Saia Dockworker To Local City Driver Program

Does anyone have any information regarding this particular program or a similar program. Apparently Saia has a program in which you work the docks on 3rd shift loading and unloading freight using a forklift and after 90 days your eligible for cdl training that is 4 weeks. After you obtain your cdl you become a driver trainee (2nd shift) in which you complete an additional 300 hours or 6-12 months and then you go on your own. Just curious if any one can tell me if this is a good program. I guess on my end I would need to pay special attention to my offer letter and be sure their goal is to train me for a cdl and not just be driving a forklift.

Phillip I am not aware of any current drivers on the forum working for Saia. Their program sounds similar to FedEx, same approach.

Here is additional information you can clink-on for Saia LTL Freight

Seems pretty clever to me.

1) Put someone on a forklift, which is a fairly dangerous machine that requires patience and dealing with vehicle center of gravity issues.

2) If they wreck a forklift, it costs a few thousand dollars to fix (you really have to work HARD or be completely clueless to seriously break a forklift), and the chances of killing someone else are much smaller.

3) If they are driving that forklift and actually unloading trucks, they can speak with drivers, and will have experience seeing how loads should and should not be loaded.

4) If they drive that forklift safely, come to work on time, and actually do productive work when on the job while not being a complete butthead to other employees, hey, that's someone we might want to put in a truck!

Win-win for Saia, I'd say.

Philip, these programs are pretty common in LTL. If you're interested in LTL , you should check out some other companies. Not to say that Saia isn't a good company. Point is that most these LTLs are pretty much the same and all of them offer competitive wages, union or non-union. Chances are if you have a Saia terminal nearby, you'll have other LTLs. Some LTLs will hire directly from the street and have a program where you can earn your license as a driver from day one - without having to work the dock. A lot of this depends on the terminal. I work for Old Dominion as a linehaul driver and our opportunities vary from terminal to terminal. We have some terminals that have a "dock to driver" program, similar to what you mentioned. And other terminals, like my home terminal, will hire from the street and pay trainees to earn their license as drivers from day one.

Best of luck. Do your homework and see what companies are in your area. You might uncover an opportunity that fits better than another one.

Phillip, 6-String is the forum's LTL expert. You can trust his experience, knowledge and frank opinion.

Let us know how this all turns out for you.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will keep you up to date. Be safe!

Phillip replied:

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will keep you up to date. Be safe!

Good luck!