horrific conditions and that spells, TURNOVER. The equipment is horrible they dont even have twin screws and forget about AC. The mechanics are overworked and it shows. While things might look good now I honestly see conway being sold within 10 years. The reason will be turnover. The main reason they are even competetive today is because of the 10 year + drivers who lost got screwed royal on their pensions and are basically stuck there because they don't want to lose the little piece of grass they have left with vacations and the measily pension on the way. Once that group of guys is gone and I guess about 10-15 years tops it will be a nigtmare situation with very inexperienced drivers and customers notice that. Of all my years in LTL and trucking some of the clowns I see stepping out of the blue and white tableclothes are really scarry. I've seen mutual customers stop giving freight to conway because of the attitude/appearance (that's a major factor in deciding who get's freight because everyone is close on price) yet alone the amount of damage that's been rising dramatically for the past 5 or 6 years because of the "I don't care" attitude. Hell I know guys at conway that have 20+ years that tell me how people damage freight on purpose just to let out frustration and these guys are the veterans. Now I know most people don't do that but when it's coffee talk and being heard all around the industry, that's spells disaster.