Nealeys Foods-Fulton Market-Chicago?

Nealy's does the best they can to help drivers. They have a staging lot a few blocks away (but it's locked at night, call before entering the city if you're arriving the night before) and when it's your turn, they call you. You have to block an intersection diagonally to get into their dock, but they help guide you.

As for the market area itself, it is no place for a rookie. You also have to be a little street smart and do not even acknowledge the homeless guys who try to "help" you get around and then ask for money because they "helped" you.

I've had them jump onto my steps while the truck was moving and one time I even had to stop and quickly open my door to knock one of them off the side of the truck because he wouldn't leave me alone.

Sometimes the bums will ask you to hire them as a lumper. Don't fall for this either. (I don't know if anyone ever has) Nealy's and Fulton Market Cold Storage both unload your product themselves. No need for lumpers.

Turning corners can be tricky with cars and box trucks parked everywhere, even right up to the corners. Make sure you get the proper directions. Stay off of Lake Street.

Do not accept a load that requires you to PICK UP a load at Fulton Cold Storage unless you're in a day cab pulling a pup trailer. (DELIVERING isn't a problem there, different set of docks.)

 

Nealy's ain't that bad. I been to much worse. Just don't let the guys jump on your truck going in and once your in the gravel lot you are safe. I never seen the lot locked? It looks like alot of confusion, but they do a decent job getting you out of there in the morning.

The guys you see on the corner are just looking to make a buck. They ain't there to rob you. My first time in about 3am, One guy jumps on my truck and asks where I'm going. He's like I'll show you. I had a GPS but I was tired and played his game. I gave him one heck of a ride, lol.
He helped me back to a wall with my doors closed because I had about $150,000 on there. He was waving me back even though I didn't need his help.

He jumps back on the truck and says that'll be $80. $80? WTF! yeah $40 in and $40 out. I told him I have a GPS and didn't need you. He went on and on. I gave him $10 because I'm a sucker.

Anyways, I keep my wallet on the corner of the dash. It helps me keep track of it usually. The guy jumps off my truck and disappears around the corner.
I then realize my wallet was gone? MFer.... I searched the truck frantically, looked everywhere. I then thought I just been clipped because he was hanging on the door. I had over $600 in it but I was more concerned about my CDL.

I called 911 and it wasn't 2 minutes and two cops come screaching in. Wow! I was impressed by the service. The cop told me they been trying to run them guys off.
He told me to come to the car and he would write up a report while the other cop sped off looking for that guy.

I got out of the truck and by the time I hit the bottom step, there was my wallet glowing under the seat, lol. I was so embarrassed. All the hoopla and being tired I forgot I threw it under the seat. The cops were pretty cool. But those guys never bothered me the rest of the night.

The next morning is how I found out about the lot below.

The next time in, I seen the same guys and waved them off and gassed on it. They got the message. They prey on new guys. Ever since then it's a piece of cake once you learn the nealey way.

Here's a pic from the lot with the Sears Tower in the background.

 

LMAO!!!

I probably would have done the exact same thing you did, though.

One time I spotted another driver from my company in a Flying J lot and I was standing on his Volvo steps talking to him, and I noticed he had his wallet stuck between the door handle and the inside of the door. It was right there, front and center. I told him that's a BAD place to keep his wallet. A Fulton market bum could snatch it & run, or more likely it can fall out somewhere when you're getting in and out of the truck.

My wallet is usually somewhere on/in the dash in the center, so if it falls to the floor, it's not right by the doors and it's never within reach from the outside of the cab. Not in view either.

 

Yeah, 387's don't have many covey holes. My thyroid quit working about 6 months earlier and I went through a stage about a year where I was real forgetful on little stuff like keeping up with my wallet and keys. So I got use to keeping it in my sight. That was one of them moments, lol.

 

That's ok. Every time I wear a shirt with a pocket on the chest, my cigarettes always end up there and I'll find myself looking all over the place for them. I don't usually wear those types of shirts.

And to think; it wasn't that long ago I was making fun of my dad for holding the TV remote up to his ear when the phone rings.

 

Me and my 12 yr old son made our first delivery there this week. OMG...... What an experience..... for both me and my son.....

 

First time here at Nealey's. GPS had me going some crazy route through downtown Chicago. We have routing on the Qualcomm now and are supposed to use it especially here in Chi. Exit 51b/ Randolph street works fine. My truck GPS gave me a warning about not being a truck route. Fulton was a cluster @#$% with 3 big trucks getting loaded side by side and forklifts going every witch way. Couple of guys tried to "guide" me around but was able to do without there services. Check in at the door next to the docks off of Fulton/Sangamon. Taking a right on Sangamon and then another right then left will get you to the lot to park. That last turn has you going the wrong way of a one way street! I asked another driver about taking Lake St to the highway as this is how my company routing is telling me. Bad idea he said. One on their trucks has done it and snagged the bolts hanging down off the beams and tore up the trailer pretty bad. He said Carpenter to Madison is the way to go. Lots of trucks waiting here and doesn't seem like appointment time matters much. Probably unloading by what they need right now. Haven't backed in yet but can't wait to have more fun!