How Much Time Do You Spend On The Road? Do You Have Any Trouble Getting Prescriptions Filled?
Topic 32311 | Page 2
This could be a good schedule for me. Can a rookie get such a route or not really?
It could be good in terms of just going to doctors appointments and such
Majority was with Swift on a NE Regional Walmart Dedicated account; 8 1/2 years, usually home once per week, 1-2 days.
Since Sept 2021; daycab, home for dinner every night; most weekends off.
Pelican, I think you are a worrying man. Companies do not prioritize medical concern based on seniority. Just tell your recruiter what you need and they will make it happen if you are hired. Many, many drivers have some sort of medical/health issue, small or large. And the companies know it’s in everybody’s best interest to have a workable plan.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
They have to get you home for doctors appointments and election day. You may also find it cheaper and easier to get a 90 days supply. Many insurance companies do this through mail order and it is cheaper with your copays. Or as stated, Walmart.
Just don't do what one of my students did and tell the trainer u took your last blood pressure pill and need a refill right now...in downtown Newark. He expected me to drive the semi into a Walgreens with the trailer! Not happening. I paid for an Uber to take him but it took hours due to his lack of planning.
Once in the Walmart system you can fill it at any Walmart in the country. 50% have truck parking so much more convenient.
And not to sell Prime to you.... But.... 😂. We have a doctor's office and chiropractor right in our terminal. I even use the dr for my "women's tests" and they will write scripts for mammograms and RX. Trying to get OBGYN appointments was terrible. It would take 2 months and, if,.when I got home my monthly visited, the doctor would expect me to return the following week.
Some companies have shuttles to various locations around the town of the terminal. So I hop on a shuttle and it takes you from the terminal to to Walmart, truck dealerships, and various hotels in the areas.
I have had various home time schedules over the years including 4 weeks out 5 days home. 6 weeks then 1 week off, and doing CDL instruction I am home daily now. A lot depends on your location and what is available at that company in that area. Even at one company, it may differ from region to region.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I’m on a 25 days out, 5 home schedule for VTL. I am looking into a Graphics Packaging dedicated position though where I would be home weekly for my reset. We will see, I do not want to give up my new truck but home weekly would be nice.
Great info! Again, was completely joking about you selling prime! Totally in jest.
They have to get you home for doctors appointments and election day. You may also find it cheaper and easier to get a 90 days supply. Many insurance companies do this through mail order and it is cheaper with your copays. Or as stated, Walmart.
Just don't do what one of my students did and tell the trainer u took your last blood pressure pill and need a refill right now...in downtown Newark. He expected me to drive the semi into a Walgreens with the trailer! Not happening. I paid for an Uber to take him but it took hours due to his lack of planning.
Once in the Walmart system you can fill it at any Walmart in the country. 50% have truck parking so much more convenient.
And not to sell Prime to you.... But.... 😂. We have a doctor's office and chiropractor right in our terminal. I even use the dr for my "women's tests" and they will write scripts for mammograms and RX. Trying to get OBGYN appointments was terrible. It would take 2 months and, if,.when I got home my monthly visited, the doctor would expect me to return the following week.
Some companies have shuttles to various locations around the town of the terminal. So I hop on a shuttle and it takes you from the terminal to to Walmart, truck dealerships, and various hotels in the areas.
I have had various home time schedules over the years including 4 weeks out 5 days home. 6 weeks then 1 week off, and doing CDL instruction I am home daily now. A lot depends on your location and what is available at that company in that area. Even at one company, it may differ from region to region.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I totally agree with a couple things that Kearsey suggested. I also require medication that I'm supposed to take everyday. I'm also required to see a doctor and have blood tested once a year to make sure my dosage is correct.
It is much more convenient to get a 90 day supply. I also switched to Walmart pharmacy for the reasons Kearsey mentioned. I've picked up prescription refills at Walmarts in Pittston, PA and Dalton, GA. All I had to do was tell the doctor's office what Walmart I wanted to pick up my meds at.
Just an FYI: I had my thyroid gland removed when i was 17 bc of cancer. My medication does all the things a normal thyroid would do. And obviously the DOT is ok with it.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Just so I understand correctly, I can have my local doctor send my prescriptions to my local Walmart, and if I'm in, say, San Jose California, I can go to a Walmart there and they will fill it for me?
They have to get you home for doctors appointments and election day. You may also find it cheaper and easier to get a 90 days supply. Many insurance companies do this through mail order and it is cheaper with your copays. Or as stated, Walmart.
Just don't do what one of my students did and tell the trainer u took your last blood pressure pill and need a refill right now...in downtown Newark. He expected me to drive the semi into a Walgreens with the trailer! Not happening. I paid for an Uber to take him but it took hours due to his lack of planning.
Once in the Walmart system you can fill it at any Walmart in the country. 50% have truck parking so much more convenient.
