Walmart here I come!

Debra, I can understand Brian still being on good terms with his former employer and considering doing work on the side. I am still good friends with my former boss from UPS Freight to this date. Time to move on and enjoy a new adventure. Once Brian gets more acclimated to the new job he likely will only look forward to coming back to work at Walmart each week, not living in the past working for a job he quit. It is good Brian will have 2 weeks with a mentor. I had 3 days with one and was cut loose, however computers and DOT regulations are very much a part of my mindset, so the transition was easy. Brian's work performance will not even be judged in the first 90 days, so tell him to relax and enjoy!

 

I recall when I did my orientation I had to full out a log that I signed and certified I was off for the prior seven days. I'm not sure how they are doing the logs for them now because it's all electronic. It could be why they want him off the week prior, so he had a full 70 and he can be fresh on paper. He will be logging the on duty time during orientation, if I'm not mistaken.

 

OK, Tom and middleoftheroad -- will do. I understand what you are both saying, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you both taking the time and effort to convey all of this to me.

We just got our tax refund, so being off from work for a week won't be as big an issue as it normally would be.

I will relate all of this conversation to Brian when I talk to him tomorrow. Thank you both SO MUCH !!! ((( HUGzzz )))

 

He will have a lot to read over from orientation and while with his mentor. I would suggest using the extra time to study and be prepared to go solo the following week. Besides, a few extra days off will help too after having so much new information crammed into his skull!

 

Tell him to just relax and sponge up all the information he can. Take notes. Ask questions, get answers. He'll be happy once he's on his own. Soon you won't even feel missing the week off.

 

As cold as it has been up there lately, Brian may need to spend some extra time in front of the fireplace to thaw out! Between the Walmart information overload and below zero weather! That cold weather keeps dipping down into the South here too!

 

Just to let you know, Rick had 2 weeks of mentoring. That is what they did in Buckeye when he was hired. If he still does not feel comfortable after the 2 weeks, he can do it for longer also. It is all about making the driver comfortable.

However, Brian will come up with his own rhythm of doing things when he is on his own.

I'm glad he is enjoying himself. It will only get better.

 

Well, he's not a big note-taker, but has an insane memory (jock who never did well with book larnin' -- turned down a basketball scholarship to Georgia Tech because he would have to go to SCHOOL !!!) And he's very, very good at paying close attention -- he doesn't miss much. I don't think he realizes how much orientation and mentored time is going to take out of him, but he is very excited and wants this very badly. I have never known him to NOT get what he goes after when he sets his heart on something, and I'm sure that he'll take all of this in stride, as well.

WallyWife, that's what I told him about developing his own rhythm -- that's what everyone here has told me all along. He was a little nervous about not being SuperTrucker right from the get-go with Walmart, because that's what he thought they were looking for. However, he's getting the idea that it just isn't like that here.

Everyone -- when I talked to him this evening, he was telling me all about many of the benefits that we had no idea he would be receiving. He was so excited -- he sounded just like a little kid -- he was downright awe-stricken!

And thank you all so very much again, Tom, middleoftheroad and Dear WallyWife!!! ((( HUGzzz )))

 

Brian should have a very thick Driver Onboarding binder as well as a lot of other documentation from orientation. Look over it repeatedly, hang on to it and refer back to it in the future if needed. Sometimes things in those books do not sink in until later after a routine is established and you look them over again. No need to be a Super trucker here. Walmart is not about cutting corners on safety. That is why their safety rating and CSA score is near the top in every category. Like I said when Brian first began the process of applying to Walmart, it will require him to reprogram his overall mindset as this is not a job you can compare to very many places.

 

You are very welcome "new" Wallywife. LOL

Nobody is Supertrucker when they start out. Nor does WM want you to be. They care all about being safe and learning the job. Do the job, develop your rhythm, and the money will come.

Like we have all said, it really is all hard to believe, until you are here. And believe me, he is just seeing the tip of the iceberg.