ABF Freight System Reviews

Pros

I have worked in the freight industry for over 25 years and for two other freight companies. A,B,F. by far is the best in the business. They expect a lot from their employees but they give you a lot of freedom to do your job. Quality work is always expected. It has a small company atmosphere from a big company .

Cons

The work week is long. If you like overtime, this is the place to work. After working Monday thru Friday, you are often forced to work Saturday or Sunday.

Advice to Senior Management

Working long hours five days a week is expected in the freight industry. Working six days a week with no end leaves little room for family or rest.

Pros

It has supported me and my growing family. It is a bussiness that won't ever be going away, just changes.

Cons

Your life work balance isn't the best and advancement opportunites are either given by kissing butt or just being bad at your job and your boss wants you off his hands.

Pros

Great coworkers and professional senior staff, good pay

Cons

Union issues present many challenges ahead

Advice to Senior Management

Be honest with us

Pros

In the general office, ABF has a family atmosphere. Upper management interacts with many levels of employees. There is relatively little "politics" and the people that work hard and work smart are more likely to succeed. You will never be fired for making a business mistake, no matter how big, as long as it was an honest mistake. However, if you make a "moral/ethical" mistake you could easily lose your job, regardless of how well you are liked. I think this shows strong character of management.

Cons

ABF expects a lot out of it's top talent, and most of the top talent is salaried. When a job needs to get done you are expected to work your tail off until the job is completed and completed well. The benefits are still good, but every year they cost more and cover less to the point that our benefits are not nearly as much of a selling point to potential hires as they used to be.

Advice to Senior Management

Management does a great job. We get very clear communication on a frequent basis and we have high respect for their decision-making abilities. We all expect ABF to continue to be the most ethical carrier around.

Pros

Innovations in IT-I would say that if it is not he best, it as 'as good' as the best in the industry. Small town like atmosphere in the company. Above average pay/benefits. I am set to retire by the end of 2011 and I really can't think of a better trucking company--I have worked for 'a few'.

Cons

Labor costs-highest in Industry--limits this company from being the absolute best in the industry.
The other 2 cons (and this is still a great place) 1. Micromangement--you'd better be familar with making spread sheets and interpreting facts on the sheets.
2) it seems you have to be a graduate of the University of Arkansas (not Little Rock), but Fayetteville, OR from Arkansas to really move way up

Advice to Senior Management

don't cave in to the Teamsters! You are much too strong--they need you, you don't need them--I guess that is an oxymoron.

Pros

plenty of work. Everyday is different

Cons

long hours, union enviroment makes it challenging

Pros

The company is loyal to their employees. Politics in the field is very limited, and as long as you perform you will be treated fairly at ABF.

Cons

Old Fashioned. Slow to react to the market. Not very innovative. ABF is a late mover to any market, and ABF does not have any competitive advantages at this time.

Advice to Senior Management

Get innovative. Bring in some new blood from outside to turn ABF in the right direction. Develop a new competitive advantage that will set ABF appart from our competitors.

Pros

The home office in Ft. Smith AR has some of the most helpful and friendly people I ever worked with. The benefits package is one of the best in the industry. Compensation is competitive and they offer the tools and training to be successful with your career

Cons

Earned vacation is not competitive, 7 years to get a 3rd week of vacation. Promotional pay increases are not in line with the increase in responsibility or cost of living changes if moving to a larger city. Micromanagement is a serious problem with this company.

Advice to Senior Management

Give more credit to the people you hire and let them do their job rather than micromanaging them. Train your RVP's to be better coachs and not micromanagers.

Pros

Very rewarding work environment every day.

Cons

None. I love working for ABF.

Advice to Senior Management

None at this time, everything is fine.

Pros

Overall a good company. Upper management is extremely competent with an average of 30+ years of company experience at the corporate level. The work itself is challenging but definitely not for everyone; high stress and constant change. You have to be a glutton for punishment to work here. However, the difficulty of the job makes it worth while.

Cons

If you aren't able to produce results this isn't a job for you. Upper management will constantly hound you until you are able to be above goal. Then, after you meet them consistently the goals will be changed so they're back out of reach. It has taken a large effort on my part to be successful in managing my family and work life.

Advice to Senior Management

The occasional 'Atta boy' would be nice. You don't get those too often working here.