Pulled My Last DG Load

Well I ended my journey with Werner and the Dollar General account. Turned in my truck yesterday and headed home. I definitely have mixed emotions about it.

My thoughts after a year and a half on the account are mostly positive.

Werner was always a great company for me. I don’t know if I would have liked to drive otr with them but every account is different. I think it’s the same with most companies. To me some type of dedicated would be the way to go.

Originally I wanted to do flatbed but when I was retiring from the military none of the companies that I were interested in going to were training newbies. A buddy of mine was a trainer for Werner and ran the Dg account and offered to get me on his truck and make sure I was trained properly. I think that definitely set me up for success while I was here.

I definitely do not think this job is for everyone. If you don’t have strong attention to detail or if you are impatient or the thought of touching freight isn’t your bag . Definitely DG isnt for you.

For me it was rewarding. I made a pretty decent living for a newbie and it definitely kept me in shape. I enjoyed getting out and delivering for the most part kept me from just driving for 11 hrs a day which isn’t really my bag. I think it definitely sharpened my backing, problem solving , and overall driving skills. There were some hard lessons learned along the way. A benefit was being able to mostly never worry about parking because I could park at almost any DG store . That really helped me maximize my clock.

I actually would stay with it but I want to be home a bit more. And I would be lying if I said I didn’t “feel” the unloading portion a little bit more. I was kicking ass in my mid 40s while 20 somethings were dropping like flies so I’m kinda proud of that.

Here is my gross earnings so far . With my final check I will be over 90 and could have easily been over 100 but I was off for illness for a few weeks and had a few Va appointments through the year. Also some weeks this summer I said screw it and took longer weekends instead of grinding and getting more loads.

I start my new job on the 3rd and am pretty excited about it. I had to do a few phone interviews . Then go in and do a pretrip, skills, and road test (it was on a manual, took a minute on the ds but I got with it) a few more phone interviews and was offered the job. I will say where once I am started and settled in.

Thanks for following my DG journey and I hope y’all have a merry Christmas and happy New Year

You did an amazing job, much to be proud of. You had many obstacles and didn't let them upset you. So many of those DG locations aren't designed for trucks (I remember your nose sticking out in the street overnight) and you figured out solutions to get around problems and broken liftgates, etc., more than what most drivers could get done. You made some very good money on that account and you worked hard to earn it. I hope seeing that money doesn't get too many to want to try it without thoroughly reading your diary to see the work involved.

Where to next?

Papa Pig, I wish you all the success you so rightly deserve. Your posts have shown your true character and dedication to perfection so all drivers could learn some skills in delivering difficult stores. I hope your next company learns to appreciate a great driver that you are. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Oh PS. I didn't recognize you with the new avatar and can't say I like it but I don't have to. Good luck driver.

Congratulations. I enjoyed following your DG journey and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

Isn't it fun when they test you in a manual and you haven't touched one in forever lol

I, as well, am excited for you, Ray!!!! I enjoyed following your travails!

Nice numbers for the time you WERE there; you've probably endured the DG account longer than many, good sir. Tom couldn't've done it, if our bank account depended on it. Kudos, man.

(Hope the Werner 'stock' fiasco didn't have a play in it, haha!)

I'll be looking forward to your new journey, of course, also!

Best wishes, and ENJOY CHRISTMAS with your family!

~ Anne & Fam ~

I will say where once I am started and settled in.

Thanks for following my DG journey and I hope y’all have a merry Christmas and happy New Year

If I had to guess I'd say Dollar Tree.

;-)

I will say where once I am started and settled in.

Thanks for following my DG journey and I hope y’all have a merry Christmas and happy New Year

If I had to guess I'd say Dollar Tree.

;-)

Not a chance. I did my time touching freight lol

Congratulations on your complete success starting out doing an extremely difficult aspect of trucking that we never, ever recommend for a brand new driver. You definitely beat all the odds, Harlon!

Coincidentally I'm on my final load, too. I'm off until 11 JAN.

Good luck PR!

Good luck on your new journey. Thanks for your help and advice.

I'm 4 months in now. I did my first recap this week. Stayed out 2 weeks. Made $2,390 last week and $1,600 this week(took off friday and saturday)

Being able to park at most DGs overnight is a huge luxury. Also not a better feeling than getting to your store delivery at 11pm and not having to start your clock until your pretrip when you leave in the morning.

I got a little to anal with my clock, I had to call safety yesterday because i got flagged with a 3 minute trailer drop/workflow. Guy was like you'd have to be running around the trailer doing your post trip. lol.

I agree. If you don't want to bust your ass and don't have the patience to deal with lazy managers and workers with disaster stores/back delivery areas this job isnt for you.