The Sygma Network

I just left SYGMA Harrisburg after 2 weeks! That was a tough job. I might have kept with it 10 years ago but after turning 40 this year, my mind wrote a check that my body just couldn't cash.

I did not have the same experience regarding people. Everyone I met seemed like good workers and Sygma/Sysco is a great company. Excellent benefits. But I could not handle the hours and workload. WAY too much team work. The recruiter said that as a team, one guy does the first half and the other guy does the second. But in reality, one guy drives out, BOTH guys deliver all the stops and the other guy - now dog tired - drives home.

Not my cup of tea.

 

I have spent the last 17 years with Sysco/Sygma, the 1st 4 were with Sysco in San Angelo ,TX. I moved to Columbus, OH and started with Sygma, stayed there for 7 years. One more move back to the DFW area and have been with at the Dallas center since. Everyone is deadon, the work is not easy but it is like any other job, you get use to it. It becomes just another day at work. One very small thing the have made a big difference since coming to the Dallas center is that my dolly/handtruck has a brake on it. It makes coming down the ramp with those heavy loads very easy. There have been times when I wanted to walk out but a man with a family has to do what is best for the family and Sygma has always been the best choice for me. Very good benefits, good retirement and excellent pay. While in Ohio the pay rates were lower than what were posted here but every year the went up as per the union contract. Since I've been in Dallas I have made more money than in Ohio. I use to run extra routes when they added "incentive money" and if I knew the route was going to be a "gravy" route. With that being said I'm sure that you are wondering what I've been making. While in Ohio my best year was 65+. Again the rates were lower so I would expect more now. This year in Dallas my last pay check showed YTD of 88,693. This is not the perfect job, not the easiest job ,nor is it "the best job" but it has provided a very well for my family. I will be happy to answer any questions.

 

Anyone know how it is out of the CT terminal? I spoke the recruiter last week and he told me that drivers average 68k a year. But he also said that you would get 3 runs. If each run is 24-26hrs thats about $17-18 an hour for whats supposed to be a more strenuous truck driving job. Are my numbers a little off? If it was 2 runs (4 days) for 68K that would be a little more in line with what people are saying.

 

You might want to stop thinking about a dollar per hour rate being a truck driver... lol

As far as physical labor, you're only humping it for about 30-60 minutes per stop. It's not that bad, but it will take some getting used to.

 

BearGator is right, don't always think about $/hr. Right now my work week consists of a local run, a short team run and a solo run with a lay-over. They would end up paying around 29/h,13.50/hr and 19/hr respectively. At my center we make the majority of our pay on the weight. I prefer to run the long team routes and make more on the mileage. I also have a co-driver that I trust which makes it easier. I also bid for days of as long as the work week pays close to a certain amount so it doesn't matter if I'm out for 3 1/2 days, home for 1/2, then out for 1 day. Or, if I'm in and out of a truck for 4 local runs.

 

Are you at The Colony or Arlington? I currently work for Sygma and I'm looking to transfer to a Texas center ... most likely The Colony. Any info on the centers down there would be great.

 

Each fleet is probably only about 10-15% daycabs. They are mostly on the local routes, but there are some layovers. If you're on a layover, SYGMA does pay for per diem and hotel. Each center has different arrangements, so you may have to pay out of pocket, but will be reimbursed. Many centers will set up an advance before ever sending you out like that.

I'm not sure what concepts (customers) that Columbus services, but they go well into FL from that center. They pretty much service the Eastern seaboard.

 

I worked out of the Columbus Terminal.

Routes are 2 to 3 day runs and most are out of town (Ohio, Indy, Michigan etc). For those you'll be driving team in a sleeper cab. If you get put with a guy who has his own route, more than likely he'll drive to all the stores and you'll both unload, then you'll get to drive back while he's in the sleeper. I guess they do this to save time since he already knows the route. All I can say is take some no doze or energy drinks, you'll need em for that drive back. Some routes are 1 driver and a "helper" (this is probably what you saw). The helper doesn't drive, he just helps you unload. Helper can also show you where the stores are, unless he like to nap, then you're on your own . Helpers get paid much less than drivers, which seemed to make them a pretty grouchy bunch.

Columbus term delivers to Wendys and Donatos stores mostly. They also do Max & Ermas, Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream shop) and Baja Fresh (mexican fish joint).

I only had to stay in a hotel twice while I worked there and it was paid for by Sygma.

 

I know their on time and order accuracy numbers haven't been that great as of late... They are rock bottom of the company. Safety rating is bad, too.

As a driver, you're in control of your own numbers, but when I see a center that far down in the dumps, I'm not so sure I'd be ready to go there. Annualized retention rates are horrible, too. Means that they're having a hard time keeping people.

I would want to talk to drivers that worked there before making that move. I'm betting morale is poor, and management is stressed out.