The Walmart skinny

That’s because they get fed at the DCs all the time. The DC experience is lots different on that side than the guy sitting dropped and disconnected waiting for his wagon to get unloaded.

 

That’s what she said.

 

Day 3. It would appear this day was our final day for assessment of our ability to do it "the Walmart way". Out of the 64 I was able to deduce that only about 6 are being held back for further learning of "the Walmart way". Lunch was Popeye's Chicken. Classroom training was more safety/hr policy learning for accident reporting and fatigue education if you will. I respect the fact they don't humiliate, embarrass, discourage the "questionable" drivers. They don't go around saying, "well, so and so failed this or that." They respectfully keep that on a one on one basis. I am a natural observer (from my bodyguard days), and was able to read the faces of the private conversations. So again thumbs up to Walmart for being professional. Tomorrow is probably most of ours' last day and I do recall something said about more hr/safety policy education. I do believe before I leave the area I will stop by the "Walmart Museum" for a proper history lesson as I am hearing Mr. Sam was indeed a proper man. They don't make em like him anymore. That last thought naturally lead to another.... The amount of staff we have already met measures a few dozen. They all seem, well... Like proper people. They joke, but do business and do it right. They don't come at you with some hidden agenda, either for the company nor themselves. They are from various parts of the country. Talking with you folks here on the forum, again seem respectful and proper people. The fellow new hires in my class, same with them.... What is going on that Walmart is getting all the good people (yes I know everywhere will be a few sour puss's). Thru my entire life I have had to watch for that hidden agenda from others, not just my trucking era. I always come across a couple proper folk with any company... But never so many introductions of new proper people consecutively, if that makes sense? I don't recall taking a personality test (if the idea that Walmart were only hiring certain personalities). My driving history does not indicate my personality. Again everyone came from different companies from different locations, and to see the energy merge in such a way. It is something I have never seen (on such a large group of people). It's more or less literally a family without the bickering. Are they spiking the food with some sort of respect potion? They have the money for the proper research... Do they have "spies" that observe each person for a time during the application process (before they are even called)? We differently have separate interests, opinions.. The only thing that comes to mind is we just have not been around each other long enough for the natural dislike energy to grow, LOL. But per numerous conversations with the staff as well as your guys' replies, far more than majority are genuinely proper people, if that makes sense.... I know I'm just blabbing, but curious if anyone else noticed the proper energy is exclusive to Walmart truckers. (I hear stores and warehouse side of things are the normal hateful, hidden agenda energy types... But I hold that judgement until I personally experience it). Until tomorrow. Drive safe and see you all on the road (I was 1 of the few on day one that passed all assessments to Walmart's satisfaction if you read back a few of my posts on this thread, you will see that day 1 was a total failure except for literally a handful out of 64 drivers..)

 

About the pretrip, did you have to do an air brake test?

 

Have to explain it word for word.... Example of passable explanation: First you must be hooked up to trailer. Brakes released/pushed in, air filled up completely until it sneezes. Put the truck in gear and then turn it off, but put the key back to on position.. now you hold the brakes for 60 seconds. You should not lose more than 4 psi at the end of 60 seconds... Assuming that passed, keep pumping the brakes to confirm both the gauge light and audible warning sound turns on at the proper 60 psi indicator. Then continue pumping to make sure the brakes set/pop out.
As long as you explain it step by step, your good to go... Now they do also explain it to you in that manner as that is part of the Walmart Way. But you are timed through the entire pretrip and yes you have plenty of time, but don't get distracted and start talking about something else. Again it is trucking 101. A DOT officer can shut you down and give you a ticket if you cannot complete a proper pretrip including a brake test. There are plenty of YouTube videos on proper pretrip, I'd brush up on it if you feel grey about it... I use to be an instructor so I had no issues at all... Again on Day 1 of my class... They didn't say it to the class, but they were very disappointed that by the end of the day of Day 1 they would only have hired 8 out of 64 people if they absolutely needed to... As my previous post, only about a handful are still being held back or sent home, I counted over 50 today that are confirmed hired. So as long as you don't goof off and you are willing to focus on their way (which to me personally is standard trucking 101), you will be fine.

 

i was referring to walmart customers lol

 

Day 4 (final day)... Lunch was pizza hut. Half day we all generally went back to the hotel after lunch and a few welcome speeches and goodbye speeches... Morning was more safety and HR education, nothing out of the ordinary. I don't know exact numbers, out of the 64 recruits, little over 50 were officially hired. Various typical reasons the rest weren't, backed into a trailer, failed pretrip, bad background, etc...(again they did not say anything to anyone, I just have unbelievable hearing. Some of the recruits asked where so and so was and they just replied back at the hotel or still learning. So again, bravo to the respect of the staff.
Now they did, in my opinion, go a bit overboard with the emphasis of "your in the major leagues" type of talk. Despite that concept is true, I think we could have gone back to the hotel an hour earlier. I understand they are drilling in the idea that you are branded now, people will record you just because of that brand, hoping something goes wrong, and that you need to more vigilant than ever. Overall I was very impressed with each of the staff's integrity and professionalism, and their abilities. There were a handful of rodeo champions, and a couple 3 million mile accident free drivers, and a huge amount of 1 million plus drivers... From talking with the staff 1 on 1, and with you guys here, I believe this will be my retirement company. Every other company has emphasized their "major leagues" and later failed to uphold that image. I can already see that image being very true and accurate of Walmart. Now I move on to my DC to join the team that clothe and feed my family, (so technically I'm finally able to get some of my money back that I've spent thru my entire life LOL).

 

yes yes good ole qt ice cream. just $.49

 

I remember from before when I went through the interview at Monroe, once I passed the pretrip and driving sections I was sent for my physical. I clearly remember the guy from HR saying “bring me back a 2 year card”. What I’m concerned about is that I am on blood pressure medication now, and I know that precludes me from a 2 year card, the max I can get is a one year card. Is that going to be an issue? At OD (where I am currently) the only stipulation is that I pay for my physical every other year since I’m not eligible for a two year card.

 

no. just go with the flow. if you have questions about it. call the safety manger at what dc you will be out of.