Problem At Lowes DC

So i delivered a load to the Lowe's DC in Statesville, NC today. Now I've been there many times, as well as several other DC's in NC and Indiana.

I check in and go drop my trailer where i am instructed, do a post trip, send my macro and then drive over to my empty. I back up, go make sure it's empty, kick the tires and hook up. I do my inspection and i need to do a 30 minute break. This Lowe's does not have an area outside the gate. Only a small section for bobtails with a sign that says absolutely no trailers. Anyway, I'm 15 min into a 30 amd a yard guy comes over and starts yelling at me, " you need to leave right now! You've been here over an hour, drivers have 15 min max in the yard and thats it. " i said, hey sorry i didn't know, i had to do a break or id be out of hours, also i haven't been here an hour i literally just dropped my load, hooked up and started a break. I'll be gone in like 5 minutes. He starts yelling again and says, leave right now or you will be removed by security. So i flag down another yard guy driving by, i didntget a word out and he tells me security is coming to remove me from the property, so i said okay cool and went back to my truck. By this time my break was complete so i pulled out and drove to the gate, the two yard trucks followed me very closely all the way to the gate then started some yelling and drove off.

My problem is this, first off, there is no mention of 15 min maximum on the gate pass or any signs. Ive also done a break there several times, no one said anything. Lastly, that's flat out absurd. You cannot legally drop and hook , post trip and pre trip your trailers, not to mention send macros and drive clear around other side of DC at 15 miles an hour, in 15 minutes. Fmcsa rules state trailer must be inspected post and new trailer must be inspected. The exit from the DC has signs all the way to the roadway saying no parking. Yes i could rush in drop my trailer grab my empty and take off but that is unprofessional and illegal. Fmcsa says a shipper , receiver, etc...cannot force you to do anything that prevents you from following equipment inspection rukes or HoS regs. In my opinion what Lowe's is doing os both wrong and illegal. Also, what kind of company, who depends on drivers, treats them like common criminals? Keep in mind, i never said a word to anyone, there was no incident, they literally came up to me screaming and threatening me.

I want to do something about this. It was unprofessional, insulting and they have created a situation where drivers are being forced to illegally drop grab and go in a time frame that is absurd.

Should i call corporate or should i contact FMCSA ?

First off this is not that uncommon. Some companies are terrible. It is there property and they can do as they wish. That is part of the reason fmcsa changed the rules to allow us to leave a customers property in off duty PC mode with the proper documentation on your log.

I would higly suggest you let your dispatcher know of the incident. You want them to hear it from you first, not the customer. In the future plan your 30 minute break before you get there. Problem solved.

First off this is not that uncommon. Some companies are terrible. It is there property and they can do as they wish. That is part of the reason fmcsa changed the rules to allow us to leave a customers property in off duty PC mode with the proper documentation on your log.

I would higly suggest you let your dispatcher know of the incident. You want them to hear it from you first, not the customer. In the future plan your 30 minute break before you get there. Problem solved.

100% agree. If they acted that way, chances are your company is going to recieve a phone call, get your side in while it counts. Don't be surprised if you are blocked from that particular property. Lowes can be kind of anal sometimes. I saw a driver cut through a crosswalk area marked DO NOT ENTER at a lowes in Pittston Pa. because he didnt want to have to drive all the way back around the building to exit. They blocked him from ever driving on that location after calling his company telling him why he was being blocked.

Should i call corporate or should i contact FMCSA ?

Neither. Don't you think that's being a little overdramatic?

Now you know their policy. Simply make note of it, and go about your day. Shippers, receivers, and even yard jockeys have their quirks. No need to sweat over it or bite the hand that feeds you. Just plan accordingly next time. Think big picture.

Your profile shows, "Experienced Driver". Is this the first customer you've encountered that was rude?

What do you want the FMCSA to do for you?

Next place you need extra time at for your break, open the hood, put on the 4 Ways, and tell them it needs a Parked Regeneration on the engine.

Be self sufficient!

If I was going to go some place I have not been and needed to take a 30 I would ask where to park to take a 30. I am sure what you say is probably the correct and legal way to do things. I personally would go on rest while unhooking and drive slowly to loaded unless a long way away and by the time I was hooked and ready to go my 30 would be used up. It sounds like you were really taking your time and the yard guys were having a bad day both on the same day to me.