A good problem

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Alios001, Feb 5, 2023.

Which company?

  1. Kroger

  2. Peninsula truck lines

Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. Alios001

    Alios001 Bobtail Member

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    Hi all!
    I just finished my CDL training with Ashley PNW and I'm on the line for 7k on a prorated one year contract. I'm making .53 a mile OTR and I have one month of driving experience. (Noob!)

    I'm already getting two companies that have reached out to me. Peninsula truck lines and Kroger (union). I've already looked at pay and benefits. The pay is so much higher that it makes sense for me to just pay off the debt at Ashley.

    Does anyone have any opinions or information that can help me make a good choice?
    Both companies are near Portland Oregon.
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Interesting; those two companies usually want a year experience. Maybe they need drivers more now.
    Kroger shows over $100,000 a year.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2023
    Alios001 Thanks this.
  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    :laughing3::laughing-guffaw::laughing2::laughing5:,,:hmph:, sorry, it's just,,,:laughing-guffaw:,,I don't know who or what Peninsula is, Ashley the furniture? Boy, there's a fickle market, now KROGER,,( sound of screeching tires) you're kidding, right? I mean, you can't think for a second there's any better job than the 2nd biggest grocer in the country( Walmart #1) I don't mean to be a wizeaxx, it's just, drivers USED wait YEARS to get into a Kroger job. Kroger is planning on buying Albertsons( Safeway) for a whopping $24 BILLION, and it will probably go. Upon the completion of this post, I ORDER you to get that Kroger job,,NOW!! Let us know what happens.
     
    ducnut, Dennixx, Numb and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    A lot of Kroger trailers are being hauled by 3rd party companies around here.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    That's true. An England truck was pulling a Safeway trailer( and took the front of a van off, btw) and not sure about that. I have friends at Safeway, and when I told them that, they weren't too happy.
     
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  7. 2Tap

    2Tap Medium Load Member

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    Jul 19, 2022
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    The UFCW, the union representing Kroger workers is typically a spineless token union with no real teeth.

    I honestly think that Kroger would pay a little better than the prevailing wage for your position in your area without the UFCW taking several hours of pay per month out of your pockets.

    BTW, I'm VERY pro-union, just anti-worthless union and the UFCW certainly isn't the UAW or Teamsters.

    Good luck new driver. I did the exact same thing you did although my company sponsored training cost was significantly less than yours. Maths are important, lol! Always run those numbers, it's just business!
     
  8. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I'll add a couple of things here:

    Make sure the Kroger offer is legit. Could have been a random recruiting call. Kroger may have hired a recruiting firm or something to pull random CDL holders to fish out. Dont quit your current job to chase a something that doesn't exist for you (a new driver with basically no experience).

    As some have mentioned, Kroger is mostly hauled by 3rd party companies. First Fleet has a good chunk of the Kroger accounts.
     
  9. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    Kroger drivers in my part of the country are represented by the Teamsters. It may not be on the same level as UPS wages, but a driver for Kroger is still a very good job in my opinion. The OP needs to realize it is not a Monday-Friday job. He/she likely will start early mornings or late nights and work many weekends and holidays. Eventually you can have a better schedule. I say go for it.
     
  10. Alios001

    Alios001 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah at Ashley we run a lot of Fred Meyer loads out of Clackamas OR and chehalis WA.
     
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  11. Alios001

    Alios001 Bobtail Member

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    Yes, the best man at my wedding works for Kroger and said he made 97000 his first year and over 100k after that. He stays in a hotel once a week and is home the other days of the week. He wants me to get on there, and I'm leaning that direction.

    He also said they are hiring on lots of third parties to deliver and it's more expensive than having their own drivers run it.
     
    Flat Earth Trucker and ducnut Thank this.
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