Walmart here I come!

Was just informed I am no longer an 'extra' board driver, and unbeknownst to me I haven't been since my third week! No big deal, but mentally, it would have been nice to know LOL. Well it certainly is nice to know. It made no difference in the first place as there is more work than we can handle with just the drivers we have, so I never noticed any of the waiting around that I was told I might experience (by other drivers and people on the internet that I came across while doing my initial research on Walmart, they told me in the interview that I would not be waiting for work and that is how it has been, haven't had to wait 5 minutes for a load. Just wanted to share this so anyone who is considering Walmart but is worried about being an 'extra' driver, don't worry about it, its just a term they have for the newest guy from what I can tell. If you meet the requirements and are thinking about it, I would strongly suggest to at least apply and go through the process as far as you can get, you can always say no in the end. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

 

Good to know Jim thank you was just wondering where you been. Be safe

 

At Walmart the term extra board means your a driver without a bid or a program,its not a description of the amount of work available. Most DC's have some sort of part time programs available (7/7,4/4) but its usually a high seniority gig. Also top drivers can and do make their own schedules but were talking 25-30 year guys.

People tend to confuse and mix up the terms extra board and casual. For example at union shops you start as a casual then once you have your hours you go on the extra board where you may or may not work a full week. When it gets slow your subject to layoff and this can last for years.

Walmart has a policy of only hiring drivers they plan on using full time. In my first year before I was on my 6/3 I was sent home a day early one time. The rule is all bid and program drivers work before extra board guys,so if your worried and a 6/3 opens up jump on it. Right now the fleet has plenty of work so if you ever wanted to make a change nows a great time.

 

Are you guys pulling double 45's when the weather allows? Do you have the same snowbunny flatlander chain up policy as the other DC's? I bet those Cheyenne remix loads are a godsend in the winter,I bet you guys love pulling those empty candy bar wagons in the winter!

 

You shorted them 3 feet each trailer. They're 48' of joy LOL. But it's the highest seniority guys who get those anyway, and they can have them on the ice.

 

We need a clarification from Loveland because the guys coming out of Hurricane are coming over with 45's. There are so many different combinations and each state that allows them seems to use what works best for their region.

 

At Kroger we had 34 and 31,34 and 27,31 and 31,31 and 27,27 and 27 and several different triple trailer combinations (Dry and refer) along with two and three axle dry and refer candy bars. We were legal to 104,500 on most sets and up to 88,500 on the three axles so when it came time to figure out your bridge weights it took some time. The hostlers along with safety printed out a neat little mini novel complete with WA,OR,ID, MT and UT state bridge requirements along with diagrams of almost every combination we could put on the road complete with all axle weights by bridge law.

 

We do not pull doubles of any kind out of Loveland. We were running 45's to the rifle, co drop yard and then a hurricane driver would pull double 45's back with him. It was claims going to vegas but now they shut that down and are running them to Ottawa, ks

 

Safety always comes first regarding the chain policy. Everyone has to make their own decision. You are the captain of your ship. .... however there are times in the mountains that you will be sitting a very very long time if you are not willing to throw iron. Lol...... like days