First Solo Adventures Of A Schneider Dedicated Walmart Driver

Could you go off duty for the stores that you have to walk around front for? Then go back on duty for the unload? That might save ya a couple hours.

Perhaps. I do now go off-duty when I spend the two hours or so picking up a backhaul of bottled water. I leave my truck and go take a break, eat a meal, and relax. They will call when my load is ready. I have no real responsibilities during that time as I cannot be on the dock. Some places even have a driver's rest area where you can wait.

Stores are tricky and I've never gotten a straight answer. I was told "manage your own clock" when I asked the dispatch center if I can go off-duty. I have gone off-duty if they tell me it will be 30 minutes or more before they can unload me. I'll use that time for personal shopping, walking to a nearby eatery, etc.

You have to watch your clock and your wagon.

Since I'm home until March 17th due to Covid exposure I'll add some more highlights. My son physically goes to high school twice a week. He was exposed to Covid from a classmate and he ended up getting it. I was on home time last Wednesday when he started feeling ill. I left for work Wednesday evening and took out deliveries Thursday and Friday.

At the end of Friday's run my wife called and said my son was ill and he tested positive for Covid. I immediately notified Schneider. I was told to skip my backhaul and proceed immediately back to the DC and drop my trailer. I did so, and packed my stuff for a trip home. As I was leaving the DC they were preparing to red flag my tractor and arrange for a professional cleaning crew to come in and disinfect.

After submitting a letter from the Illinois Department off Public Health, Schneider put me on a 20-day leave. I can't go back until March 17th. As of this time I have no symptoms so I haven't asked for a Covid test. Cool thing is I *might* get some sick pay to make up for the loss. Un-cool thing is I might get Old Bessie instead of the tractor I was driving. Oh well.

Geez Dean... hope this all works out for you.

Best wishes.

Geez Dean... hope this all works out for you.

Best wishes.

Thanks G-Town! I hope to get cleared Monday and get back to it Tuesday. If I get extended to 30 days off I'll have to retrain for a couple of days.

Boss said they are getting 75 '21 Cascadias this month, and I'd like to get one.

Did you ever get sick or test positive, Dean?

Did you ever get sick or test positive, Dean?

Hi PackRat,

I had symptoms, specifically a 90% or more loss of taste/smell and headaches. I tested negative on the nasal swab test. The Illinois Dept. of Public Health gave me a 10-day quarantine. Schneider extended that to 20 days per policy.

My wife is symptomatic now and took a test Saturday. If she tests positive I'll be quarantined another 20 days. If I do have to quarantine again I'm going to a family-owned hunting cabin.

My son recovered after showing symptoms for 6 days. He was ill but not enough to warrant medical intervention.

Posting so remember to check incase someone finds a solution.

Dean I wrote a blog article a couple of years back that specifically addressed many of the challenges I faced during the first year of running Walmart Dedicated.

Forgive me for hijacking your thread, however I believe the timing is right as you begin your solo journey on the Walmart account...

Here is the link: Freedom of Trucking

Good luck, be safe and remember to “watch your wagon”. It’s tight getting in an out of these stores. Drive the trailer...do it slowly and you will never fall prey to the dreaded “yellow pole dear” or clip a wall.

Looking forward to reading your next entries!

Everything is spot on. Honestly I won’t say anything else about Walmart dedicated as I’ve now been here a year and I’ve already expressed my thoughts on the account.

For first year driving you can exceed first year income on these Walmart accounts by hustling and being fast. I agree walking through doors and writing down which stores are slow to getting you in the door works wonders. If you want above average income prepare to be at 60-65 hours a week.