Road Test For Potential Job

Sounds awesome. ... congrats and good luck

Had my road test and interview at 3pm yesterday. Received a phone call this morning offering me a position! I just need to pass a DOT Physical and drug screen. I was upfront about having just got a CPAP machine yesterday morning in case receiving a 3 month card until im compliant would cause any problems and she said as long as i have a valid medical card it doesnt matter the duration. I also need to pass a lift test which shouldnt be a problem given the physicality of the job im currently doing. My training period will be dependent on me. Most drivers get about a week of training to learn the process at the store but they're willing to train me until both i and my trainer feel confident in my ability up to 3 weeks. The most physical thing they do is occasionally downstack a layer off the pallet if the cooler at the store is short. Definitely have to watch what i eat so i dont gain all the weight back that i lost. WOOHOO!

Awesome! Congratulations!

Congrats Rob T.

Congratulations Rob!

Best wishes for success on the new gig!

WOOT! Congratulations!!!

Thanks everyone im excited! I'll be dispatched out of Ankeny (Des Moines) to service these stores. 2 or 3 stores typically per truck and try to make it back every day. In my interview they said if i feel unsafe leaving due to weather start time can be bumped back and if they deem it unsafe they'll bump all loads headed that way back to 6am to allow the DOT time to clear the roads and have daylight shortly after departure while still avoiding rush hour. The only downside is they bid their routes daily based on seniority. Being one of the lowest ill get stuck going to the stops most drivers dislike. I'll know where im going by 4pm and be dispatched anytime between 10pm that night and 10am the following morning. 85-90% of the loads leave between midnight and 2am to try to get driver in and out of the major citys and headed back to the terminal before rush hour hits.

From what they've told me this job sounds like the perfect fit for me. I'll be able to make an excellent wage while still getting to see my family nearly daily and experience the freedom out on the interstate. The waiting to do my physical/drug test wednesday is killing me. I'll likely start after the new year so i can give my current employer notice although ive already informed them i have another offer on the table and I'd provide a written notice when i have a start date set to allow them time to find a replacement. With everything they've done for me its the least i can do.

Sounds like a great gig Rob. Seems somewhat similar to what aI do on Walmart. The last year of your career was the perfect scenario leading up to this.

Best wishes for success. Safe travels!

Hy-Vee is a great company to drive for. I like their DCs which are typically very nice with driver lounges, showers, etc. The downside is, as an outside driver, we need all that, because you all get preference, and we NEED that stuff because we sit there forever lol. Hy-Vee is a fantastic company to work for, so I've been told by their drivers.

Hy-Vee is a great company to drive for. I like their DCs which are typically very nice with driver lounges, showers, etc. The downside is, as an outside driver, we need all that, because you all get preference, and we NEED that stuff because we sit there forever lol. Hy-Vee is a fantastic company to work for, so I've been told by their drivers.

The job is actually for PDI (Perishable Distributors of Iowa), which is a Hyvee owned company. I'll be hauling the cooler and freezer items to the stores, while the dry product is run from a seperate warehouse in Chariton Iowa. Those are the red trucks marked Hyvee in the doors. Our trucks are black with PDI on the doors but still pull the trailers marked Hyvee and the delicious crab legs on them. The reason for such a high number of drivers is theyre in the process of opening a floral warehouse next to PDI main warehouse. From how it sounded in my interview they also pay more when we pick up a backhaul for the shipper to get us in and out as it seems many routes will be pushing the HOS limit. There are many drivers that have been there over 30 years. Honestly it makes me quite happy to hear some companies treat the OTR drivers well. All too often we hear how shippers/receivers treat the drivers like trash. If only more people would realize we all need each other and if we can all work together and with respect everything will go that much smoother.

I've seen plenty of PDI drivers in Chariton too. Yep you all get preference too because your schedules are so tight. We really don't mind because they're all very nice. I don't get over that way very often simply because of where I live, but many West Side trucks do. Pepsi/Quaker/Gatorade is one of our top customers so we haul there stuff to the DCs.