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Paper Mill Tips and Tricks and Problems

Discussion in 'Schneider' started by Wheelwell, Mar 15, 2014.

  1. Mar 15, 2014 #1
    Wheelwell

    Wheelwell Light Load Member

    140
    129
    Apr 22, 2012
    Sheridan
    0
    Hi, someone mentioned in one of the threads how big of a pain paper mills can be.

    One thing that makes them easier is having been there, but for the driver who hasn't been there before they can be a major confusion, source of headache and heartache, and leave the driver walking away wishing he was somewhere else.

    I'm starting this thread to allow some inside information about these places to be here for others. I know Schneider goes into a lot of them so I'm putting it in the Schneider area.

    • One thing about Paper Mills and plants in general, you need a safety vest, and usually steel toed boots and hardhat and safety glasses.
    • Also, obtain a map of the facility (if possible) with the description (which may be directions given to you so fast by a security guard, that you immediately get lost)
    • Watch for signs for traffic flow, areas of the plant, warnings not to enter.
    • Watch for railroads that are active. Sometimes these are internal sometimes outside of the plant. But they sometimes have their own railroad system with their own engines.
    • If sharing a scale with Pulp Trucks, their is usually an order to the delay at the scale. Sometimes trucks are waiting a ways away from it to get on it, with a line up. Don't cut to the head of the line, or you'll have every driver their hating on you immediately.
    • Usually equipment has a right of way.
    • Paper mills often have multiple CB channels for different departments, such as Shipping, Log Yard, General Trucker communication, etc. Watch for these signs, and if you are going in an area where you aren't sure you are supposed to be, call out and ask for help on the CB. Good idea to have a CB.

    Well, thats all I can think of for now, I'm hoping people will put tips about particular paper mills on here, so that there is a resource for other drivers. The good, the bad, and the Ugly.

    Happy Trucking!
     
    Wheelwell, Mar 15, 2014
    Wheelwell, Mar 15, 2014
    #1
    EggoTrucker, mickeyrat, dieselfuelonly and 3 others Thank this.
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  3. Mar 15, 2014 #2
    mickeyrat

    mickeyrat Road Train Member

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    on my 30 min break
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    Awesome!!! Will be a help to drivers for sure.
     
    mickeyrat, Mar 15, 2014
    mickeyrat, Mar 15, 2014
    #2
    Wheelwell Thanks this.
  4. Mar 15, 2014 #3
    dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

    2,475
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    Nov 12, 2012
    Chapel Hill, NC
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    Thanks for these! Also one thing I've found if you get confused/lost, ask one of the chip truck drivers. Since many of them are running to and from all day long, they know the place well and can direct you to the right spot. I still owe a big thanks to a chip truck driver who pointed me towards the correct entrance lane at the International Paper mill in (I think it was) Georgetown, SC. You show up to about 7 different lanes, 2 scales, and NO clue where to go.
     
    dieselfuelonly, Mar 15, 2014
    dieselfuelonly, Mar 15, 2014
    #3
    Wheelwell Thanks this.
  5. Mar 15, 2014 #4
    Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    10,935
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    Sep 23, 2007
    Statesville, NC
    0
    I picked up a few paper mills also..

    The insides of the trailer should be clean. IF any moisture they may reject your trailer.

    Slip sheets should be under the rolls.
     
    Mark Kling, Mar 15, 2014
    Mark Kling, Mar 15, 2014
    #4
    Wheelwell Thanks this.
  7. Mar 15, 2014 #5
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
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    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
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    Almost every papermill has their unique set of rules but yes they all have strict rules, signs, scales and CB communication. Pay close attention when entering a facility.

    The only thing I can add is most are strict about a spotless trailer and no nails in the floor. One nail can ruin a roll. So don't go in with a trashed trailer thinking you can slip by. You will be cleaning it or you will get feedback.

    For those other drivers that go in with a reefer they are bad about moisture from washouts and even condensation from rainy humid weather. One trick I learned is to run your reefer about 5* lower than the outside temperature for about 30 minutes- 1 hour. Winter time it usually isn't an issue, more spring and summer. This will pull out any moisture and solve your problem. Just think of a glass of ice water, the warm side attracts moisture while the unit pulls the humidity out of the inside. Some think to warm the trailer up. No, that's a temp fix and as soon as you shut it off the cool down will draw moisture.
     
    CondoCruiser, Mar 15, 2014
    CondoCruiser, Mar 15, 2014
    #5
    mclass555, Dinomite and Wheelwell Thank this.
  8. Mar 15, 2014 #6
    rickybobby

    rickybobby Road Train Member

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    Jul 10, 2010
    greensboro, nc
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    Paper mills sucks and the people who work there... Just my opinion. You can have a vest, hard hat , steel toe boots, and they still treat you like crap!
     
    rickybobby, Mar 15, 2014
    rickybobby, Mar 15, 2014
    #6
  9. Mar 15, 2014 #7
    Wheelwell

    Wheelwell Light Load Member

    140
    129
    Apr 22, 2012
    Sheridan
    0
    Thats often true. But its also true at a lot of other shippers as well. The more you are there and seen, often the better it goes, unless you return the bad attitude, you really won't get far with that.
     
    Wheelwell, Mar 15, 2014
    Wheelwell, Mar 15, 2014
    #7
    mclass555 Thanks this.
  10. Mar 21, 2014 #8
    Solitude Farm

    Solitude Farm Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Feb 24, 2014
    Va
    0
    Does the Georgia Pacific dedicated account, count as a paper mill? How does this dedicated GP acct. operate? Does it have multi stop loads? Any help would be great!
     
    Solitude Farm, Mar 21, 2014
    Solitude Farm, Mar 21, 2014
    #8
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