LTL (less than truckload) job is something to consider when choosing

Let me just say that I love to drive truck. I am happiest when I'm rolling down the big road and getting paid above average earnings for driving. If you are just getting into trucking or are unhappy being OTR and away from home or not earning a fair wage with your current OTR gig, then I would highly recommend researching an LTL company in your area. The big name LTL carriers are experiencing a driver shortage as well, and if you have a clean record you have a good chance of being hired on. I ran OTR for awhile and got some good safe miles with the sole intention of eventually becoming a local, home everyday driver and couldn't be happier with my LTL job right now. If you haven't checked into this kind of job let me fill you in a little.
The larger companies such as FED EX FREIGHT, OLD DOMINION, ESTES, SAIA, AND XPO LOGISTICS to name a few, have a competitive job market for new drivers. They offer above average hourly, and mileage pay with increases over a period of time until you reach top tier. 401K, decent insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and many weekends off for most drivers. It sounded to good to be true for me when I was hiring on to LTL, but it's true!
The only downside to getting on with a carrier like the ones listed above is that many of them are unionized and if they're non-union they try to follow union type policies, which means first and foremost that seniority is everything when it comes to work, and vacations. I knew this when I hired on and knew I would have to ride it out for some time until I worked my way up in seniority a bit.
Most new hires will be at the bottom of the board for known work assignments. This could mean odd hours or waiting by the phone to be available. They may run you in the city (local pick up and delivery), which is decent hourly wages, or have you run a linehaul trip (hauling combination pup trailers to another destination, dropping, hooking and returning home). This is mileage based pay.
The main thing for myself is being home everyday and weekends off. After a few years of my LTL job I have secured a good position with my company. And I think many drivers out there get discouraged with these OTR jobs and don't realize what they may be missing.
In summary I would like to say that if you are happy with your current driving gig, then good for you, but if you are unhappy with OTR life or wages, research hiring on with an LTL trucking company. You may be very happy that you did!

 

You make some good observations, but the alternative is OTR, which also means being away from home for long periods and working nights on many loads. If I'm going to work nights, which I do, I would rather see my family everyday and weekends. I see this as a much better alternative to OTR.