Walmart here I come!

Not to worry. The one on one time he will have with a mentor will help get him acclimated to the system. The learning curve varies from person to person. Having some time using a qualcomm will help him, though the system we use is a bit more advanced. The elogs are nice because I was one who never liked filling out those darn paper logs! The navigation on the truck (NaviGo) will not only route you to the store, DC, or vendor, but to the exact driveway you would need to turn in, so that will take any stress off of him trying to know how to get to so many different places every day. The job itself is not hard because the system in place is very efficient and well designed by Walmart.

 

He doesn't mind the paper logs -- I guess because he's done them so long that they are just second nature to him. The mentor riding with him will help tremendously. Smith turned him loose after 4 days of orientation -- no riding mentor -- and it was like he didn't know what to do with himself! He was a frazzled wreck, near hysteria all the time trying to keep up an insane pace! I have NEVER seen the man like that -- it actually frightened me. MY Brian is cool and calm at all times, never ever tipping over the edge. This was a Brian that I did not know and I was not a happy camper.

I know that Smith had some kind of GPS but Brian would often call me to Google a location to help him determine how to get in and out of places. I noticed reading earlier in this thread that you can get the skyview with the GPS in these trucks, so maybe I won't have to do that for him anymore (not that I minded)!

But if they can just convince him that they aren't gonna eat him if he takes his time to *LEARN* this job, he will do a much better job for them.

 

Normally a new driver may spend 3-5 days with a mentor, but more time can be added if more help is needed. Plus, he will be able to tap into numerous other current Walmart drivers he will meet while in orientation and along the way who are happy to provide him with their cell phone number if he needs a question answered, as well as Walmart drivers he will see at the DC's, vendors, and even some stores. Walmart will not throw him out there and expect him to wing it like so many carriers do. They spend a lot of time and money hiring the best drivers they can find and do invest a lot in training of their drivers. The environment is generally a total opposite of what he has probably seen in his career, so it will take an adjustment period to reprogram his mind to how things operate here compared to elsewhere. It really is a wonderful thing compared to other places when you put it in contrast.

 

Yes, it certainly sounds like it! And yes, again -- "deprogramming" will probably be key for him. It's great to know that there will be others ready and willing to answer questions for him and to help him make the adjustment. Yep, throwing him out there to the wolves is pretty much what he experienced with Smith, and it was really very hard on him.

But he is so much a trooper -- he's been dropping comments here and there over the past few weeks (since his company announced that they are selling out), and then became much more insistent in the past week or so about this. Then he started really to the point of begging me to look into Walmart for him, which brings us to why I am here. (I am the R&D Department in these here parts.)

I want to thank you so very, very much for all of your help and expertise. You have been so patient with me -- and so extremely kind. I feel like you're MY mentor

 

You are most welcome. There are many Walmart drivers on here at almost any given time, so someone will be happy to answer any questions you may have. The member "WallyWife" on here is someone who can be a big help to you. Her husband drives for Walmart and she is quite knowledgable of the Walmart operation for someone who does not even work here as a driver. I think you two would have a lot in common as both your husbands have similar backgrounds prior to coming to Walmart. Reach out to her if she hasn't already spoke to you via PM.

 

Ohhhh, thanks for that, Tom!!!

Nope, have not heard from Mrs. WallyWife as of yet. I'm glad that you came across with that because my next question may be more up her alley. Although I do need to know how all you guys managed this issue: Feed.

I get it that he will be slip seating and he is fine with that. I'm guessing, however, that because it's a temporary arrangement shared by two different drivers, there probably isn't a fridge or microwave in the truck, much less room for storing dry or canned food goods.

How in the world can you afford to feed yourselves for a week on the road?

With Smith (he had his own truck), I got him a fridge and a microwave. I stocked his pantry with emergency rations of canned foods, bread, condiments, etc. When he came home for the weekend, I spent two days solid cooking and preparing meals that he could either heat in the microwave or eat as sandwiches. I packed that little fridge with milk, salads, meatloaf, chicken breast and the like. So the entire time that he was home, I was in the kitchen and I gotta tell you that it got old in a real hurry!!! (I quickly learned to hate it, I'm afraid.)

So I'm wondering how all you guys handle this ...

 

I do not need to carry a lot of excess food with me because I could buy most anything I need to eat inside a Walmart store. Even when I was slip seating I still took a small refrigerator/freezer with me to store some perishable food. In my case, I always liked having some fresh milk or cream for my favorite drink.... coffee.

 

LOL, yes he does love his milk at every meal -- no substitute for that for him (and it's pricey if you're getting it from convenience stores on the fly). He takes his coffee black, often throughout the day, and I had a travel coffee pot for him then. (Wonder where it is now?) I just need to keep him out of greasy truck stops and make sure he gets lots of fiber. I'm trying to keep from buying any more in the way of food out there as possible. I can conceive where buying your meals (even from Walmart) can quickly add up to $15-20 per day, maybe more.

So I'll have to get him another fridge, right? The one he had was borrowed and did not have a freezer, though I don't think he needs more than a simple fridge. I'll be looking to you guys for your input on that, too, but please don't feel obligated to address it tonight/this morning -- isn't it past your bedtime yet, LOL?

 

Could always use a small-medium size Igloo cooler and fill with ice. Every DC has ice in the driver break room, and can purchase at any Walmart store. Give it some time and see if an electric refrigerator will be needed. Cost of food at Walmart is far cheaper than any other place you could park a truck at. I probably spend $75-100 a week for food, which includes coffee I drink if I do not fill my cup up at a DC. Considering the income working here and the fact I can write off more than $50 a day on my taxes for all the days I was away from home, it is not a big expense at all. I could spend less if I was eating mostly fast food or packaged foods, but I prefer to buy a lot of fresh foods such as fruits and veggies. Much better than in years past when I had to buy a lot of my meals at a truck stop when I was on the road.

Yes, it is quite late. Will pick this conversation up later. Good night.

 

Nite, Tom !!! AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING !!!