And not to sell Prime to you.... But.... 😂. We have a doctor's office and chiropractor right in our terminal. I even use the dr for my "women's tests" and they will write scripts for mammograms and RX. Trying to get OBGYN appointments was terrible. It would take 2 months and, if,.when I got home my monthly visited, the doctor would expect me to return the following week.
Some companies have shuttles to various locations around the town of the terminal. So I hop on a shuttle and it takes you from the terminal to to Walmart, truck dealerships, and various hotels in the areas.
I have had various home time schedules over the years including 4 weeks out 5 days home. 6 weeks then 1 week off, and doing CDL instruction I am home daily now. A lot depends on your location and what is available at that company in that area. Even at one company, it may differ from region to region.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Yeah I have to see my doctor every 3 months for a blood draw so I'm there with you
I totally agree with a couple things that Kearsey suggested. I also require medication that I'm supposed to take everyday. I'm also required to see a doctor and have blood tested once a year to make sure my dosage is correct.
It is much more convenient to get a 90 day supply. I also switched to Walmart pharmacy for the reasons Kearsey mentioned. I've picked up prescription refills at Walmarts in Pittston, PA and Dalton, GA. All I had to do was tell the doctor's office what Walmart I wanted to pick up my meds at.
Just an FYI: I had my thyroid gland removed when i was 17 bc of cancer. My medication does all the things a normal thyroid would do. And obviously the DOT is ok with it.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Just so I understand correctly, I can have my local doctor send my prescriptions to my local Walmart, and if I'm in, say, San Jose California, I can go to a Walmart there and they will fill it for me?
They have to get you home for doctors appointments and election day. You may also find it cheaper and easier to get a 90 days supply. Many insurance companies do this through mail order and it is cheaper with your copays. Or as stated, Walmart.
Just don't do what one of my students did and tell the trainer u took your last blood pressure pill and need a refill right now...in downtown Newark. He expected me to drive the semi into a Walgreens with the trailer! Not happening. I paid for an Uber to take him but it took hours due to his lack of planning.
Once in the Walmart system you can fill it at any Walmart in the country. 50% have truck parking so much more convenient.
And not to sell Prime to you.... But.... 😂. We have a doctor's office and chiropractor right in our terminal. I even use the dr for my "women's tests" and they will write scripts for mammograms and RX. Trying to get OBGYN appointments was terrible. It would take 2 months and, if,.when I got home my monthly visited, the doctor would expect me to return the following week.
Some companies have shuttles to various locations around the town of the terminal. So I hop on a shuttle and it takes you from the terminal to to Walmart, truck dealerships, and various hotels in the areas.
I have had various home time schedules over the years including 4 weeks out 5 days home. 6 weeks then 1 week off, and doing CDL instruction I am home daily now. A lot depends on your location and what is available at that company in that area. Even at one company, it may differ from region to region.
Yes, that is correct. If it wasn’t for Walmart, everybody would be dead.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
"If it wasn't for Walmart, everybody would be dead."
What a quote 😆
Just so I understand correctly, I can have my local doctor send my prescriptions to my local Walmart, and if I'm in, say, San Jose California, I can go to a Walmart there and they will fill it for me?
They have to get you home for doctors appointments and election day. You may also find it cheaper and easier to get a 90 days supply. Many insurance companies do this through mail order and it is cheaper with your copays. Or as stated, Walmart.
Just don't do what one of my students did and tell the trainer u took your last blood pressure pill and need a refill right now...in downtown Newark. He expected me to drive the semi into a Walgreens with the trailer! Not happening. I paid for an Uber to take him but it took hours due to his lack of planning.
Once in the Walmart system you can fill it at any Walmart in the country. 50% have truck parking so much more convenient.
And not to sell Prime to you.... But.... 😂. We have a doctor's office and chiropractor right in our terminal. I even use the dr for my "women's tests" and they will write scripts for mammograms and RX. Trying to get OBGYN appointments was terrible. It would take 2 months and, if,.when I got home my monthly visited, the doctor would expect me to return the following week.
Some companies have shuttles to various locations around the town of the terminal. So I hop on a shuttle and it takes you from the terminal to to Walmart, truck dealerships, and various hotels in the areas.
I have had various home time schedules over the years including 4 weeks out 5 days home. 6 weeks then 1 week off, and doing CDL instruction I am home daily now. A lot depends on your location and what is available at that company in that area. Even at one company, it may differ from region to region.
Yes, that is correct. If it wasn’t for Walmart, everybody would be dead.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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The Swift Walmart Dedicated gig; I had 3 months of OTR when I started it. They do take rookies. Swift has numerous dedicated accounts with weekly home time.
The job I currently have, in no way would I recommend it for a rookie. Lots of off road work in rural areas; 48’ & 53’ walking-floor chip trailers and 57’ lowboy. Most local gigs require experience…
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.