Walmart here I come!

Anytime. I enjoyed the conversation.

 

Where are orientations held?
Did WM ever end up putting cameras in the trucks?
Do they still allow riders?

Most importantly: Do I ask too many questions???

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Held at DC. No cameras at this time. Riders must be spouse, grandchildren or children of school age with signed consent forms on file.

You're asking questions, that's fine. I think you're worrying about way too much though.

 

Thank you, middleoftheroad -- Yes, I guess I am a bit of a worry-wart, now that you mention it!!! He doesn't worry at all, so I have to do all of it

 

There's nothing to worry about.honest

 

Hah !!! You sound just like Brian!!! Thank you very much, though

Well, what about the DCs -- what are they like? Do they all have showers and can he overnight in the truck at any of them? Are there cafeterias or other food available at these locations?

What about the stores -- I understand that they have a drivers room. What are most of their facilities like? TomOfTx told me that he buys much of his food from them rather than eating at truck stops.

 

There are 3 types of Walmart DC's that most Walmart drivers pick up and deliver to, in addition to Sam's Club DC's. GM (General merchandise), Grocery, and Imports. The DC in Raymond, NH is GM. All the GM DC's have showers (plenty of fresh towels provided too), fuel, truck wash, and a full service truck and trailer shop. Most of the Grocery DC's I have been to have showers, though on a smaller scale than at the GM DC's. I do not know if every DC has a cafeteria as I have not been to most DC's outside of Texas and the surrounding states. The DC I am based out of has a full service cafeteria. Free coffee & bottled water are available. Vending machines likely vary by location. They also have frequent cookouts for drivers as well. You can rest and sleep overnight at the DC's. The same is true for most Walmart and Sam's Club stores, though some towns have different ordinances that prevent us from parking there overnight. The Dallas area around here is a place with a long list of stores that prohibit parking overnight. The tractors have APU's and power inverters, so a driver can stay comfortable without the truck needing to idle.

Every store has an employee break room. I have never used it. Unless I was taking my mandatory 30 minute or 10 hour break while parked at a store, I would usually leave as soon as I deliver my load there. You can park at any of the stores. If any restrictions exist for certain stores, your DC or the DC serving that store can let you know. When I am off duty I will often buy needed supplies in the store.

 

Thanks so much, Tom and Matt -- you guys are making me feel better and better about all of this

When he was out with Smith, I spend the entire 2 days of his home time preparing food and stuffing his little fridge with it. That saved us tons of $$$ -- as well as his colon

Thank you guys soooooooooooo much!!! ((( HUGzzz )))

 

Hey, Matt --

Do you have a microwave? (I still have the one I bought for Brian last year stored out in the shed.) What kind of meals does your wife prepare for you, and how do you pack them for the week?

Sounds like I won't really need to worry about sending a coffeepot with him since so much free coffee will be available to him at the stores and the DCs