Walmart Journey, Take 2

So I was scheduled for onboarding about a year ago, but didn’t go because my present company offered a big raise to stay. Things have changed over the last year and with the new Walmart salary I figured now is the time to try again. I’m scheduled for onboarding May 9 in Smyrna DE. Anyone else going there then? Anyone have any good tips for making it through the onboarding? Thanks. Oh, also if I make it I’ll be working out of Gordonsville VA dc. Anyone know anything about that particular dc?

So I was scheduled for onboarding about a year ago, but didn’t go because my present company offered a big raise to stay. Things have changed over the last year and with the new Walmart salary I figured now is the time to try again. I’m scheduled for onboarding May 9 in Smyrna DE. Anyone else going there then? Anyone have any good tips for making it through the onboarding? Thanks. Oh, also if I make it I’ll be working out of Gordonsville VA dc. Anyone know anything about that particular dc?

WMPF, or one of their (many) associates? If it's the bigguns, I'd suggest you look at (and/or into) Turtle's diary on such.

I'll try to find the link: Turtle, on WMPF .. DIARY!

Seeing NOW, that he's already replied to you there; I'd suggest you look up and/or contact so MANY of our members, that've hauled WM dedicated.

• G'Town

• Pianoman

• PackRat

• Rainy,maybe?

• SO MANY have tried, dabbled, et al. Tractor Man & Danielsahn from the ole'days.

• ...and the beat goes on!!

It's Easter; that's a beginning!

Wish you the best; look up what we've shared, and carry on!!

~ Anne ~

Thanks! Yes he’s replied to me there last year. Not sure if anything has changed. Thankful for any information. I’ll check into what you said. Yes it’s Easter. Great time for a new beginning.

So I was scheduled for onboarding about a year ago, but didn’t go because my present company offered a big raise to stay. Things have changed over the last year and with the new Walmart salary I figured now is the time to try again. I’m scheduled for onboarding May 9 in Smyrna DE. Anyone else going there then? Anyone have any good tips for making it through the onboarding? Thanks. Oh, also if I make it I’ll be working out of Gordonsville VA dc. Anyone know anything about that particular dc?

WMPF, or one of their (many) associates? If it's the bigguns, I'd suggest you look at (and/or into) Turtle's diary on such.

I'll try to find the link: Turtle, on WMPF .. DIARY!

Seeing NOW, that he's already replied to you there; I'd suggest you look up and/or contact so MANY of our members, that've hauled WM dedicated.

• G'Town

• Pianoman

• PackRat

• Rainy,maybe?

• SO MANY have tried, dabbled, et al. Tractor Man & Danielsahn from the ole'days.

• ...and the beat goes on!!

It's Easter; that's a beginning!

Wish you the best; look up what we've shared, and carry on!!

~ Anne ~

Welcome back, Brandon. As you are realizing, now is a better time than ever to join the WMPF. In an effort to reduce third-party dedicated carriers, WM is seriously ramping up efforts to bring in more private fleet drivers. In my DC alone we are looking to take on something like 70 more drivers on top of the 80ish we already have.

Anyone have any good tips for making it through the onboarding?

It's been nearly 3 years since my onboarding, but I don't imagine much has changed. As long as you can pre-trip, back, and drive a truck, you'll be fine.

For the pre-trip, you don't need to recite the whole "not cracked, bent, or broken... no abrasions, bulges, or cuts" thing like you do for a CDL exam. You just need to know the parts and explain that you are inspecting them. At my onboarding, the pre-trip was timed, so I suggest you practice your efficiency now.

Tip: When possible, consolidate several inspection points into one vocalization. For example, instead of pointing to each individual tire and saying they are good, point to all of the tires and say "all of my tires are good." Thump all the tires, check the lug nuts, and move on quickly.

When you get to your trailer tandems , crawl underneath and, while pointing at the items with both hands, say " my brake drums, linings, chambers, and hoses are all good on both sides." Follow what I mean? Consolidate your time during the pre-trip. It's not a race, you still have to be thorough. Just show them you know what you're doing.

