FedEx Freight

No, ask these questions at the interview. They're not rude or out of line.
As a former FedEx freight manager I can say I would have welcomed these questions.
Better than the guy who asks nothing and say, "he'll yeah" , then a month into the deal is pissed off because 'you didn't tell me....'.

No, you're in good shape and your mind is right. Proceed with our advice.
Good luck.

 

As a new driver, you would start off on the extra board, which means you fill in when other drivers are off or there’s overflow runs added. You’d be on call from 5-9pm Monday-Friday, and realistically you probably won’t work every single day. I agree that it probably takes about a year to see some consistency.

Not sure all the details on their runs, but they for sure at least go to Springfield, KC, and OKC. Springfield is definitely the shortest run at around 60 miles, so you could expect an hour of driving, 6 hours on the dock, and another hour back. Longer runs like OKC are all driving, no dock.

Keep in mind that FedEx is one of the few LTL companies where linehaul drivers have mandatory dock work on certain runs. If you’re interested in LTL but dock work is a major turn off, it might be worth waiting for an opening at another LTL or even a City Driver position at FedEx.

 

As with many LTL carriers, you gotta pay your dues when starting out before you get settled into something you are satisfied with. It could take several months or years to bid into the choice runs. If the company is able to keep you busy doing whatever extra work is available, you shouldn't starve. You may be working nights, days, city p&d, or dock. If you can hang in, you will land a gig eventually. You just have to be open minded and flexible about your availability to work. For many drivers, dock work is a deal breaker. Just bear in mind that if you're willing to do whatever work they have for a time, you will get a bid eventually. Things will settle a bit after that.

 

Also remember that "dock work" is primarily riding around on a fork lift @ $30 +/- an hour. There's a lot worse ways to make a living.

 

That doesn't make working on an unheated dock at 30 degrees any easier though.

 

Dress for the party and you'll have no problems.