Question:
hello all
the coneslayer finally graduated,now searching for work.
seeking pros and cons of union jobs and roadway in particular.
Have spent quite awhile on their website but don't find any info re new grad training..anybody been there???
also am single and have dog who is best friend and needs to go too after orientation,do they have a pet policy???
the "school" i graduated from did not have any trailers longer than 36ft and don't have any experience with logs,ect....
at least searches have not revealed much negative about roadway.
thanks in advance for your help
ps those who can't be helpfull,please spare anymore negativity.

Answer:
don't have time to get into great detail here but:
If you can manage to get on w/Roadway, take it and run! Don't look back.
FedEx Freight , the outfit i just left, i think does hire rookies and they are a pretty good outfit even though they are not union. But they are pretty much like roadway except without all the macho bull$hit and other union idiocyncrasies.
Note: i am not nessesarily against unions, i'm just saying ...

Answer:
I very seriously doubt that Roadway would allow pets since most if not all of their operation involves slip seating.
I am sorry I can not tell you much about them and their hiring policies, but why not just pick up the phone and call them and see what is involved. More than likely though if hired you would end up starting as a dock worker and have to work up from there. This seems to be the norm with the LTL carriers like Roadway, ABF, etc, though what is normal here may very differ in other parts of the nation depending on how successful the company is in getting and keeping employees.
One thing for sure. You can not waste much time in finding someone to go to work for. If more than 30 days pass your options start becoming even more limited.
Answer:
dear uturn thanks for the reply ...can you explain why the 30 day limit..first i've heard of it.
the position ive applied for is line haul no dock stuff but am gravley concerned re road test due to recent mill experience and no "real" trailers to work with.
i actually am quite anxious to get to work as have paid out of pocket for school and not had any income during that time,unfortunatly my mortgage did not take a vacation..lol.
have been considering a housemate situation so maybe could work in dogsitting too but have definite doggy care for a month for training.he has been such a good friend i do not think i could give him up,the long hauls we have made together while i was a traveling nurse have worked out really well
with the possible exception of the straight trip for 26hours to naples fla,which neither of us enjoyed much....
thanks so much for the info

Answer:
are unions any worse???it seems that women are still rare in the industry although have had favorable responses from all the companies i've spoken with.i have no experience with unions and one pressing question the website does not spell out the membership fees....feel free to pm me when you have a moment
thanks

Answer:
Here's how a union company works:
First, you must have at least 2 years experience driving.
Next, you work the "casual" board for about 4-5 years before being hired on, most likely for local delivery. The casual board means that you are on call every day, but only work 1 or 2 days a week, usually monday and/or tuesday. Other days, you must be available, but you'll still need to make a living somewhere, and it can't be driving for a non-union company. A lot of guys that do this are farmers or cab drivers the rest of the time.
Answer:

Another expert that knows little concerning IBT Carriers
and their practices.

Not true,most are 1 year all weather experience.

Not true. There are three "casual" boards,Dock, P&D and Linehaul.

Not true,it would depend on where you're domiciled. It could be 1 day or 7.

Not true. You may work wherever you please.

A lot of guys that comment on IBT jobs should be Farmers or Cab Drivers.
For any factual information concerning the IBT and Union Jobs....
http://www.teamster.org/
http://www.teamster.org/jobbank.htm
Answer:
Maineiac,I'm afraid the chance of being hired at any Union Carrier will be slim to none because of your lack of experience. You being a Female could give you an outside chance. Yellow/Roadway may take a Newbie for a Team operation,I don't really know.
Union carriers allow no passengers Human or not,except Employees or others in an emergency. The Union intiation fee and dues may be deducted from your checks,no up front costs depending on the "local" Union.
Answer:
unless i am mistaken the offer i responded to was recruiting new grads....perhaps an error.we will all find out soon enough as i plan to call them this am and will let you know how it works out.
am really mixed about my dog...that seems to be the only sticking point....who knows miracles can happen...appreciate all of your input and patience


Answer:
Try going to there websites
www.abf.com
www.roadway.com
www.myyellow.com
they all have hiring pages abf has email for the hiring managers give them an email. For the most part they get back to you in a short amount of time. I think the fact that you are a woman will work to your advantage. The dog thing not so good.
Even try going to some of the local trucking companys in your area and talk withthem. What's the worse they are going to say is no.
Good luck
Crazycracker

Answer:

I checked the hiring requirements for Roadway and Yellow.
They do accept Newbies with training from an accepted school.
The one year driving experience is a preferred requirement.
I know your Dog is a draw back for you,unfortunetly there's
no way realisticly to take it along. You won't be "living" in the truck.
As a new employee you will have little choice of job assignments.
You could be home everynight or gone for possibly a week,
sleeping in motels.
Working for a Union Carrier is not a "lifestyle" position,it's a job.
Answer:
thanks for the research for me..i have spent a good part of the day waiting for a return call,if the manager came back,although everyperson has been pleasant it is similiar to trying to get through to the president.spent quite awhile with the dispatcher who seems to think it would be a line haul a couple of days per week...
will not be able to confirm local job that does take dogs untill monday as the owner is on vacation.
thanks so much for your help,and ideas...

Answer:

....and RAEBLAM calls me a liar.........
Answer:

Congratulations !

Answer:

You seem to have a comprehension problem
concerning my comment on you and your knowledge.
A liar intentionally distorts the facts,where as yours
come from ignorence concerning IBT Carriers.

"Seems to think" by a Dispatcher is still lacking facts.
Linehaul "a couple days per week" originally dispatched from the home
terminal could in fact be thousands of miles per week.
Theoreticly speaking two days a week could result in more earnings
than seven at some of the OTR Carriers.