Walmart Private Fleet

Marc wrote:

Just when I thought I might have a chance of learning to do this!

...and “what”?

Although I appreciate the compliment...I fail to see how this photograph reduces your confidence level.

Marc, you must focus all of your attention on learning how to back. When I read something like what you just wrote; I wonder if you expect to fail and have accepted that as a probable outcome. I sincerely hope not.

Honestly, I have no idea if you have what it takes to succeed at this. Only you know deep down if you can be a successful truck driver. All I know is it requires total commitment, a positive attitude and a steadfast dedication to learning it. Failure wasn’t an option for me, thus I never allowed any negative thoughts distract or dissuade me from my goal. You must approach it the exact same way.

Perspective... The first time I was dispatched to the Boothwyn PA store it took me 45-50 minutes to dock. Truth. I had 4 months of experience at the time (1 month on Walmart Dedicated) and no where near the thousands of backing repetitions I have now. I’ve been at this for almost 7 years... and this store still causes me to pause and elevate my care.

Thanks G.

Not expecting to fail. Certainly not giving up.

Dutch Maid is willing to work with me to help me get this. Recruiter said if I need a week backing on their lot they will give me a week of backing on the lot!

My reaction was based on the fact that they run all refers, Midwest to down South and a LOT of East. I could be sent to that very dock!

Mark wrote:

Not expecting to fail. Certainly not giving up.

It's quite clear you haven't given up. But please heed my suggestion on how to approach this chance with Dutch Maid.

Mark also wrote this:

Dutch Maid is willing to work with me to help me get this. Recruiter said if I need a week backing on their lot they will give me a week of backing on the lot!

You really have no choice but to take advantage of this offer. In fact I'd let them know on your first day, that you need this.

And finally:

My reaction was based on the fact that they run all refers, Midwest to down South and a LOT of East. I could be sent to that very dock!

There is a very low chance that you'll be delivering to an individual Walmart store. A Walmart Grocery DC, yes, definitely. But a store? Unless Dutch Maid runs outbound contract surge for Walmart, it's doubtful.

Please try to focus on the basics of set-up and backing...are you using the "tried and true"; toy tractor trailer?

Mark wrote:

Not expecting to fail. Certainly not giving up.

It's quite clear you haven't given up. But please heed my suggestion on how to approach this chance with Dutch Maid.

Mark also wrote this:

Dutch Maid is willing to work with me to help me get this. Recruiter said if I need a week backing on their lot they will give me a week of backing on the lot!

You really have no choice but to take advantage of this offer. In fact I'd let them know on your first day, that you need this.

And finally:

My reaction was based on the fact that they run all refers, Midwest to down South and a LOT of East. I could be sent to that very dock!

There is a very low chance that you'll be delivering to an individual Walmart store. A Walmart Grocery DC, yes, definitely. But a store? Unless Dutch Maid runs outbound contract surge for Walmart, it's doubtful.

Please try to focus on the basics of set-up and backing...are you using the "tried and true"; toy tractor trailer?

G-Town.

Left my Walmart rig behind but seeing several suitable toy rigs in my friend's basement (my bedroom). Will start working with them soon.

Box truck is helping me work on more basic items, including backing (w.o. a trailer, of course). At least I won't be completely rusty at the large vehicle, truck awareness and control stuff.

I plan on taking advantage of everything Dutch Maid has to offer, especially backing practice!

Good to know I most likely will never have to bump that particular dock!

Good to know I most likely will never have to bump that particular dock!

There are thousands more similar docks across the country, though. You will undoubtedly encounter yellow poles, lights, vehicles, pedestrians, and all sorts of other challenges. Personally, I love those challenges. I get a kick out of assessing a difficult back for the best approach, then executing that back without a hiccup. In an often humdrum day as a truck driver, a tight back is an opportunity for some fun.

Difficulties aren't necessarily something to hope to avoid. Each obstacle overcome will only increase your skill and confidence level.

Great read! I am headed to onboarding with Walmart on Monday 4-27-2020. Nervous and excited! JS.

Great read! I am headed to onboarding with Walmart on Monday 4-27-2020. Nervous and excited! JS.

Congratulations Jerry!

Great read! I am headed to onboarding with Walmart on Monday 4-27-2020. Nervous and excited! JS.

Awesome! Congratulations Jerry. It's a piece of cake, you'll be fine. Just study up on your pretrip beforehand.

Where are you doing the onboarding? They switched over to sending students to Casa Grande shortly after I joined. Now with the virus I know they're doing a lot of onboarding at your home DC to limit travel.

Thank you to you and Marc.

I have been practicing and studying the pre trip since I received my offer on March 25, I feel pretty good about that. I have been driving log truck for the last 12 years, way different then a 53' dry van , so the backing and drive test should be interesting.

The Walmart plan is that trucks and empty trailers will ultimately be based out of a 'yard' not a DC. To date, the 'yard' hasn't been built. They were going to start about 3 weeks ago but the project was halted. There are 2 DC's that are 150 plus miles from that yard that the trucks would haul to and from, Grandview Washington and Hermiston Oregon. Originally the onboarding was going to be in Arizona, but switched to Hermiston Oregon. I am headed to Hermiston this morning to start onboarding.

I will try to post daily updates, good or bad. JS.

Great read! I am headed to onboarding with Walmart on Monday 4-27-2020. Nervous and excited! JS.

Awesome! Congratulations Jerry. It's a piece of cake, you'll be fine. Just study up on your pretrip beforehand.

Where are you doing the onboarding? They switched over to sending students to Casa Grande shortly after I joined. Now with the virus I know they're doing a lot of onboarding at your home DC to limit travel.

Congratulations Jerry. Good luck.

The “plan” you described sounds more like a staging or overflow yard for dry vans because ultimately an empty trailer must make its way back to the DC. The yards like that I’m aware of are the 48’ Doubles staging areas on I-87.

None the less...best of luck to you.

Thanks G-Town! JS.