System Services of America?

Congratulations! I cannot tell you much specifically about SSA as they are out West. They are likely similar to restaurant food distributors around the USA. This type job will involve as much time unloading as you spend driving most days. If you are fairly young and in good physical health, the physical labor part of the job will be easy. Be very cautious when driving in and out of the locations you will deliver to as most are not designed for tractor trailers driving through the parking lot. When you are out of the truck unloading, especially at night, be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are alone and delivering to a closed restaurant. There tends to be creepy people who wander around in the night. Most are more of a pest, but occasionally you see some who are pure evil. A friend of mine working for the Papa John's distributor out of Texas was shot in the back and killed while making a stop at a store in Tulsa, OK around 5am back in December 2012. He was minding his own business pulling a pallet off the trailer when a car filled with a few punk teenagers pulled in the parking lot and decided it would be fun to shoot someone in the back for no good reason. Not trying to scare you out of your job as this is a rare occurrence. Just be aware of your surroundings, keep a cell phone in your pocket, a flashlight, and anything that can be used as a weapon if needed (maglight flashlight, tire thumper, etc). If you have been away from your trailer while unloading, walk back to the cab of the truck at a wide angle while using the flashlight to verify no one is hiding under or near the truck. Keep your head up and eyes open. Predators usually target those not paying attention to their surroundings as they would be a softer target.

Best wishes to you. Keep us updated on when you start and how the job is going.

 

Just keep your head up and eyes open. I think of creeps out on the streets like they are dogs. You keep your eyes on them and almost always they turn and run. Truckers are viewed as very tough by most of these street creeps, but they can also smell fear. Sometimes you have to appear crazier than they are. After a while you see most of them are harmless. You just have to keep your guard up for the rare evil creep. I do a lot of praying, so I feel having God by my side has kept me safe all the years I was out delivering during the night.

 

Get a dash cam and keep it running while making deliveries. If someone is sneaking around, maybe the dash cam will get a picture.

 

My friend who was murdered up in Oklahoma did have a dash cam and believe it or not it was what helped the police track down the punks. It didn't save him, but it gave his wife and young child comfort in knowing these punks will have a date with death row in their future.

 

Here is a link to the story. My memory was a bit off on the date. It actually occurred in March 2013, not December 2012. That was the date a different friend passed away due to cancer.

http://wnow.worldnow.com/story/21785749/tulsa-police-arrest-3-teens-in-papa-johns-murder

 

Tom sorry to hear about your friend like mentioned above its a shame a man can't go out and make a honest living with out having to look over his shoulder