WalMart drivers word to the wise...

I had an opportunity 6 months ago to go from Central freight to Walmart. I took a week of vacation to go to onboarding at Searcy AR. They said it was the 17th class they had this year, and there were 42 in my class. Red flag #1 . The company advertises that their drivers average .89 cpm. Talking with another driver who had worked for them previously, I found out that actual pay is .49 cpm starting out. Top out pay is. 54 cpm. Red flag #2. Anyone that's been through their onboarding knows that the first day is drug screening, HR and company policies. Day 2 you start doing their pretrip, backing and road test. But they are practice tests. While on the road test with a trainer, I notice a driver facing camera and say oh Walmart runs cameras? Trainer says, yea but they aren't turned on only the outward facing one is. Red flag #3. On Thursday is the real deal. If you pass their tests you are officially a Walmart driver, and can go home. I pass all 3 the first time. I get home and email that I've decided to stay with Central Freight. Even after getting laid off from Central last week, I feel I made the correct choice for me. We as truck drivers have enough crap to put up with from the DOT without being micromanaged by a company. Walmart doesn't assign trucks to new hires until you get a bid run, which may take years. So I'd have to slip seat a sleeper truck. ## that. Not to mention, I'd have to give up my home daily, off every weekend and holidays job.

 

I hope you get a home daily weekends off job to replace the one you lost.

 

I did.

 

I work 12 hour days 4 days a week. Time and a half after 40 all 8n a day cab. Enjoy my long weekends, hope I never do otr, or regional with 34 hour re sets again

 

We have a driver that left us for Walmart. Talked to him a couple days ago and he likes it there alot. He really likes how quickly he has earned PTO. Personally I would not like slip seating a sleeper

 

My opinion.

Last spring I had thoughts of going over to Wally to finish my career. Had several phone conversations w a lead manager at the Menomonee, WI. DC. Nice gal.
Had me scheduled for onboarding in IL in June.
Already had plans to go to Mexico for the wife's dental work and told her I needed to push dates back till late fall after both dental visits had been complete.
She has continued to leave me messages reminding me how the recent negative changes for drivers were being rescinded and going back towards previous policies...lol
We have 2 ex WM drivers here now and 1 who left us for the fleet years ago that I text/speak with so it was hard get an unbiased opinion.
After weighing the pro/cons of switching employers I felt the move was, at best, a lateral one, w the pay (cut) and being away from home each week the deciding factors for me.
Slip seating not a factor nor the 60+ mile commute once a week.
I also compared the forecasted stock growth of both as it pertains to investment in a retirement 401/Roth. Up 25% vs down 2% ytd.

I decided to stay put at my private carrier till retirement.
The job at WM for a younger driver offers a great stable future. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the company for a long term driving career.
Yeah it's a corporate regimented job but... you're payed for all of your time!
Can't count the number of hours driving OTR that I gave away my time in the name of the "freedom" of the lifestyle.
The funny thing about "compensation " in our industry is it is never calculated in term of "time"..away from home, family and the pursuit of personal fulfillment, whatever yours may be.

The industry slide continues imho.

 

Red flag #4. It’s my understanding that the Wally World uniform is NOT tailor fitted.

Let it be noted that Frank Speak stands for:

DEATH before off the hanger garments!

 

I figured up what Wally advertises in the form of pay, plus 5 1/2 days out, I put time against pay and it came out to around $12 per hr. Oh, now I hear, "oh you can't count the hours you are sleeping", I do!! I do not care if I am driving, sitting a dock or in the sleeper, I am away from home and in the real world still "on duty". A driver is never really off when he is on the road.

 

Think your looking for negatives

 

Grouch? Naw, never happen!