Can someone drop me a little knowledge.

Crosseye · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 08:02 PM

I was just wondering if some of you drivers that have experience with hauling reefers could help me. I have always driven either dry box or tanker and after being laid off for nearly 2 months I have an offer to pull a reefer. Now what I am looking for is to know what is it like dealing with the grocery warehouses on a regular basis. Thrpugh the years I have made several deliveries there but not all were pleasant (for lack of a better word at this time). Is it more hassle than what it's worth or what is the real skinny on it? Thanks.

grocery thrower · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crosseye

I was just wondering if some of you drivers that have experience with hauling reefers could help me. I have always driven either dry box or tanker and after being laid off for nearly 2 months I have an offer to pull a reefer. Now what I am looking for is to know what is it like dealing with the grocery warehouses on a regular basis. Thrpugh the years I have made several deliveries there but not all were pleasant (for lack of a better word at this time). Is it more hassle than what it's worth or what is the real skinny on it? Thanks.

I pull for PFG local, but I know a little about the inner workings of our warehouse in Little Rock, it sucks..reefer is a piece of cake, just hope the unit keeps running..US Foods sucks, Sysco sucks, hire a lumper and forget about it, most companys pay for it. Personally I would not want to go over the road pulling a reefer, but then again I hate games, problems, whatever, I think thats what most of your shippers and recievers will play with you!!

ranger309 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 10:54 PM

Grocery warehouses are or can be a real b I t c h unless you deliver to them often and make some friends there. I used to run canned and bottled foods to Sysco and Albertsons when I was working P&D. It was a pain in the you know where until I got to know the recievers and the guards over at the shack. After that it wasn't too bad at all. I saved the freight company lots of money and I wasnt in a big rush to catch up on my pickups and deliveries Hell I actually had time for a lunch break. A bit too old for P&D now, but it was the best kind of local trucking there is, IMO. You never get bored that's for sure.

Crosseye · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 05:53 PM

Thanx, grocery thrower and ranger309. I have several offers right now and trying to decide which is best choice for the long term.

grocery thrower · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crosseye

Thanx, grocery thrower and ranger309. I have several offers right now and trying to decide which is best choice for the long term.

You are very welcome Crosseye, very best of luck to you in picking the right fit for you and yours!!

medic92 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 10:42 PM

I don't really have any more problems with grocery warehouses than I did with regular warehouses. Sometimes we get crappy attitudes from lumpers and union shops because we break down our own loads but it's not that bad.

The biggest thing that bothers me is the early morning appointments. Sometimes it gets old having to be up at 3 or 4 in the morning!