Walmart here I come!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all !!!

My "Monday" is today, but our DC worked real hard to get almost everyone home for Thanksgiving. So, I am home today, and go out tomorrow. If I had known this in advance, we would have had our Thanksgiving dinner today. However, we already had it planned for yesterday, with others coming. No biggie as I get to eat more "good eats" today !!!

Wages can also be determined by your DC's starting wage and the mix of miles and activity. Especially if the activity is in tight, hard to maneuver around areas. The one constant being, you will do well, and if you do a good job, you will easily make more than what the radio ad says.................... your first year. For me, not having worked with all of the electronics used, my learning curve was a bit slower. However, I will do significantly better than the radio ad says............... my first year. I will never be the $450 a day driver, and that is just fine with me.

I will say that I am better rested and more relaxed than I have ever been doing this job. Also, you cannot put a "wage" on being treated great at your job. Until you see it in person, you just cannot fathom what we are talking about. Yes, it is better than you think it is. I was expecting a lot, and I am still surprised on a regular basis.

 

Really not here for your approval Ive been driving now for 23 years and 2.5 million safe driving documented miles. So I don't need any approval. I stated what my friend is making.. I drive for Firestone and make 1600 to 2000 a week myself.. But I also have to unload tires. And drozzer69 thanks....

 

So many pages of information, excluding the ego & bickering of course.
Thanks much for all of your detailed info & experiences of private fleet, & I hope this thread will live on as I have not yet finished 1/2 of it & still come back when I have time.

I work for a major & voluntarily signed on to run one of the dedicated grocery DC's & never want to pull regular OTR again.
I will do OTR in summer & fall to keep up a good variety of experience for résumé, & run Walmart in winter/early spring since around the DC does not get near the bad weather + accidents + mountains that slow driving down & kill hours in many other areas of the country.

One thing for sure, as SOON as I hit requirements, every DC in all the US is going to get a constant barrage of applications until I am hired.
Setting sights on getting hired by the time I turn 30 but won't be broke up if it takes longer.

Even as a contractor for Walmart, I consistantly get treated better then ANY where ever encountered on OTR.

Up at the Pottsville PA DC, there was a WM driver who helped me with the paperwork on my first load & i swear he was not over 30 if that.
Super friendly & helpful.

Cheers & be safe.


Some private fleet questions:

What does WM do with those 3mil mi custom trucks when their driver retires?

As stated above, starting wages vary by area but all in all, is driving pay or activity pay making more per hour for you?

Do drivers get paid extra to haul those doubles? I swear i saw twin 53's in new york on the i90 one night, then again, i have never seen the amount of turnpike doubles in general by companies i didnt even know used them (including WM) that i saw being hauled there.

What is this legend of $450 a day drivers & what or where are they doing/going different to get that?

Do the cascadias have the onguard cruise control crash mitigation device or the out of lane buzzers?

Since WM is conscious of fuel, are you only allowed to go 65 a certain amount of time?

Min MPG to maintain for continued employment?

What are the quarterly router incentives & how do they affect (for good or bad) you the driver?

Has anyone seen a Walmart reefer trailer with the new thermo king precedent reefer unit?

Is the 6/3 schedule the holy grail for wages/time off/not worrying about hitting your 70?

If not, what is the most efficient schedule and/or DC in your opinions for someone who wants to maximize earnings with no need to worry about personal/family time? (Been working 7 days a week no days off for coming up on a year now)

What are your favorite DC's (for any reason) & why?

Are you able to work your schedule to run mostly days/nights or is it whatever you are assigned that needs to get done? (I try to work it so I run nights as much as possible for traffic reasons)



Got a remix going to one Walmart in st.Louie tonight & they don't have a drop according to my papers...they are going to be thrilled with 26+ pallets live unload.

I swear that is the best part of this job, (since I'm not paid private fleet scale ;P) seeing the looks on their faces at a Walmart when they get over 15 pallets.

If you look quick enough, you can see the look of someone who has seen the end of the world & lost all hope; makes me cackle in glee!

....Sam's on the other hand, just look bored & say "is that all?"
4 of us ganged one Sam's in Indy one morning with over 50 pallets total & they still had room.

Thanks much,
Cheers

 

Wow, that's a lot of questions. I only have a minute so I'll answer a couple. In the U.S., in most, if not all states, there are no double 53's, they are 48's. Only Canada (under a test program) do they have double 53's, and only Canadian companies can run them. And yes, they get paid very well for doing the doubles, highest seniority guys so you'd never get the chance for many many years. We don't get penalized for fuel economy. 6/3 great for time off, best pay is 5/2, gives you 18 days per year more to work. I got the 6/3 and love the time off balance. Gotta run, sure someone else will add much to this 'hit and run' reply.

 

same here glad when it slows up a bit......

 

Same here. Am on recap due to having Thanksgiving off. Will be home tonight.

Too much turkey, and too busy. LOL

 

I am balling my eyes out right now! December 16th my husband will be in this orientation! I am so thankful! He finally gets his white uniform!