How Was Your 2023?

Good to see you RD. That was a nice year you had!

Hey! Thanks. Walmart pf is something I'm considering in the not too distant future. Quick question: there are some walmart facilities about 7 miles away from where I live, in Pedricktown, NJ. I didnt even know they were there until I started picking up loads from there a year and a half ago. They are fairly new. Do you know if private fleet drivers work out of one of these places?

I seem to think I've been there, but I'm just not sure. WM has many satellite facilities scattered all over the place. Some are consolidation centers, some are dedicated to online sales, some are fulfillment centers (and I don't even know what the heck that means). I frequent these types of places with not even a clue as to what I'm picking up. Actually, I'm usually dropping off at these places and hooking an empty otw out.

To answer your question, those places aren't usually where pf drivers will be based. You're more likely to be based out of a regional DC. But I don't know what I don't know. Maybe there's something I'm not aware of.

For the most recent hiring info in your area, go to drive4walmart.com and navigate your way to the postings.

Once you come over to our side, you'll never go back. Hit me up.

RealDiehl,

I just read that you live in or near Pedricktown, NJ. I was born, raised and drove all thru NJ. I used to stop daily at Exit 7 truck stop off I-295 and was wondering what ever became of it? I know it closed years ago and was for sale but have never found any recent information. Thank you for any update.

RealDiehl,

I just read that you live in or near Pedricktown, NJ. I was born, raised and drove all thru NJ. I used to stop daily at Exit 7 truck stop off I-295 and was wondering what ever became of it? I know it closed years ago and was for sale but have never found any recent information. Thank you for any update.

I'm sorry. I wasn't even aware of a truck stop off of exit 7. As long as I can remember there have been truck stops at exit 2 (Flying J, Pilot, and an off brand one. There is another one at the Deepwater Diner close by. Off Exit 18 there used to be a 76 truck stop when I was growing up. It's a TA now.

Maybe they demolished the old truck stop to build the warehouses that are off of exit 7 now (including the Walmart ones).

How long ago were you there last?

For the most recent hiring info in your area, go to drive4walmart.com and navigate your way to the postings.

Once you come over to our side, you'll never go back. Hit me up

Thanks for the info. I'll have plenty of questions when I decide to make the switch. For now I will see how this new regional , mileage pay thing works out with Barr-Nunn. I like the company and my fleet manager.

RealDiehl,

I have been to all of the ones that you mentioned many times. The truck stop at exit 7 was on the top of the north bound ramp. It had a 2 story building, restaurant, fuel island and limited parking that was expanded before I closed down. I believe that there was a small regional airport very close by it. It was listed for sale a few years ago then removed. There also was a youtube video of a man exploring this truck stop after it was abandoned. Thanks for your help.

It's interesting to hear how great everyone is doing in these "troubling times". Just goes to show how a media narrative can take hold and obscure reality. This was my first (half) year in trucking. Went solo in May and made $40k, so probably woulda been on pace for about 75-80. And that's with a "starter company". Can't wait to hit my year experience and get a higher paying job. Loving the lifestyle. Been from Bellingham, WA to Miami, FL to San Diego, CA. Cheers to you all.

One thing that is different between Turtle and myself is that we drive for private fleets. Our companies are using trucks to distribute their own product to their retail stores. They're able to pay drivers more to attract the best candidates and in turn just pass those additional costs onto the consumer. With your typical transportation companies they're bidding against each other for the freight in turn knocking down the pay which limits them in how much they're able to compensate a driver. For me, private fleet companies is where I'll probably stay.

Keep in mind not every private fleet pays very well though. For instance there's a decent sized meat plant nearby. They're hiring class A drivers at $21/hr 45-50 hrs a week. That job you'll move loads between all company owned facilities, then taking finished products to DCs that buy it. So you'll be pulling reefers, hoppers and even hauling live hogs from the farm to their slaughter house.

I went solo in May. I've driven a total of around 83k miles (76k solo, 7k in training). In adding up my mileage pay, per diem and bonus, my earnings my rookie year for 9 months was $43,277 which annualized comes to $57,702 for rookie (calendar) year regional getting home Friday night and leaving Monday AM. I'm averaging 53-58 hour weeks on the clock.

Very happy with Veriha as they have kept me busy and gotten me home every weekend all but 3 in 9 months.

Looking forward to 2024. Happy New Year All!!

Overall, very good. It finished very strong with a strong start to the new year. My terminal has improved at pre-planning loads, so I haven't been sitting and waiting for my next load. It's enabled me to plan out my clock more strategically. I continue to be a top performer that my dispatcher knows will get loads delivered safely and on time.