Mclane Grocery Suneast (Kissimmee)

Well I ended up leaving this past Sunday. I have something to look forward to coming up and once its a sure thing I'll say what it is

It's a whole lot to write, but to me the constant 20-27 hour days (no breaks, no sleep) were not worth it to me. I would work 4-6 days a week and still not make the money that Mclane is known for. Every senior driver I met is considering leaving or has had their partners quit... this terminal in my opinion is feeling the effects of questionable business decisions. Adding more stops and weight but having pay stay the same is not the way to keep drivers. Fresh new hires stay throughout training and fall in love with the $ only to quit when they are thrown out on the extra board and realize "its not worth it." I unfortunately happened to finish training during the transition of the new route bid, so I have been on the extra board...where you are called to come into work at any time of the day or night as long as you have hours. Even while having dinner at a restaurant at 8PM I was told to "finish dinner, take a shower and come in now." lol rush home, get dressed, drive an hour to work just to sit for an hour and a half (for free, detention after 2 hrs) until they patch this 3 week rookie with me on the longest route I have ever been assigned. The load was a mess, product was mixed up and thrown all over the trailer, customers were not aware of our late arrivals, and one particular gas station had over 500 cases of product which took close to 4 hours to unload! Hmm, I must be in for a fat pay day right? NOPE! I kept getting assigned long and heavy routes and would tell myself it'll be worth it come pay day...but the checks weren't what I was expecting to see. No one could ever tell me how much I would be making on a load because I was the "help." They would just say "this will pay you good, its heavy and has 18 stops, with high revenue." I have war stories that'll rival those of old time drivers lol.

I had high hopes for this place, and was really excited to be a part of this great company when I got the call...but the illegally long hours, lack of sleep, having to drive a truck like a zombie and pray that I stay in my lane, and mediocre pay thanks to a chinese arithmetic formula were too much for me. Suneast has some really friendly people working there and some really frustrated dispatchers as well (can't blame them.) I don't regret my decision, I honestly feel relaxed and at ease now and can focus on my next outfit. Like one driver with 21 years at the company said "You came in at a very interesting time..." I hope this place gets turned around, as of now the driver shortage is unbearable to many, they are bringing in temps who can't even hack a half a day of our work. (My 2nd to last day was with a temp...poor guy.) I wish them the best of luck and I am really grateful to have been a part of a strong and lucrative company, and for the amazing workout plan .

 

10/4 on that.

Yeap, got some other opportunities that look promising at the moment but I did finally complete my hazmat test and now waiting on background check so I can start looking at LTL co's if things don't pan out soon. I check the local ads everyday and apply at what sounds good...sad that there are currently three different temp agency's looking for drivers for this place.

 

Thanks fellas, I have a drug test/physical today for one place and Monday have an interview for another position in the same company, will see which pays better, at the same time waiting to hear back from a few ltl places.