Reefer driving for rookies?

Would you folks say running reefer is ideal for rookies? I drive tankers but I'm just curious. Do reefer drivers deliver/pickup at large warehouses and distribution centers for the most part? I would think this would give a new driver ample room for backing. Besides lumpers and long wait times what other challenges do you face? Would running a reefer and dropping/picking up loads be easier for a new driver than say flatbed or dry van?

 

Ha no reefer you usually deliverand pick up from tight docks

 

Hmm interesting I would think places like Tyson and dole for the most part but I wouldn't know.

 

Serious lack of ample room for backing, frequently unrealistic delivery times, taking forever to get loaded and unloaded, poorly stacked and broken pallets that tip on a normal curve, dealing with the 'sure you're load is ready . . . you get there and the stuff hasn't even arrived yet' game . . . those are just some of the ones I can think of off the top of my head from my hubby's long list of 'you've got to be kidding me' as a reefer runner!

Honestly, it's trucking just like any other trucking. Nothing is really going to be easier than something else. You can end up with some pretty interesting loads, that's for certain . . . floor loaded plants is always a good one!

 

Oh, forgot about the 'rejected loads' in reefer . . . then you get to sit around and wait while dispatch finds someplace else for you to take that stuff!

 

When I ran reefer I wound up in NJ a lot, hated it!

 

The box has a slight tear in it from a forklift poking it?! Refuse! Refuse! Refuse! Then waiting 2+ hours for dispatch to tell you to do whatever you want with it, because it's only one box. Not worth the fuel to even bring it elsewhere.

 

I would tend to think that hauling live reefer would be an extremely chancy endeavor and could land you in the Hoosegow for quite some time!

 

###### driver!!!!! Walked myself into that one didn't I??

 

Yep, and that could cause "reefer Madness"