I'm here at my 1st stop 1 of 3 and I am doing a 10 hour reset for my 5:00 a.m. delivery. I was needing to know a couple things. Should I enter arrived at 1st stop or wait until 5:00 a.m? If you have done these Dollar Tree accounts you will understand that before you arrive, You need to get a game plan for how you are going to get your truck in this tight back alleys to unload. Now this is not a problem really for me yet but I Did have a question about route planning. I was never really taught how to plan my routes other than using A GPS. I have an Atlas but I do not really know of the best way to plan a route any tips on route planning, or tools you use to plan? Thanks
Anyone drive the dollar tree account?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Nsuaqcat, Apr 12, 2020.
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IF you are physically arrived at the first delivery on their dock, send that call in now. That way the company knows you are there.
NEVER try to cut it fine to 5 or whatever time. Suppose you sleep in BOOM service failure. And they will not care that you were actually there the previous night.
Trip planning with atlas on paper involves a ledger pad, math and miles to A B and C and D etc all the way to your destination. That means ignoring the GPS device. And a pencil with sharperer. Plus a calculator. You will be a while.
After doing several of those plannings with options A, B and C including alternative parking spots and alternative fueling options combined with the future weather situation pending you will feel that the GPS is for idiots. (No offense)Mooseontheloose and Nsuaqcat Thank this. -
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The Dollar Store here in Maine in Sullivan. The driver gets to back in from the 2 lane highway.
BigDog Trucker Thanks this. -
BigDog Trucker and Mooseontheloose Thank this.
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If Google maps is for some reason showing a route that is much quicker/shorter than your truck gps, pull out your paperback Rand Mcnally map and check the "short cut" routes that google maps is giving you for any low bridges/truck restrictions on that particular route.
Obviously for all stores that your going to prior to arriving look them up on Google earth to get an overhead view so you can figure out the best way to approach the store to get set up for a sight side back versus a blind side...
Using the street view on Google earth definitely helps so you can see if any fire hydrants, high curbs, fences, poles, etc etc that are going to be an issue and you can plan accordingly your approach ( or atleast try to ) before arriving to avoid those obstacles.Last edited: Apr 12, 2020
TokyoJoe, tscottme, Black_Yeshua and 2 others Thank this. -
Sometimes good, sometimes a waste of time, but you can call ahead and let your next stop know when you're coming and if they have any special instructions or tips
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Best thing you can do is to find a way to get off of that Dollar account before you have an accident/incident or three, get fired and find yourself nearly unemployable in this industry. Do some searches on here for Dollar General, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar jobs and you will see what I'm talking about.
firemedic2816, TokyoJoe, tscottme and 3 others Thank this. -
You should enter your arrival call as soon as you make it to any delivery. My company gives us routing. Most of the time its spot on. Sometimes i have to make adjustments on their routing. Your GPS will have you take the shortest route possible. I always check my routing with the Google maps. Google maps is truly the best option in my mind because of the constant updates. Check your routes with Google maps, put it in satellite mode and check out everything. (Secret: it's a tip to find overnight parking). If you're unfamiliar with a territory, stay on the numbered routes, ie state highways and U.S. highways, and interstates. Since you're on a dedicated, over time you will discover shortcuts. Now, your atlas will tell you everything you need to know to not get yourself in trouble. Always go by the atlas.
andre, TokyoJoe and BigDog Trucker Thank this. -
Did you ask for this.
Are you company or lease.
There's nothing to gain on the dollar tree account
For a new driver.
You won't make a penny more than anybody else,
But you'll work twice as hard for it.
Your chances of having a backing accident go up
Ten fold. Then they'll fire you.
You got lucky this time being there early.
Most of the time it's gonna be a full parking
Lot of cars when you get there.
Summer is here too. Good luck in those 100 degree
Trailers.TokyoJoe and BigDog Trucker Thank this.
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