2019 Analysis of Tyson Foods

Well after a little over 3 years with the company, it was time to find something better.

I worked the Northeast Region, PA drivers as they are called. There are 2 fleets run by 2 FMs, one is more northern (above VA/MD), one more southern (vise versa). Both fleets are managed out of the New Holland PA plant. Both fleets generally work a 5 on, 2 off, but weekend work is always available. The office staff works normal business hours, after hours the skeleton crew from corporate (Springdale AR) takes control. There is 5 major plants the PA drivers pull from: New Holland PA, Temperanceville VA, Glen Allen VA, Wilkesboro NC, and Pottsville PA. Typical daily mileage for a driver is ~450 miles, average weekly mileage is ~2200. PA drivers do sometimes, about once a quarter, deliver into NYC (Bronx sometimes Queens). Drivers typically pull loaded trailers from a plant, then take to a wide range of distribution centers. Rinse and repeat.

Presently Tyson is offering PA drivers:

• $0.50/mile
  • loaded or unloaded
• $100 layover
  • If you sit for >18hrs or <200 miles within 18 hrs, w/ conditions
• $140 NYC pay
  • If load delivers into NYC
• $18/stop pay
  • Multi stop loads only
• 70% lumper fee
  • If driver self unloads
• No per diem pay
• No detention pay
• No breakdown pay
• No pets
• Passenger Policy
  • >18 y/o only and ~$20/month
• 1 wk vacation for years 1 and 2, 2 wk 3+ years
  • Vacation must be spent by 7 day increments

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My review of the company:

Overall the experience was good. My dispatcher works really hard at his job and does look out for his drivers. I was able to home garage my truck and empty trailers. ~80% of my driving experience is more evening and night driving, mostly night.

Deliveries are typically done by appointment, although Tyson does not offer detention and certain customers prioritize others those that do charge detention. Most of your deliveries, you are being planned for your next load taking a 10 hour break at the customer. So yes, you are actively being unloaded and customer interaction while taking your break.

Tyson does have outward facing cameras, not inward. Tyson has expanded their safety expectations by deeply investing into the Bendix and camera systems. They DO track speed, they DO track following distance, among others (accidents, red light or stop signs, etc). You will be disciplined if you don't watch out for "big brother".

Tyson does offer a few company perks as well as a handful paid holidays. Although some holidays are unpaid, such as this past Memorial day. When the plants shutdown for holiday, you have no work and if you at home... you get no layover (since you are AT HOME). Long haul does get a "your birthday" holiday pay, PA drivers do not.

 

They're a good starter company for you. As a PA driver, I was making a decent 65k/yr and that was without opting in for weekend work. Although you will probably be mentored being so fresh with your CDL. They have dedicated drivers that mentor and they are all pretty cool. Orientation is pretty fun too.

I left due to a few reasons, the main one being that I can do better. I now have a local hourly job nearby that gets me home everyday and weekends making the same amount.