ABF Driver Development Program Opportunity, Your Thoughts .

Hey TT , I just came across this job opportunity and decided to apply and wanted to get some feedback. The position requires a class A permit with tanker , doubles/Triples endorsement and ability to obtain a hazmat . I already have the TWIC and medical for my transit job , Anyway ABF would send you to school for 4 weeks and then train for approximately 4 more I believe . So you would then go into a P/D position. It's an hourly job and the yard is about 20min from my home , I know that they are a union outfit as well and I've heard some good things . Its seems like a decent opportunity and could balance it with my reserve commitment . I dont know if I'll even hear back but they were strongly considering applicants with some military background so I figured why not apply . I would love some of your guys advice if I do happen to get a call .

P & D is one of the most difficult ways to get started in this job. What major city are you near that you'd be working in? Especially being a union job it's all seniority based and being low man guess where you'll be? You'll be sent most likely into the downtown area because the senior drivers dont want to deal with it. Most drivers OTR say they dont feel their backing was decent until 6 months in. You will get 1 month and be expected to back into narrow alleyways, block rush hour traffic and keep a level head the entire time. Hopefully someone with experience doing that work will chime in, but if you rack up multiple accidents don't be surprised if you're let go and have a hard time finding work.

I'm not trying to make your decision for you but I dont think it's in your best interest long term. I know I'm a bit of a hypocrite because I did similar but knowing what I know now, I dont know if I'd go the same route I did.

It's a Long Island position , Suffolk county . I've had some experience backing 48' flatbeds with the Navy and lived and driven here my whole life to this point but I figured it would be more difficult. As for the union I've been in them for some time and know the in and out good and bad . Starting out always sucks and yea it could be awhile which is something I'm not sure I want to deal with again especially if I'm doing well but again if you're the low man it doesn't help too much . I'm just trying to prep myself if this does come to the table .

It depends on where you are. Since the yard is only 20 minutes away, I would talk to some of those guys and ask their opinions on it. Ltl is different because while there's a set way of doing things, terminals operate independently. There's no way anybody can tell you anything a Google search won't turn up. To get real opinions you have to talk to them.

I don't know much about Union jobs, but from the guys at FXF that used to be at UPSF, they say they just sat by the phone a lot. They'd get runs or p/d runs, but they weren't enough to make decent money because the guys with seniority were taking the runs. Again, this varies based on how busy/understaffed a terminal is. Best bet, talk to people out of that barn.

Best of luck.

Personally I wouldn't advise starting out with P&D work in New York it could lead to a short career. P&D drivers at my terminal make about 10 stops a day but they are mostly newer modern facilities. not sure how many they would have you do but it could mean 10 plus stops of having to back and maneuver in tight quarters.

If you stayed in long island it wouldnt be so bad ime but if you gotta go to the city i wouldnt advise it driving it your whole life and drivin it in a truck is 2 dif worlds

Personally I wouldn't advise starting out with P&D work in New York it could lead to a short career.

I agree with this. We've watched a few people go against our advice and take a shot at these type of local jobs early in their career and it often ends quite badly. These are some of the most difficult and demanding jobs out there. You're in very heavy traffic most of the time and you're trying to get in and out of very difficult places on a rather tight schedule.

Just understand that if you take a job like this and get into a couple of little fender benders you're likely to get fired and it's going to be extremely difficult to find another opportunity elsewhere. I wouldn't say your career is over at that point, but it's going to be one hell of a struggle recovering from that. You're going to have very limited opportunities for several years.

If you're looking to be home regularly then a job like that would be awesome. But we highly recommend you get at least one full year of OTR experience first and then you'll have the skills to handle a job like that.

Safety is everything in this career. You want to take the safest, surest path into this career which is OTR. Build a strong foundation and then the opportunities will be limitless.

Just wanted to update this So I took a pass on this deciding while continuing my transit job and furthering my navy career besides I'd much prefer getting the OTR experience and lifestyle to start with as well as heading the sage advice of the forum for starting up a solid career foundation. After some deliberation and research I dont think I'd like being local much anyway, though I love driving the big steel it might wait for now . Want to start smart .