Dollar General or Family Dollar?

Just today I tried to spot for a newbie that is driving for covenant. He made the mistake of pulling in to attempt a T turn around. Tried to spot for him and he ignored my help. Guess some drivers just dont want to be helped.

The simple way in would have been to wait for the traffic to have cleared and backed in.

Get some miles driven on less complicated locations. Then go with Dollar general if you still want. Yet I see your a one poster so we probably wont get heard.

 

That's like asking "would you like the sharp stick in the left eye or right?"
Just say no.

 

Best post in my opinion.

Dont forget to look up like you said. I always see damage on those lower hanging roof covers from other trailers.

A rookie driver thats determined to succeed should be alright.

When I started picking up blood from donation centers, often located in the same areas of those dollar stores, id pull over to the side, get out and walk the area. Ask management how trucks normally enter, often times they know and they will also tell you other ways drivers tried and failed.

If its an especially challenging location, I bet management can tell exactly which way works. That has been the case with my pick ups.

Just walking the area helps a lot. It can spare you going the wrong way or doing the wrong thing. Google satellite can be essential also to ensure you approach the right way and not miss your turn using landmarks (best turn looks like it will be right after the McDonald's). Then from there you can walk the area if still not sure.

 

Well I'll tell you this, is be very careful, Grasshopper...... May sure to get out and look, when you even think you don't know where you are i relation to things around you, get out and look. When you first arrive at the store, get out a legal pad, survey they area, find all the low things you can hit with the top end of your truck or trailer, draw little pictures of the lay out making notes on all the obstacles, on your paper, noting, flower beds curbs, sprinklers, signs, posts, homeless sleeping in your way, roof overhangs, take pictures of all these obstacles before you back in noting pre existing damage, the reason you use a camera as well as your note pad the camera time stamps the picture and location. Try to arrive late at night to back in while everyone else is sleeping, very little traffic. And by the way do not hurry in, if you hit something it will take alot longer than being careful.
Good Luck with that.

 

Well they do get deliveries, so it's obviously possible. The question though, is would you recommend one of these routes for a new driver fresh out of school?

 

It was used to describe where you unload to the store. Doesn't have to be an actual dock. Rather obvious!

Even now. I'd only try to do one of these if I have a spotter I can trust. Even then, it's a pain with traffic and all. I've looked at them. I bow to those who do them.

I worked out of Commerce City, Co. for a while. There is a Werner training facility there. There is also the biggest Dollar store there with a huge parking lot. It was actually converted from an old grocery store. I always laughed and imagined Werner taking newbies over there. Telling them: See how easy it is! .... Doh!

 

You are volunteering for the best option to get run out of trucking QUICK. ANY dollar type store has very limited parking lots. You are likely not very good at backing. WHEN you hit a parked car, light pole, store etc you will get in some trouble with your company (I'm guessing it's Werner). After you have hit a couple of things you are likely to be let go by your current company. Your options after getting fired before you get any experience is somewhat limited.

EVERY dollar store type account with EVERY trucking company is chronically short of drivers. That's why they have openings for new drivers. Experienced drivers DO NOT generally work on those accounts. It pays slightly more than general Over The Road, but it has a ton more hassles for the driver and the personnel at the stores are among the worst customers ever.

Dollar type stores are the worst option for new drivers. It's like taking a Private fresh out of basic training and sending them to Fallujah Iraq while the veteran soldiers are stationed at Presidio golf course near San Francisco.

 

I've never seen a DG store built with a dock and they are building tons everywhere. Like you suggest I think any DG with a dock was once something else.

 

I wouldnt recommend the Dollar stuff to some guy that isnt sure what he wants to do and just wants to get started. This guy asked for Dollar info. What everyone is cautioning him about isnt wrong. But its doable completely.

When I upgraded I went straight into what I am still doing. Similar situations a Dollar guy would find himself in. I havent hit anything that I know of. Theres nothing special about me. My backing is kinda iffy still.

I dont know what the Dollar guys earn. Maybe he likes the idea of doing some work to break up the driving a bit. Dollar stuff might be good for the right person.

I know that a lot of drivers hit stuff and get fired. It happens same thing where I am at. But IF he can do it, its good money and good experience for a new driver. My first year I pulled in 80k about to do similar work. Not Dollar work, but I drive in the same areas and often park next to Werner Dollar trucks.