Walmart here I come!

"Being home
everyday isn't all its
cracked up to be as a
driver sometimes"

Agreed. 35 min drive to/from work each way, by the time I got done with 14 hours, got home, shower, eat, spend 15-20 min with the family...I was lucky to get 6 hours sleep. Always tired. Now I sleep like a rock and I'm wide awake every day, all day.

 

I see some guys are coming from companies that they've been home every night does that become a conflict of interest when trying to get hired with Wal-Mart because the recruiter asked me if I had 3 years of otr experience in three last 3 years,I thought you had to be full time otr to get hired or am I missing something here because I'm home nights a lot and am concerned that might not qualify me to be considered for hiring there. Can anyone elaborate on that fort nee please? Thank you.

 

I was home every day for the last 5 years before getting hired here. Had a day cab too. I'd ask them for clarification but I think their term 'OTR' might just mean you drive an 18-wheeler with a non-restricted interstate CDL (meaning you can fully pass the DOT exam and be allowed to drive multi-state). We had one guy where I came from, couldn't pass his last physical, something with his peripheral vision, got cleared to drive only in NY, so he'd never qualify for Walmart or any other company who required multi-state travel.

 

Thanks NYVET, I'm really happy to hear that and after 5 years home every night how was your transition with going back over the road for you personally? See you drove for buster Brown I was like WOW to go to Wal-Mart and I read your posts I'm excited to have received the call just waiting for the first interview phone call now.

 

I was home every night to with weekends off making 1200 to 1400 a week with 4 weeks vav.... walked away and have not looked back. get plenty of rest now and treated great,

 

Same truck all week. Today wont be as productive. That's ok by me. Now off to Spring Valley, Ill. 300 miles of empty deadhead. Slow for back hauls in the area I'm in.

 

Hi Kate !!! This is Gloria, Ricks wife. He just headed back to work today. After seeing your post, I thought I would add to it. Great post, btw, and so accurate.

My husband wasn't home every night, but was home on weekends. He hauled propane, and would often sleep 6 miles from home. We tried to have him come home, but figured out that he got much more sleep if he just stayed in the truck, much like others have observed. Even with that, he was a stressed out mess. During the winter, there were never enough hours in a day, and during the summer you did nothing but stress about money. In the winter he would be lucky if he got home to wash his clothes. It was awful. They just kept pushing and pushing because they knew he was such a good employee and would do anything he could to cover the loads, without complaint. When he was home, he had no inclination to do anything. He would just sit at the computer and veg. He was so drug out, there just wasn't anything left. It just made my heart ache. Things are totally different now. He is getting great sleep. He is tired when he gets home, but is full of energy to do things on his days home. He has accomplished more on his car, in the last 10 months, than he did in 7 years with his X job. He is happy and stress free, and can spend much better quality time with our son, who is home sick today. He is happy to go to work, instead of dreading. He is a completely different person.

I got my husband back.

Until someone works for Walmart, you can't imagine. You can think you can, as we thought we did. But we were so wrong. He gave up 4 weeks vacation, being 6 miles from home, and a good income for the trucking industry. However, this wasn't just about money. This was about lifestyle, quality of lifestyle, and peace of mind. He can take a vacation now, without it being a punishment (he got paid less than 1/2 what he would normally make for a vacation day), and without worrying about money. He knows the check will be in the bank, and it won't bounce (don't ask ). He knows what day he goes to work, and what day he comes home. He knows he will be rewarded for his great safe work, instead of punished because he didn't complain about everything so others got the work. There is just no comparison, in any way. Anyone who is anxious about this switch, don't be. It will be the best decision you ever make, for you, and for your family. Oh yeah, and if you have a child, they will have a blast going to work with you. I know ours does. He is already planning his next trip.

 

Wow, the stories are amazing and very helpful primarily because I have a good paying job it's just the hours 15 to 20 to 36 hours straight we are a heavy haul company but my boss does heavy towing and recovery and Tuesday night I was in town and thought I was going home and instead got sent on a load swap because a driver from Canada hit a low bridge and 8 of us spent 4 hours swapping a floor load of coco beans in burlap bags 150 lbs a piece from one 53 foo t trailer to another and it was on an upgrade and there was 290 of them. So listening to you guys makes me salivate at even the idea of driving for Wal-Mart and if I don't get in there I'm gonna be stuck here. I know you guys all know what you have there, God bless each one of you your so fortunate and I'm happy for each and every one that I read about keep the stories and experiences coming it gives me hope. I know you all paid your dues to get there too I hope it's my time soon. Peace and happy trails.

 

Gloria again. Many many people do not get in on their first attempt. If this is what you want, and you don't get it this time, keep trying. It will come, and it is worth it.