Before the backing test, it's critical that you show patience with your approach, set up, and execution. Don't rush it. If it's the same test I had, you have a very confined space in which to make your setup, similar to if you were behind an actual store. Take your time. Get your setup, GOAL. Walk around the whole truck. Walk into the space to look for nails or debris. Get back in, toot your city horn, and start backing. Before your trailer enters the space, get out again and walk around the whole truck and trailer. These guys are big on the GOAL, as well as the 360° walk around. Pull up as needed. This is not a race, either. The key here is safety. Don't hit the cones or trailers.

As you would expect, the drive tests are all about safety as well. Just be calm and smooth and safe. Nothing to it.

Easy peasy, man.

Thanks Turtle! It’s good to be back going after this good opportunity. Thanks for all the help and information. I wish I had gone last year, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I believe this is the best time for me to go. And not just the money but other reasons as well. I’ve read your story of your experiences at onboarding and I’ve found it very helpful and informative and I thank you for it. I’m both nervous and excited at the same time because I’m giving up a very good job, but I believe sometimes you just have to step out in faith.

Welcome back, Brandon. As you are realizing, now is a better time than ever to join the WMPF. In an effort to reduce third-party dedicated carriers, WM is seriously ramping up efforts to bring in more private fleet drivers. In my DC alone we are looking to take on something like 70 more drivers on top of the 80ish we already have.

Anyone have any good tips for making it through the onboarding?

It's been nearly 3 years since my onboarding, but I don't imagine much has changed. As long as you can pre-trip, back, and drive a truck, you'll be fine.

For the pre-trip, you don't need to recite the whole "not cracked, bent, or broken... no abrasions, bulges, or cuts" thing like you do for a CDL exam. You just need to know the parts and explain that you are inspecting them. At my onboarding, the pre-trip was timed, so I suggest you practice your efficiency now.

Tip: When possible, consolidate several inspection points into one vocalization. For example, instead of pointing to each individual tire and saying they are good, point to all of the tires and say "all of my tires are good." Thump all the tires, check the lug nuts, and move on quickly.

When you get to your trailer tandems , crawl underneath and, while pointing at the items with both hands, say " my brake drums, linings, chambers, and hoses are all good on both sides." Follow what I mean? Consolidate your time during the pre-trip. It's not a race, you still have to be thorough. Just show them you know what you're doing.

Before the backing test, it's critical that you show patience with your approach, set up, and execution. Don't rush it. If it's the same test I had, you have a very confined space in which to make your setup, similar to if you were behind an actual store. Take your time. Get your setup, GOAL. Walk around the whole truck. Walk into the space to look for nails or debris. Get back in, toot your city horn, and start backing. Before your trailer enters the space, get out again and walk around the whole truck and trailer. These guys are big on the GOAL, as well as the 360° walk around. Pull up as needed. This is not a race, either. The key here is safety. Don't hit the cones or trailers.

As you would expect, the drive tests are all about safety as well. Just be calm and smooth and safe. Nothing to it.

Easy peasy, man.

Put my two weeks notice with my company today. Hard thing to do after 10 years, but if I can get into Walmart it will be worth it. Either way need a change of scenery. I’m studying pre trip constantly and practicing backing as much as possible. I really want this. The next two weeks are going to move so slow.

We're all with you. Just keep your nerves intact and you'll be fine.

Maybe start a training diary of your own, to document your experience at Smyrna. I'm sure it'll help someone else in the future, as I hope mine did.

Keep us in the loop!

We're all with you. Just keep your nerves intact and you'll be fine.

Maybe start a training diary of your own, to document your experience at Smyrna. I'm sure it'll help someone else in the future, as I hope mine did.

Keep us in the loop!

Turtle,

I see that WM has a position called Yard Driver/City Driver. Any idea what that involves? I know what BOTH do but I didn't know WM had something like this.

Thanks! That’s a good idea. I’ll do that. I got a lot out of your, I’d love to be able to help the next person. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll keep you posted.

We're all with you. Just keep your nerves intact and you'll be fine.

Maybe start a training diary of your own, to document your experience at Smyrna. I'm sure it'll help someone else in the future, as I hope mine did.

Keep us in the loop!

Turtle,

I see that WM has a position called Yard Driver/City Driver. Any idea what that involves? I know what BOTH do but I didn't know WM had something like this.

No, I'm not sure what that position involves. Sounds like a day driver that does local short hops and fills in as a jockey, but I can't say I've noticed anything like that here at my yard.