Wanting the inside scoop on Tyson

Hey all,

I've been unemployed for a couple of months, lots of varying reasons as to why but now I need to hop back into the interstate circus so I've been applying to a bunch of places. Currently it seems like 2 (maybe 3) places are interested in taking me on, but Tyson is the closest and I've heard good things about working with them, despite it being a reefer place (presumably since they haul chicken). Anybody work there, and if so, any opinions on how good for a company they are? OTR or Regional/Local?

Edit: Should clarify, 11 months experience, CDL A, HM/Tanker endorsements, pretty clean record.

 

Tyson Foods to shut four US chicken plants in blow to small towns
Aug 8, 2023 · CHICAGO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods (TSN.N) is shutting four more chicken plants

 

Saw that at a glance, I don't live in any of those places but still good to know about. I don't plan on being there forever...well, unless the job is really good for what it is.

 

I’ve been regional at Tyson for two years. It’s been a really great job, and they’ve given me absolutely nothing to complain about.

That said…

The company is going through changes, and I’m curious to see how it all works out. We’ve got autonomous trucks running in nw Arkansas now. The dc’s are changing the types of loads they handle, and I’m seeing a lot more customer loads than I did previously. Nothing has been said, but I’m noticing new intermodal chassis showing up, too.

interesting times for sure, but I’d still encourage you to join us. Best of luck!

 

Appreciate that greatly, it seems like a pretty chill place to work. The job they called me for was at an affiliate doing rendering - seems a bit different than the average reefer regional/OTR position, but seems like an easy enough job all the same based on what I've read about it. Just disgusting. Maybe could transfer for another position in the future.

 

River Valley? I don’t know much about that side, other than occasionally dropping scrap loads there. Believe it’s on par with the rest of the operation. Nasty, yes, but the compensation will be worth it.

 

I believe so, yes. Called RVAF, out in NC. I've heard it's gross and smells disgusting, but personally I don't think I'd mind that too much.

 

You’ll probably be there long enough to drop and hook or fill a tanker. It won’t be bad at all.

 

You ever been there?
That is easily the most disgusting smell on the planet earth.
We have one about an hour or so from here. Whenever I drive past it, I hold my breath.
When I was in ltl, we used to pick up their augers to be rebuilt and sharpened. We picked one up and sent it to Texas. Well, they left it in the yard for a couple of days, and by the time they delivered it, the trailer was trashed. They had to cut the entire floor out of the trailer to get the smell out.
I got a call from my regional manager the next day. He said, "under no circumstances whatsoever are you ever to pick that stuff up again."
I'm like, not a problem.

But, yeah. If you have a weak stomach, you might want to at least drive over there and see what you're getting in to.

 

Yes, I haul scrap loads into the rvaf facilities. It’s not that terrible. Weigh it, drop it, hook and leave. Those places are honey holes for empties, as some folks can’t hold their noses for ten minutes and won’t look for one there. Lol.