Sysco- Douglas, GA, $100k?

I realize this doesn't really answer your questions -- but it will help to look at Sysco this way:

It's some really good money -- but it's a good gig only if you are in REAL-LY GOOD SHAPE PHYSICALLY.

You will spend A LOT of time loading and unloading -- in summertime heat, and wintertime cold (and all in between).

That fuel hauling job you were asking about earlier is actually much easier work -- and about the same pay.

If neither of those seems to be quite your speed, you might like this one a bit better (in case you missed it):

FSC -- OTR regional driver -- 6 months experience -- Valdosta, GA

That one would give you some actual OTR experience -- and make you more attractive to other carriers, later (assuming you kept a good safety record, of course).

-- L

 

Hang in there and go to work for Walmart

 

Suggestion: if you have only 4 months experience under your belt thus far -- only Sysco would hire you on.

Pilot/Flying J would want considerably more seat time than that. To say nothing of your competition for that job.

I'll suggest a choice...with 2 options:

A) Keep driving where you are now....but wait until October to give Sysco an application. If they hire you -- you won't be starting delivieries in the south Ga summer heat and humidity. October delivery weather for starting food delivery will be MUCH BETTER; -- OR --

B) Keep driving where you are now until you get about 7 months seat time -- then put in for a position with Marten Transport. It won't be home daily -- but you'll get some real zing added to your driving resume (and your pay should go up nicely, too). After you've driven with Marten for a while, put in an app with ADM in Valdosta; then you're back home daily, and driving for a private fleet.

-- L

 

Yes I’ve worked for Us Foods and Mclane before 100k is pretty much normal. Had a buddy work for them also and my current job has a lot of former Sysco guys. There are alot of people that that make a career out of food service not the easiest but it’s possible. My old co worker from Mclane who trained me retired in his early 60’s. He was full grey haired guy but man even before he retired he could unload faster than most younger drivers could. When we worked in town cause we had 48” trailers to unload local if his helper was slowing him down he’d call dispatch tell them to come pick him up and he’ll do it on his own. It was also more money to do it alone. A lot of these helpers were young people too. Dude could move.

It’s a physical job. If you are looking to not just sit behind the wheel and get a workout then it’s for you. But if you’re looking for a bump docks pallet Jack only then this isn’t for you.

It is a mostly home daily. Sysco is the biggest Foodservice gig in the Foodservice industry and its union. Can’t say it’s not a cluster because most Foodservice jobs have their issues. Pretty much it comes down to your mentality about the job. If you’re negative it won’t work cause there is alot of challenges to the these jobs. But if you’re positive it can workout. It gets easier with more reps and time. Once you know it and how to do everything and you get a route it’s almost easy.

I’ve worked OTR, LTL, Foodservice. Foodservice drivers and people were probably the most friendliest. I’ve seen more miserable drivers in Linehaul. Then compared to Foodservice and Foodservice guys had to unload their trailers vs Linehaul guy just drive. I’ve been to two different LTL’s also.

I found this video seemed pretty accurate.

 

If you’re determined to throw groceries and make $100K, your best bet is DOT Foods. You bump the dock and start unloading the truck. A lot of their pallets are already separated, by the pickers. It could be 4 pallets stacked, separated, and shrink wrapped in a stack. Others you may have to break down the whole thing. At least you wouldn’t be running ramps, dealing with crappy people, cars cutting in front of you in the drive-thru, greasy restaurants, weather, and every other negative of food service. And, most CDS drivers service the same customers and have the same schedule, every week. You need to preserve your health. Any OG doing it is an anomaly; not the norm. With DOT, when you get old or tire of throwing, you can become a no-touch driver and simply run wherever. They have great benefits, too. However, if you’re making it OK doing what you’re currently doing, you need a year under your belt, before moving on. Having experience opens a lot of doors.

 

An EXTREMELY good post -- thanx!!!

-- L