Nicest Driver Lounge At Customer You've Seen

I had a drop and hook at Tyson in Olathe KS today and noticed a driver lounge they had. There's had couches, tv, restroom and free showers, wifi and coffee. It wasnt anything extravagant but it's a good way to get out of the truck if you'll be there an extended amount of time, and to hear other drivers complain

What places have you delivered to that had a decent place for drivers to get out of the truck while waiting on a load?

I can honestly think of none such as your picture shows.

Normally I don’t have to get out and wait, though. The few I remember would just be some old chairs, or a bench, a vending machine, sometimes a bathroom that was not labeled, “Employees Only”. Seldom was there a tv or any reading material in a driver waiting area.

I deliver a lot to Menards so have the whole store to wander or find a comfortable chair in the lawn and garden. One place I pick up in St. Paul has TV, Microwave, clean restroom, use of a phone for business and descent supply of reading material. It is also shared with employees during their lunch break so not specifically a drivers lounge.

I have done a bunch of shopping at stores for Menards, Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, and the Home Depot while making deliveries. I made one delivery to a TS in Watertown, SD last winter and there was a nice Harley dealer just down the block. Big Mistake! I’m always looking to add to my HD t-shirt collection, because why stop at only 250???

Best Day Ever! Went in there and they had a SALE (my favorite four letter word!) on shirts. I ended up getting four for $10 each! Better than 60% off regular price. Then, they tell me I can park the truck on the side of the building for my break. How cool was that? I used maximum self control and did not do any more shopping, though.

If a customer's driver's Lounge has toilet paper it's gold. Seriously, when I first started driving solo I can't remember where it was but they had bags of microwave perfect popcorn and a microwave for the drivers. I actually thought that was pretty cool.

The HyVee DCs I've delivered to have TV, tables/chairs, occasional chairs, showers, wifi, free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, vending, microwaves, free showers etc. The sad part is if you aren't a HyVee driver, you'll probably need all that because you'll be there a while.

Can't remember the name of the place offhand, but I pick up gypsum board and a place in Arkansas that has a pretty decent driver lounge. TV, WiFi, coffee, some chairs, free showers. For no extra charge you get to watch the raccoons dumpster-diving at night. Good times.

The HyVee DCs I've delivered to have TV, tables/chairs, occasional chairs, showers, wifi, free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, vending, microwaves, free showers etc. The sad part is if you aren't a HyVee driver, you'll probably need all that because you'll be there a while.

It's nice when the customers give drivers these things but its unfortunate they're there long enough to utilize it. I'm not sure how long you've had to sit there or how long drivers sit at our yard but the industry as a whole does a poor job of getting drivers loaded and unloaded. I wonder if that's why so many places utilize outside carriers rather than using private fleets. Our drivers lounge is 1 small table with a couple hard, uncomfortable plastic chairs and a vending machine. I sat at Sysco in Olathe for 4 hours yesterday on a hard chair waiting to pick up 2 pallets going back to the manufacturer in NJ and finally got told to leave empty by dispatch. Made it back after 15 hours (used 16 hr rule).

For no extra charge you get to watch the raccoons dumpster-diving at night. Good times

Now I'm jealous. Everything you listed sounds great, but I think that is best thing they could offer!

Incidentally, there was a HyVee daycab and trailer parked for the night at this Days Inn I’m camped out in here in Morris, IL, just across the street from the TA.

The HyVee DCs I've delivered to have TV, tables/chairs, occasional chairs, showers, wifi, free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, vending, microwaves, free showers etc. The sad part is if you aren't a HyVee driver, you'll probably need all that because you'll be there a while.

It's nice when the customers give drivers these things but its unfortunate they're there long enough to utilize it. I'm not sure how long you've had to sit there or how long drivers sit at our yard but the industry as a whole does a poor job of getting drivers loaded and unloaded. I wonder if that's why so many places utilize outside carriers rather than using private fleets. Our drivers lounge is 1 small table with a couple hard, uncomfortable plastic chairs and a vending machine. I sat at Sysco in Olathe for 4 hours yesterday on a hard chair waiting to pick up 2 pallets going back to the manufacturer in NJ and finally got told to leave empty by dispatch. Made it back after 15 hours (used 16 hr rule).

For no extra charge you get to watch the raccoons dumpster-diving at night. Good times

Now I'm jealous. Everything you listed sounds great, but I think that is best thing they could offer!

What is the 16 hour rule?