LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

Eric S. when I ran Team @ fred meyer in 91-2 ( out of portland Or. to salt lake Ut. and back ) we had the set's hooked for us mostly ,but sometimes we'd have to hook & both of us would hostle the dollies " ....then @ ETC terminal in Boise Id. we had to lift the tongue ...weight ... but most newer ones have a landing gear roll wheel for help ) But that's when I pretty much gave up the line haul in 04 "really hurt my back bad ", then the ICE / up hill ....yeah I hear ya ...you earn all the hourly you get ...and keep's ya in good shape when your young ,,,, if I could get a gig to pull hooked sets from boise Id to twin falls, Id. & back occassionally I'd do that .. but NO break & Hook ... but freight co.'s want full timers ...

like unloading a loaded trailer ( lumping your own load ) .. dont do that any more either ......LOL !!

Right on Jon R! LOL

Coming up on a year with my linehaul job for ODFL. I figured I'd pop back in and let everybody know that running linehaul for OD just gets better and better. After learning the ins and outs of linehaul, how to work with dispatch and planners, where the terminals are located, how things are done at each individual terminal , and just learning how to operate a rig better with more experience, I've been able to just settle in and enjoy my job even more. The culture at OD is awesome, the pay and bennies are fantastic, and I'm just having a blast running linehaul. Sure, it's hard work, but I wouldn't wanna do any other type of trucking, or work for any other company. I'm a lifer, Lord willing.

Coming up on a year with my linehaul job for ODFL. I figured I'd pop back in and let everybody know that running linehaul for OD just gets better and better. After learning the ins and outs of linehaul, how to work with dispatch and planners, where the terminals are located, how things are done at each individual terminal , and just learning how to operate a rig better with more experience, I've been able to just settle in and enjoy my job even more. The culture at OD is awesome, the pay and bennies are fantastic, and I'm just having a blast running linehaul. Sure, it's hard work, but I wouldn't wanna do any other type of trucking, or work for any other company. I'm a lifer, Lord willing.

Told ya you'd be alright ya big girl.

Was that only a year ago?

You owe us breakfast now.

Over and out.

Told ya you'd be alright ya big girl.

Was that only a year ago?

You owe us breakfast now.

Over and out.

I've owed you breakfast for about a year now. Thanks for all your support buddy!

Well, we had our rebid at our terminal. Rebid is when drivers get to bid on schedules based on their seniority. I'm happy to say, that based on my current seniority I've gained, it looks like I am high enough now to be able to work strictly daylight if I so choose. I'm running linehaul now on day shift! The 'worst' part about this job has just been taken away - no more night shift!

Woo-Hoo! Conratulations!

I cant say anything about swifts solo runs since im still with my mentor... but between you and heavy ... if you guys keep talking i just might apply after i do my year with swift. i see OD trucks everyday and I tell my mentor... he doesnt say much about em... rolly not allowed. i glanced at linehaul requirements. 1 year and/or school recognized or OD school. Hazmat , Doubles/Triples, Tanker. congtulations on your seniority and thank you for sharing. you have made OD the dream company on my list.

Nice Six-String! Well deserved!

THank you Old School and Larry, appreciate it!

Mr. Smith, linehaul is a different animal from truckload gigs. I've noticed that drivers who come from the truckload world REALLY appreciate a linehaul gig w/ an LTL company. And you made a great observation, OD will accept a new driver from accepted schools. That's how I got hired as a new student graduate without any experience. Of course, my terminal is a larger one and is hiring more frequently for linehaul. Some terminals hire for combo drivers too - which is exactly what it sounds like, a combination of P&D or linehaul. Only thing is that combo drivers don't get any seniority, but start off being home every day. No schedule runs, just a schedule start time. Basically an extra. So if you're looking for an OD gig at your local OD terminal, you could find P&D, linehaul, or combo openings.

And just to reiterate, my situation is probably different from the norm. Our terminal is the break bulk for the entire NE, and there are often job openings due to demand. There are other larger terminals in parts of the country that are hiring linehaul drivers frequently, but might hire more extra or wild drivers. I know that larger OD terminals in Georgia and North Carolina hire new linehaul drivers, and these drivers have to wait years just to get a schedule, even if a night schedule. They might be wild bag drivers for a few years in the beginning until they gain enough seniority. I was hired as a wild bag driver, but only had to bag out (being at hotels 4 days a week) for about 2 months until I got a night schedule. And getting a daylight gig as a linehaul driver is definitely not the norm after only about 1 year. Some terminals, especially smaller ones, don't even have any daytime linehaul gigs, daytime gigs would only be P&D. Just to set the record straight for folks interested in what I've been describing. Each OD terminal offers unique job opportunities of its own. Some terminals don't even bid at all, since they might only have 1/2 a dozen linehaul drivers.