Is working for food delivery really that physically demanding

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by DAX_, Nov 2, 2019.

  1. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    It's not all bad, if you can handle the workout, you basically go to the same places and meet some cool people too. And with perks sometimes. I delivered ( or picked up, I forget) regularly to Old Wisconsin Sausage in Sheboygan, Wis. They were cool folks, one day, the guy says, "you like beef sticks"? Do I, I said and he gave me a big bag of "ends and cutoffs" that they couldn't sell. I was so sick of beef sticks, and there were many other stories too. Some of the grocery stores were a hoot as well.
     
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  3. Roguefox

    Roguefox Light Load Member

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    You're talking about grocery stores and distributors, most food delivery is to restaurants. Huge difference. Sometimes my load wasnt even on pallets, just sitting on the floor. And this wasnt some tiny outfit, it was Ben E. Keith.

    And on my route I had like 60 different places, you dont go to the same ones everyday. Way better options out there to make the same or even better money.
     
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  4. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Try McLane if you're in the DFW area. That's the headquarters, and they have multiple DCs, that run different concepts. Some will be more work, and usually pay better, than others.

    Try going on a ride a long, see if it's something you like. We do that around here as part of the interview process.

    Your body acclimates to the work. Yeah it's harder than other jobs but you get used to it.
     
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  5. DAX_

    DAX_ Medium Load Member

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    Thank you. What is the difference between them and the other two?
     
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  6. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Ultimately, you might see as much difference between different centers as between different companies, but around here at least, McLane pays the best.

    I work for a center that does everything off of a ramp. We mostly do side ramps but sometimes do rear ramps. Everything is palletized, everything is hand stacked onto the dollies and run into the stores.

    A nearby center does a different set of concepts, and they use liftgates and electric pallet jacks. Dollies are used to move the product into the stores, most of the product can be scooped off of the pallets with the dolly, you don't fingerprint every single case.

    My center also runs a concept that uses liftgates for dedicated routes. I've never run those, but they aren't loaded to be scooped, so you use the liftgate and pallet jack to get the pallet to the back door and downstack it there and wheel it in. Saves time over the ramp if you can't get close to the door.

    I've seen Sysco trucks with liftgates and ramps, different stores get loaded differently.

    Honestly I'd say your best bet is to just get the ride a longs and see what floats your boat.
     
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  7. truckermkh

    truckermkh Bobtail Member

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    I start with Gordon Food Service tomorrow. I forget what city, maybe Dallas, but i see did a job posting on their website with a $7500 hire on bonus in TX. From everything ive read and the people ive talked to, food service is physically demanding, but sitting in a truck all day staring at a window is just as bad on your body in the long run in different ways. Ive gotten tired of all the sitting and ive never been more out of shape than i am now so i decided to give food service a try. I think it also depends on what company. I stayed away from sysco because everyone says theyre slave drivers and do 12-14 hour days everyday. GFS seems like a happier place and ive heard better things and was told by the manager that id average 50 hours a week which im happy with. So time will tell and Ill know soon enough if its really all that bad, but i think it comes down to what company you choose and your area.
     
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  8. DAX_

    DAX_ Medium Load Member

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    Very good point. Dry van OTR might not be tiring but the lifestyle is very bad for your body and health.
     
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  9. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Yes it is. I can't say I'll never do otr again, or linehaul, but it would take a lot to get me to do it.
     
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  10. Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    PLEASE, DON'T DO IT; YOU'RE STILL A YOUNG MAN.....

    1) i don't give a plop where you live--the job sucks anywhere.

    2) Please don't.

    3) Yes, exercise is good. i even admit that my FIRST stop of the day was exhilarating. BUT NOT ALL DAY. Too much strenuous exercise can be bad.

    4) Uh, yeah. Food service is likely the most difficult job period irregardless of trucking or not. i have identified a few other jobs that might be more difficulter than food service in another thread: Examples: Underwater welding, electrical linesman (from helicopter). New cop working the night shift and having to pull people over for traffic violations (who may very well have bad intentions).

    It IS NOT laid back; Before anyone accuses me of "racism," i would like to point out that many immigrants who you are going to have to deal with are white. Anyways, a lot of these new americans don't like to do things in, let's say, an efficient manner---which is going to make things harder for you.

    Now for a lot of native-born store owners---a lot of them are A-HOLES.

    So, now not only is the job itself physically too hard, you also have to deal with a lot of mentally less-stable folks. i don't know what is worse.......

    5) NO; Let me give you an example: Last thursday i had an inside delivery. It was about 30-40 boxes but the total weight was like 750. So each box was maybe 10-15 pounds. Plus, the guy gave me bottled water. And that was it. No inside deliveries friday. i don't remember how many other inside deliveries i had the whole week, but it must not have been very many if i can't remember. All others were dock stops.

    i would say LTL city (or linehaul) is much better than food if you want to be local and net $1000. Look at my diary thread for strict proof of this. Also, while you might not be getting as much "excercise" with LTL city, you are not sitting all day----you are in and out of the truck constantly. Especially if you are extra-board, you will probably be doing a lot of walking to find out where the docks are.

    PLEASE, DON'T DO IT.
     
  11. DAX_

    DAX_ Medium Load Member

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    Are there any ltl Companies you recommend
     
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