Pepsi

BUMBACLADWAR · Apr 12, 2017

TheyCallMeDave said: ↑

I will add to this, OP you really need to weigh your options here. It's not necessarily all about the pay. When I finished school back in May of last year I skipped going OTR, regional or dedicated because my wife was pregnant. I've been paying the price since then. I've gotten on with a few sketchy outfits, and it always went down hill becasue I was adamant about staying local. Now, however, I'm on the verge of going into a regional or dedicated position, so I can rack up some miles and move on and get some legitimate experience on paper. I also got offered a job a Pepsi a few months ago, but as stated the experience works differently. "Usually" if you work for a company like Pepsi running the side loaded trailers for say 6 months, a company might only give you 3 months of experience "on paper." At least that's what happened to a buddy of mine who ran for Dr Pepper before getting on with OD. It is however still solid delivery experience, which is a plus if you plan to get on with an LTL outfit. There were a couple of reasons I declined the job, A. becasue they only ran automatics, B. I wanted legitimate experienced and C. It was just a "floater" position so nothing was promised until you finally got a permanent route, form what I was told by the DM there. I can't bank of "if's" I need to know I'm getting at least 40 hours a week.

You can make some decent money at a place like Pepsi, but you will absolutely work your tail off for it, so be prepared for long hours, and a lot of moving around. It's no uncommon to see those guys still running at 7pm or later around here. You really need to think about what you want out of your driving career. Are you wanting to drive mainly? If so, Pepsi isn't ideal becasue you'll be outside the cab of the truck, performing manual labor most of the day. Same thing with Coke, Dr Pepper, PFG, Mclane, etc. Those jobs require driving, but most of it will be labor, but you usually get compensated pretty well.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck, but don't make the mistake I did and take the first thing that pops up local, just for the simple fact that it's local. Really think about what you want as far as your future goals are concerned with trucking, then make the appropriate moves from the get go that will take you to that goal the quickest. Whether that be local, OTR, regional or dedicated. I was just like you, my wife was 8 months pregnant with our first child and there was no way in hell I was leaving. I thought I had it all figured out and I was confident I'd land a LEGIT local gig if I tried hard enough. Reality check and 11 months later, it's been a #### show my friend. I've gotten jobs, but with my limited experience I could only get on with sketchy outfits, that's just the way it is around here. Now here I am, with a wife and 9 month old and I'm right there on the edge of the cliff about jump and go regional or dedicated. Do I want to? Absolutely not, but at this point, if I want to have a SUCCESSFUL career driving a rig and get on with the LEGIT companies where I live, I'm going to have to do it for at least 6 months to a year, to add to my current experience. I can't stress it enough, THINK.IT.THROUGH. and don't stress on the "now," think long term. Good luck friend.

Dave
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Yes,Dave is right.If you're not too old or in bad physical shape I would take the Pepsi gig.My uncle worked there till he became "too hobbled" to do the job.He was "out of shape" to start with and had a back like a "breadstick".Popped in and out frequently ,kind like one of them "popper" board games . Maybe, im beyond burned out,but those OTR jobs dont appeal to me.Done them before,32 days out at a time or longer.When you figure the hours(was making "KFC wages".This local Pepsi driving counts for Saii,or R&L im almost sure of it.Saia hauls,pups ,48 etc.Once you become "a human map",youll be very desirable hardware to these LTL companies+ the ability to Unload.Lets see...hang out at truck stops with the "John Candys" or sleep at home.To me its a no brainer.JMO

AnthonyM757 · Apr 12, 2017

I'm going to be 100% honest with you..

I work for Coke doing Bulk.. One day when I was training, they sent me out with this sideloader (What you'll be doing at Pepsi) to help him with his route...

We had around 20 stops.. in the summer... Just imagine taking out heavy cases of soda and stacking them to the brim of a cart... and then pushing that cart up a ramp and into the store.. Just to un-stack them and stock and rotate the entire store...

I did this for 14 hours... With the help of someone else.. and the supervisor came in and helped us with our last 3 stops...

They get paid more than us, but they can keep it....

No way in hell I would ever do that again.. The whole time I was thinking about how good the OTR boys had it..

Radman · Apr 12, 2017

The first week is hell. I was like that a US Foods thinking what did I get myself into. So I refocused why I took foodservice. Body got use to it and it got easier. When I came into the job I had a positive outlook and a reason. If you have your reason you'll be driven by it. Like wanting experience to better your resume and going LTL without going OTR route. Plus there is more money in unloading jobs then most OTR gigs and you'll have time to enjoy it at home.

If you have a FML attitude you won't make it at a unloading job or you'll be extremely miserable. I did it at 34 years old too.

J-Dub · Apr 14, 2017

Thanks again for the awesome replies. Been reading them over.

Went to Pepsi interview today. Did the little test they have. Did the interview. 3 hours, yes 3, later I was shaking the hiring managers hand and told "thanks for coming out". No kiss my ###, no we will call you, no your hired. Zilch. It was strange. I'm used to "well call you". Bizarre. Oh well. Off to the mega on Monday.

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