Initial Impressions

Started my new job as a shuttle driver on Monday with Ben E Keith food division. My initial impression so far is very positive.

From application to offer it took about a week and a half. The background checks seem to be more thorough than most companies . A friend of mine told me it’s because you are dealing with food but I don’t know. It could just be the agency they use.

There was only 4 of us in our 2 days of orientation/ onboarding. Most of the information was not transportation related but ALOT to do with proper food handling, OSHA type training. Then your basic jj Keller trucking videos that everyone knows about

The facility was new and top of the line and everyone was VERY friendly and accommodating. The people that work here definitely believe in the company and try to represent it the best they can. Very professional and polite all the way through. The HR rep and the transportation manager asked us where we wanted to eat and took us to a local bbq place and ate lunch with us. When I got to my yard I was assigned a mentor who walked me through hooking doubles and the elogs system. The elogs and pretrip procedures here are very different than what I am used to but I’m picking it up. I’m trying to feel my way around the procedures and how things are done so I am taking my time.

The warehouse pickup procedure is very organized. We fuel up on the yard and they have a fuel station that allows you to hit both tractor tanks, def, and both reefer trailers at one time. It’s a very smooth process. And the people dealing with getting the loads out and the yard drivers are great and very helpful

Every driver at the yard and every employee I have met has nothing but great things to say and so far it seems like this is going to be a very good fit. Only about 7-8 hours on duty a day. 5 days a week.

So far I’m very impressed and glad I made the move. I have been missing driving since I left Werner. I enjoyed my time teaching but I think this is going to be a much better fit.

Papa Pig, Congratulations and good luck on your new adventure. It sounds like found a real gem of a company. If only they all were this professional in their approach on how to run a company.

Started my new job as a shuttle driver on Monday with Ben E Keith food division. My initial impression so far is very positive.

From application to offer it took about a week and a half. The background checks seem to be more thorough than most companies . A friend of mine told me it’s because you are dealing with food but I don’t know. It could just be the agency they use.

There was only 4 of us in our 2 days of orientation/ onboarding. Most of the information was not transportation related but ALOT to do with proper food handling, OSHA type training. Then your basic jj Keller trucking videos that everyone knows about

The facility was new and top of the line and everyone was VERY friendly and accommodating. The people that work here definitely believe in the company and try to represent it the best they can. Very professional and polite all the way through. The HR rep and the transportation manager asked us where we wanted to eat and took us to a local bbq place and ate lunch with us. When I got to my yard I was assigned a mentor who walked me through hooking doubles and the elogs system. The elogs and pretrip procedures here are very different than what I am used to but I’m picking it up. I’m trying to feel my way around the procedures and how things are done so I am taking my time.

The warehouse pickup procedure is very organized. We fuel up on the yard and they have a fuel station that allows you to hit both tractor tanks, def, and both reefer trailers at one time. It’s a very smooth process. And the people dealing with getting the loads out and the yard drivers are great and very helpful

Every driver at the yard and every employee I have met has nothing but great things to say and so far it seems like this is going to be a very good fit. Only about 7-8 hours on duty a day. 5 days a week.

So far I’m very impressed and glad I made the move. I have been missing driving since I left Werner. I enjoyed my time teaching but I think this is going to be a much better fit.

You run reefer pups? Don’t think I’ve ever seen those

That’s what PFG, Sysco and US foods run as well.

Started my new job as a shuttle driver on Monday with Ben E Keith food division. My initial impression so far is very positive.

From application to offer it took about a week and a half. The background checks seem to be more thorough than most companies . A friend of mine told me it’s because you are dealing with food but I don’t know. It could just be the agency they use.

There was only 4 of us in our 2 days of orientation/ onboarding. Most of the information was not transportation related but ALOT to do with proper food handling, OSHA type training. Then your basic jj Keller trucking videos that everyone knows about

The facility was new and top of the line and everyone was VERY friendly and accommodating. The people that work here definitely believe in the company and try to represent it the best they can. Very professional and polite all the way through. The HR rep and the transportation manager asked us where we wanted to eat and took us to a local bbq place and ate lunch with us. When I got to my yard I was assigned a mentor who walked me through hooking doubles and the elogs system. The elogs and pretrip procedures here are very different than what I am used to but I’m picking it up. I’m trying to feel my way around the procedures and how things are done so I am taking my time.

The warehouse pickup procedure is very organized. We fuel up on the yard and they have a fuel station that allows you to hit both tractor tanks, def, and both reefer trailers at one time. It’s a very smooth process. And the people dealing with getting the loads out and the yard drivers are great and very helpful

Every driver at the yard and every employee I have met has nothing but great things to say and so far it seems like this is going to be a very good fit. Only about 7-8 hours on duty a day. 5 days a week.

So far I’m very impressed and glad I made the move. I have been missing driving since I left Werner. I enjoyed my time teaching but I think this is going to be a much better fit.

You run reefer pups? Don’t think I’ve ever seen those

How you liking them doubles?

Do you like the swap of a bed for a window in the back?

Most of those day cab drivers work pretty long hours but you seem to have a nice schedule but I imagine you selected them partly because your pay is still pretty good.

Best wishes for a successful career there!

How you liking them doubles?

So far so good. Once I figured the right way to hook them so far they seem way easier to drive than a 53. I just try to it notice the extra “wiggle” lol.

Do you like the swap of a bed for a window in the back?

Most of those day cab drivers work pretty long hours but you seem to have a nice schedule but I imagine you selected them partly because your pay is still pretty good.

Best wishes for a successful career there!

Thanks Harvey. As long as I sleep in my own bed I don’t mind the back window.

The only issue is that the pup trailers do not cover up enough of the tandem axle and from what I have been told it can cause rocks to fly up and hit the window causing it to break. Tonight I only did 248 miles total. So not a bad gig at all.

So far so good. Once I figured the right way to hook them so far they seem way easier to drive than a 53. I just try to it notice the extra “wiggle” lol.

They can definitely be easier in some regards. Just remember, anything you do with the wheel is magnified at the rear trailer. A sudden quick jerk can put the rear trailer on its side. Also, you can't really back up, so make sure you can always go forward.

Been here for about a week now and starting to get my routine down.

Something that I have found cool is that all of the shuttle drivers on my shift all work as a team. It’s not dog eat dog and every driver for himself. They have all offered me lots of advice , lessons learned, and given me the tools needed to be successful. Of of the trailers that we return to the warehouse always has pallets from the routes and return product that has to be offloaded with a pallet Jack. Most places would just let the driver who took that trailer unload it all. But everyone goes to the door and pitches in. No big rush to get a load and roll back to the drop yard.

Yard dogs are helpful and efficient but will let you know REAL Quick if you put a trailer in the wrong spot on the yard! Lol!

So far so good!

Been here for about a week now and starting to get my routine down.

Something that I have found cool is that all of the shuttle drivers on my shift all work as a team. It’s not dog eat dog and every driver for himself. They have all offered me lots of advice , lessons learned, and given me the tools needed to be successful. Of of the trailers that we return to the warehouse always has pallets from the routes and return product that has to be offloaded with a pallet Jack. Most places would just let the driver who took that trailer unload it all. But everyone goes to the door and pitches in. No big rush to get a load and roll back to the drop yard.

Yard dogs are helpful and efficient but will let you know REAL Quick if you put a trailer in the wrong spot on the yard! Lol!

So far so good!

Do they have you load trailers there too? I've heard of Sysco drivers loading their own trucks with forklifts. It's better than waiting on the warehouse ppl anyways. I worked in food service as a forklift operator for almost 8 years before getting a CDL.