Starting orientation with Swift 5/22 walmart dedicated

So I'm leaving my tanker hazmat job and going to Swift at the Walmart DC in Winter Haven, FL. It's right by my house and I think I'll enjoy it better than the 100 miles round trip I'm currently driving to work in Orlando. It's a bit of a paycut but I'm not happy with what I'm doing, actually quite miserable. The pay was great at my old job, but money can't buy happiness.

I saw this job advertised over the last few months when Swift first took over the DC's in FL from Greatwide, and I thought about it, I went forth with it, and backed out of orientation at the last minute due to skeptism and possible recruiter lies. But I was delivering gas at 7-11 a few days ago and saw a Swift daycab guy pull into the store to get some coffee and I spoke to him for a while. He's very happy, only 2 yrs experience and gets .32 a mile and still brings home $700 a week - home everyday. I'd be at .37 a mile, so the pay would be great.

I think I'll be a lot happier, plus Swift got a bunch of brand new trucks compared to the trucks at my current company that all have 800k miles. It sucks driving trucks with NO AC and no power steering, no radio, mirrors that shake so bad you can't see out of them, and with an interior that is literally falling apart. I have been with my company for nearly a year and they still put me in 1999 model trucks.

So I just have to get past the 3 day orientation (without pay) - oh well, can't have everything I suppose. Just hope they run me hard once I get out there.

I'll bump this thread when I'm in orientation and when I start the job and what loads I get. Tried searching this forum for other Walmart daycab drivers and haven't seen any, so I might be the first. Just have to wait until 5-22 and then I'll get started in Ocala!

 

Were you OTR or local?

 

Well I just arrived at the motel in ocala after driving 100 miles. Good thing they reimburse me for gas. Motel is decent, they have a pool and free breakfast in the morning. Gonna be a long boring day of orientation tomorrow. I'm gonna try and stay positive and get thru it so I can be on my own next week hopefully.

 

I just completed the three day orientation in Ocala, FL. I stayed at the Golden Palm Inn & Suites, pretty nice motel. The first day was a nightmare, I did a roadtest which was fine (they didn't make me double-clutch, woo!). But then they had us all go and do physicals at the nearby clinic. There was about 2 dozen of us, and we all showed up at the same time at 2 pm. We didn't leave the clinic until 9:30 pm. Orientation started at 7:30 am - you do the math. From what I gather, it was a new clinic and they couldn't handle so many drivers showing up at once, hopefully they will get things sorted out for the next orientation class. The shuttle driver said it's the latest he's ever had to work, so that would totally figure. Bad luck seems to follow me around, I think I bring it with me. The next 2 days were easy, just sitting around in class watching videos and talking. They taught us about e-logs and the new qualcomms which I already knew about from working at the big blue screw.

Now I have to wait until monday where I go in at 1:30 pm for the orientation at the walmart DC in winter haven. At least that is only for a couple hours. Since I'm experienced I'll be handed a truck and I get to start making money again!

 

Well I called the manager at the winter haven, FL DC. I start tuesday at 8 am. One day with a trainer, and then I get to go on my own. Little upset at how hard they want you to work. FL intrastate rules specify 12 hrs driving 16 hours a day 80 hours a week. I asked what my days off were, and the manager told me NONE unless I manage to burn up my 80 hrs, then I'd just get a 34 hour reset. If I have an easy week, and by easy I mean 10-12 hour days, then I would just keep working without ANY days off, unable to spend a day with my wife. I can see why the turnover is so high at this place. Guess I'll just stick w/ it for now. Maybe it won't be so bad, we'll see. Good thing I only live 10 miles from the DC.