Starting Out As A New Driver In LTL/linehaul

Hey all. Currently studying for my permit and have recently applied at FedEx Freight as an apprentice. I'm not interested in driving OTR. I know some of you have always driven LTL , any advice? What other LTL companies take new drivers? I have a solid work history and a spotless MVR , and I've held a DOT card before. Don't know how much that matters though... I see so many mixed reviews on schools, not sure if I want to go that route, especially if I can get an apprentice position somewhere. I'm not desperate for a job, so I can play the waiting game, I just want to get an idea of what my odds are of getting my foot in the door with an LTL company.

Welcome.

Your odds are very good. Are you in the Harrisburg / York / Carlisle area? If so, you will have many options.

I went into LTL linehaul with Old Dominion right out of trucking school. Had I known OD has a program where they take prospective drivers off the street and train them for their CDL , I probably would've gone right to OD without getting my CDL first. But, I went to a really good private school in York and I don't regret that decision. The school cost me 5k, and with how good OD pays, I had it paid off in a matter of a few months - plus OD gives tuition reimbursement.

If you are indeed in the HBG / York / Carlisle area, I'd highly recommend Fed Ex Freight, Old Dominion, or SAIA. I'm not sure if SAIA has their own schooling or not. I'm not basing this suggestion from personal bias, but if I had to choose between Fed Ex Freight or OD, I'd choose OD. There are reasons for that. The terminal in Harrisburg brings tremendous opportunity for linehaul (e.g. daylight linehaul in only a couple years and the ability to gain seniority at a good clip due to continued expansion), and they do hire P&D frequently.

You've got Estes in York. Fed Ex Freight, OD, and Saia in the greater Harrisburg area. I wouldn't bother with UPSF, ABF, YRC, NEMF, or Central Transport. Ward is a smaller outfit that has a terminal in Camp Hill. XPO (formerly Conway-Freight) is out of York, but somewhat of a mystery to me since they changed hands.

The union shops like UPSF, ABF, and YRC will keep you by the phone to start out. You've got a long, uphill road to get a bid run as linehaul driver at those places, and when it's slow, prepare for not working at all. Not sure how their P&D operates. Simply put, OD, Fed Ex Freight, and SAIA will offer much better opportunity for you as a new driver.

One thing to consider with SAIA is that they are just now moving into the northeast with their freight lanes. The current "Harrisburg" terminal is in Mount Joy (Lancaster), and they have plans to expand to Middletown (Harrisburg) with a larger terminal. Now would be a prime time to get your foot in the door with an LTL that is a major player. You'd gain 'instant' seniority since they plan on doing a lot of hiring over the next few years. True, seniority doesn't count in P&D, but at SAIA you can take your hire date and apply that seniority if you'd choose to switch to linehaul from P&D. Apparently, you can seamlessly switch from P&D to linehaul. Most LTLs run separate boards for linehaul and P&D, so if you switch, you lose your seniority.

Hope all this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. There's a Fed Ex Freight driver on here who will chime in, hopefully. There are a few of us LTL drivers here. I try to represent LTL whenever I can. Going linehaual was what I always wanted to do. I love being home every day, and I make enough money that my wife can stay home with the kids. It's the best trucking job I could ever ask for. Here's a thread I started specifically about LTL.

LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

Thanks a lot for the reply 6 string. I'm up near Williamsport. Ward, XPO and FedEx Freight (and ground) have terminals near me. I think Estes and Penske have terminals too, but I haven't heard much about them. I saw on XPO's website that they do have a driver training program, and I think Ward does as well. All require working the dock, but I'm totally fine with that. I've been on the fence about going back to doing courier work since I have contacts in that world, but the pay isn't as good as driving a big truck. The hours are a little easier on the family life though. I farm with my family right now, so I'm used to long days and heavy work. But we're doing some downsizing so its time to figure something else out, and I've always wanted to give pro-driving a shot. Thanks again! I'll keep ya posted.

Well, you gotta work with your location. Ward is a good outfit, just small. Fed Ex Freight is a top notch LTL. I don't know much about XPO. I don't know anything about Penske - I thought they just rented trucks? I think Old Dominion's closest terminal to your location would be Scranton.

I wouldn't look into Fed Ex Ground. Those fleets are run by owner / operators and you'll be a 1099 employee. Go with Fed Ex Freight over Fed Ex Ground.

One more thing. You'll need your hazmat , doubles / triples, and tank endorsements if you wanna go linehaul. Use the resources here to study and you'll ace the exams.

I concur with what 6 string said.

With FedEx Freight you'll work the dock till you get through the apprentice program and then after getting kicked-out on runs during the night hours when freight levels dictate it.

Pay is good and you'll get a variety of runs. FedEx Freight also works hard to make sure you get your 40hrs every week when freight levels are low. The union shops could care less and others are a hit or miss.

You can bid for city work when the twice a year bidding opens up and if there is a slot you can work days delivering freight local. Tough work but you'll get plenty of backing practice :)

If 6 string is right about SAIA expanding I'd look into that too. Nothing like getting in on the ground floor. Instant seniority which means road runs and little dock work.