FritoLay

So, I started with FritoLay a little over a month ago and absolutely love it so far. I've worked for A LOT of different companies in A LOT of different areas of trucking and think I found my forever home. To start with, FritoLay is part of PepsiCo, so the benefits are top notch. I chose the best of everything and the optional life insurances, LTD, STD, all that stuff and my cost is $42 a week, yes, we get paid weekly which is nice. A quick fact I learned about Frito is they are the largest privately owned truck fleet in the US, of those companies who make their own products. Bigger than Walmart, Target, Costco...I thought that was kinda cool. Anyway, the job. From what I've learned, all drivers are home daily, some longer runs require layovers, which they pay for a hotel and give per diem. We all actually get a hourly food per diem, which doesn't amount to squat, but they give us one. There are a few different types of runs you can do, all based on seniority bidding. Drop and hooks, manual hand carted unloads and manual wheeled carts unloads. The manual wheeled carts is what I do, thank the Lord haha. They are basically four wheeled cages that have the product stacked on them and get wheeled off the trailer and then load the empties back on the trailer and head back to the DC. This is all I have done, so it's all I can speak of, but it's simple. It's a good cardio workout for sure, but it's easy. My first trailer tonight took 51 minutes and my second took an hour and 8 minutes, so you get the picture. Now, the guys who do the manual hand cart unloads, I would never do, purely because I'm lazy haha. I've heard they can get them done in 2.5 - 3.5 hours. I couldn't imagine opening a trailer door and seeing nothing but boxes stacked to the ceiling and know I have to take each stack, one by one and unload them. Moving on...the pay is pretty good, at least in my area, which is the Northeast. My target pay first year was estimated at $110K. Last week I gross right at $2,100. Some of the guys who trained me out of New York made between $130-$140K last year, which is crazy. It all depends on what kind of loads you get, what's available to bid on and so forth. The drop and hooks pay less, the hand carted loads pay more and what I do is somewhere in the middle. So, I guess I'm saying if you are looking for something new, I'd highly recommend working for Frito. Also, if you happen to be in Southern Maine, or that area, or thinking of moving to that area, there is a new DC in Saco, Maine where they do the types of easy unloads like I do and they are desperate for drivers. Last I heard they have only been able to hire 3 so far haha. $7,500 sign on bonus as well. Check it out.
driveforfritolay.com

 

Do you still live in Florida?
Did you move to the Northeast?

 

Hey, Chinatown!!! I did move out of Florida for this position. It was a gamble I'm used to, but looks like it might be a keeper!

 

Good on you for getting away from Florida, lifelong resident here and it’s getting unbearable to remain here. I moved up to Ocala about 7 years ago for peace and quiet, simply put, that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a shame to see what has come of this state in the last 3 years, never thought the day would come where I’d say I’m ready to get out, but here it is, I’m ready!

 

Las Vegas/Reno is an excellent option. No state income taxes, no food taxes at the grocery stores, low property taxes.
I lived in Florida for years and love the state, but Nevada is the best option over Florida.

 

Sounds like you found a winner!

 

They have a pretty big operation in Orlando in case you can transfer and you want to.

 

So I'm guessing they don't hire down in Florida huh?

 

Yes, Frito does have a big operation in Florida. Pay won't be what @haystack is making in the Northeast, but it's still good. Haystack is an experienced driver, so that's in his favor as far as pay goes.

 

Cool, thanks! I might look into them when I decided to leave where I'm at.