Domino Sugar

Domino sugar in Baltimore has improved a little bit , they rebuilt the loading docks so now you have 9" between trailers instead of 6", it's still a pain in the ##### to have to wait in that little area by the loading dock , that plant was built in the 1930's should have been condemned in the 1950's !!

 

Domino in Baltimore does not have pull thru for pneumatic loading. you can pull in or back in but not go all the way thru unless you like swimming. I drove for HR Ewell. Loaded out of there many times. Most times i picked up a loaded trailer up on the hill. They are very slow and the guards are idiots.

 

WOW!! They might as well have locked you up in a cell while you waited. I bet some drivers would have some choice words with someone about surrendering the key to their truck. Some probably flat out refuse!!

 

Having to surrender the keys always made me laugh, always kept a spare with my car keys haha

 

What's the big deal about giving up your key during loading? I do it at a few places I pick up at, and back when I was a dock monkey I required the key and the emergency line disconnected. I've seen too many drivers think they are loaded and pull forward to close their doors before coming in for their paperwork.

Guys, forklift driving is in many ways every bit as dangerous as truck driving. And it is every bit as easy to get killed through someone else's screwup. Instead of whining about giving up yer key (a useless gesture, as we all know most drivers keep a spare or two anyway), raise hell about a better waiting area!

 

I used to get loaded at a place that took your key before they would load you. Would not let you drop trailer, or run A/C or heat no matter what the weather conditions. Only option was a rickety steel chair in their dirty lunch room. I refused to take the load anymore and it led me to leaving the company.

Adam

 

I understand the danger of pulling away while loading/unloading and companies that use chocks, dock locks, glad hand locks, make you dolly down and unhook or any combination of those things as a safety precaution, but taking the key and making you sit out... seems excessive to me.

 

On a side note I once loaded at a place where i lost my air press. right after i got in the door. I told them I had no air and needed to call a mechanic so i might be stuck at the door awhile. They were pretty understanding but a few minutes later a mgr came out with a brand shiny new pair of chocks. There were no dock locks or any other chocks at the doors. So i gladly chock cause its always a good idea anyway. (Guess he thought my trailer was going to roll since I had no air.) Customers arent drivers so you cant expect them to understand.

 

Was in domino sugar today . There is now about 2 feet between the dock doors. Had to give up keys , he put them in a lock box. In and out in under a hour. So much improved over what it used to be!