Tyson Foods should issue drivers gas masks to enter their loaded trailers!

I drive for Prime and we haul a ton of Tyson, loaded on our trailers, and I've never had a problem with Tyson. Most of the time the yard jockeys or warehouse guys seal the trailers so we just drop an empty and pick up a loaded from Tyson. However in Glen Allen, VA I picked up a Tyson load and at that plant the guard sealed it. He asked me if I wanted to put load locks in before he sealed it and I said yes. Before I opened the door he told me there is CO2 gas in the trailer and when I opened the door to not breathe it in and give it a few minutes to discipate before I got in. I caught a slight whiff when I opened the door and I can see how it would knock you out if you didn't know it was in there. After about 3-4 minutes it was fine and I put my load locks in and took off. Personally I've never had a problem with Tyson and love hauling loads for them but I assure you they do put CO2 in the trailers at some or all the plants. I don't know why since I didn't ask but maybe someone on here knows why.

 

Helps keep load cooler n freash

 

Got into my truck the other day and was nearly knocked out by some sort of gas. It wasn't CO2, I believe it was BO2 or PU2. I think it was left over from the load of spicy beef and bean burritos I picked up for lunch. Could have used a load lock about two hours down the road.

 

I had that same problem at a Pilgrims Pride plant. I went to put in the Load locks and yeah that co2 dry ice stuff will hit you like a freight train if you aren't prepared for it. It took me awhile to get my senses back and even when I got in the trailer I was trying to hold my breath and it was still strong. I'm thinking it was some chickens going to the port to be shipped over seas or something. So I guess the dry Ice or whatever would make it frozen faster I don't know, but they closed that plant I believe and never had that problem at any of the other plants.

 

Must have been that old black feller we have as a guard there... He sure is full of handy information, and I'm suprised to see hes still working nights at his age every time I go in there. The CO2 is to keep loads fresh and cool. Dry ice is just frozen CO2

 

As a Prime driver, I pull Tyson at least once a week, most frequently out of Shelbyville.

Every time I go into a plant for whatever reason, I read the posters and notices on their billboards. One thing I have noticed is that they have a bunch of really good programs for their workers; home buying assistance, citizenship classes for migrant workers, higher learning assistance... Every paper that I read and every person I talk to leads me to believe that the company, though having its faults, is a quality company.

The only complaints I have are that they load slowly, have stinky chicken genocide camps, and (at least the Shelbyville plant) is union.

If I weren't satisfied with Prime, I would strongly consider going to Tyson as a driver.

 

Been with them 2 years. First time in my 17 years of driving, I've not been living hand to mouth.