Should I pursue a job with Walmart

I thought I was the only one that would have no interest in driving for Wal Mart. I currently pay (give up) in my estimates 20-30 grand annually to basically do it my way in a company truck. I am required to pick up and deliver on time fuel at Loves or TA as a secondary, and run legal. That's it, nothing more nothing less.

I've spent countless hours servicing Wal Mart and even pulled Wal Mart trailers behind a Schneider truck years ago. No matter how courteous, clean cut, and professional I presented myself, I just never liked or cared for Wal Mart DC employees. Bit my tongue until it bled on several occasions as I knew how coveted Wal Mart junk freight was for my employer, no biggie though. There were some nice ones over the years but they were in the minority. To each their own, but I do just fine working as a simple tanker yanker.

 

The human condition is to FREE and FREE SPIRITED..Not locked up like a caged animal and controlled like an Inmate in a cage..

Somehow the people over the years were indoctrinated into believing this is ''normal''..Not in my book...I LOVE MY FREEDOM,the little that is left..

 

Sounds like your at a union LTL. You got to realize your starting over on their extra board no schedule til you get seniority. Depending on where your at seniority wise if you've been their for awhile I personally wouldn't leave cause you've been through the bottom crap. If it's laid back at your current job, Walmart is likely not and most likely more safety orientated. Also home time if your home everyday you won't be at Walmart. .60 3k miles a week plus hourly pay is around 100k a year pretty much same as Walmart or little less. Walmart is a great job but so is LTL linehaul with the right company.

 

Sorry, but there is not much that I can agree with, on this post. Yes, I drive for the Private Fleet, and have been here almost a year. What Private Fleet drivers make is no "urban legand." Considering I will do over what you posted for experienced drivers, in my first year, and personally know that most are making well over what I do................... there is nothing mythical about it. You do not, and cannot work 7 days a week. An "extra" driver, for the Private Fleet is just a term for someone who is not on a program. Basically, the new guys like me. You are still a full time driver, and you do still have a schedule that you bid on 2x a year. It is a 5/2, and unless they have mandatory extended week (working your 70), you will always have your full 2+ days off every week. Today is my Monday, and I will be on the road in about an hour. Oh, and I have already taken a vacation here, in my first year. There are many ways to earn paid (ADP) days off.

They do not micro manage everything you do. As a matter of fact, short of getting your work, you will rarely deal with anyone. You are your own boss for the most part. Do you have to work safely?? Of course you do. Nobody has a bullseye on them like a Walmart truck does. If you screw up your electronic log, you fix it. If you don't have time to do a load, you let your coordinator know and it is no big deal at all. If you run out of route, barring something ridiculous, no one cares. Frankly, you have to work pretty darn hard to get fired here. Are there Negative Nancy's here............... of course there are, but they are everywhere.

There is a reason you rarely see someone quit Walmart Transportation. There is a reason why the biggest reason for leaving is retirement. It isn't because the job is unbearable. I have never been treated so well, by everyone involved, and with as much respect.

Winkjr, if you want another driver perspective, pm me.

 

Maybe if you read the post..

I was there 20+ years ago and I noted that. Back then when your planner asked "how many hours do you have?" the proper response was "how many do you need?". It was not unusual at all for us to run 5000 miles per week and back then we had to live unload at the store. We almost always ran 6 days a week and very often 7 and our little cab-over Freightliners would run 85 MPH.
It's been reduced now to store delivery guys but I see the attitude remains the same.

 

You mixed past and present as though nothing has changed, and if it has, it was for the worse. That is not necessarily the absolute truth. Yes, most of us resist change. However, it isn't all for the bad................. it just is................ different.

I didn't think I posted with attitude, but if I did, I apologize. It certainly wasn't my intent.

Is this job for everyone, no. No job is. However, it still remains one of the best trucking jobs available. There is a lot of misinformation about the Private Fleet, floating around. Off to work I go.

 

They usually will not interview huge amounts of people. For instance, my hiring pool was supposed to be for 5 drivers. They interviewed 16. So, if you get that far, your chances are pretty good.

The Private fleet will need to hire a lot of people in the coming years. They have an older drivers pool, and there will be a lot of retirements. There was another retirement for Buckeye in my latest newsletter. So, in the last month, we have lost about 7 drivers.

Congratulations on getting so far. Pretrip until they are tired of you pretripping. Do not curb a tire, and you will do great.

I'm bringing my son with me tomorrow, for the week. We thought he wouldn't be able to come with them only having one week off for fall break this year. Well, Monday is Columbus Day, so that gives us the time we need. He is so excited, and is ready already. LOL

 

Good luck! Pre-trip until you are blue in the face from talking so much. Touch everything you point out as well. Don't forget the about the permit book and inspection stickers.

Man, I can't wait for my son to be old enough to come ride with me. I hope he will love it as much as your son is going too! Wes will only be 2 this Dec. so still got time before he can ride with me.