Ask a Feeder Driver, Feeder Driver FAQ

[barnyard]

Its on white paper with names of drivers, their runs and required start times .

I have seen that last.
Spoiler alert: it will be the same in 2 more years.

 

[barnyard]

Just as the nurse said the number someone dropped something. I said, "I think you said 17, but not sure because of the noise."
She said that was fine.

 

[Indecisi0n]

Just as the nurse said the number someone dropped something. I said, "I think you said 17, but not sure because of the noise."
She said that was fine.

The guy during my exam said repeat after me. So I quickly said "after me". He paused and said " OK, were done".

 

[Feeder665]

What does work schedule look like year 1 and 2 in feeders?

WAD. Work as directed. Fill in on sick calls and vacation coverage. All over the spectrum.

 

[barnyard]

WAD. Work as directed. Fill in on sick calls and vacation coverage. All over the spectrum.

If it is a large hub, I would imagine that the schedule is not the issue for newer guys, it is vacation picks.
I had heard a couple of years ago that a person needed at least 20 years to get a summer vacation.
This year, I could have had all 6 of mine during the summer, I didn't, but I did take 3 weeks in a row and I really, really, really like taking vacation in 2 week blocks.

 

[Feeder665]

If it is a large hub, I would imagine that the schedule is not the issue for newer guys, it is vacation picks.
I had heard a couple of years ago that a person needed at least 20 years to get a summer vacation.
This year, I could have had all 6 of mine during the summer, I didn't, but I did take 3 weeks in a row and I really, really, really like taking vacation in 2 week blocks.

Yeah I’m the bottoms relief, but I still got two weeks in July that I wanted. It was nice having two weeks off back to back. However, we only have 6 feeder jobs in our building

 

[barnyard]

However, we only have 6 feeder jobs in our building

We have 4 in my building and we all bid with package. Cover guys (like me) also bid vacations with package, but if we are needed to cover feeders, that week is scratched off. When I bid this year, I had 3 weeks in a row off, I still had 3 in a row, but it started a week later then I bid. My vacation was so awesome, I felt like I was rewarded for some spectacular thing that I did.

 

[Johney]

Wut?!?!?!
I read the book in the DOT office and took the test when I was done. All told, less than 1 hour.

Wow you're special.

 

[trickpony1]

I read the book in the DOT office and took the test when I was done. All told, less than 1 hour.

Did you score 100%?

 

[Siveriano]

Then don’t fail the test.

giving the circumstances I did my best just like I do every day at work

 

[Rick Ross]

I really, really, really like taking vacation in 2 week blocks.

I took back-to-back weeks for the first time this year and will be doing it from now on. Two weeks off felt like a month!

 

[Indecisi0n]

If I took two weeks in a row I would never come back .

 

[Jones]

I took back-to-back weeks for the first time this year and will be doing it from now on. Two weeks off felt like a month!

I do it every year, three 2 week blocks. Sometimes I'll bid my sick week and make one of them a 3 week block. One week just isn't enough time to really relax.

 

[Johney]

Any more than 1 week off in a row and it takes me too many days to adjust back to nights.

 

[roofus backster]

We have 4 in my building and we all bid with package. Cover guys (like me) also bid vacations with package, but if we are needed to cover feeders, that week is scratched off. When I bid this year, I had 3 weeks in a row off, I still had 3 in a row, but it started a week later then I bid. My vacation was so awesome, I felt like I was rewarded for some spectacular thing that I did.

I'm mid 400's @ my hub, been there a month now, guy I know , who has been here 2 wks. Longer than me , just got a run bid next week, there pulling bout ruffly 10 runs off rail a week it seems!

 

[brostalss]

They still did the last time I went. It was a joke. Guy whispered a number and you just had to repeat it.

We went into this box almost like a 1960’s Space capsule. The headphones sucked. If you took a breath you couldn’t hear the tone. I would just push then button every few seconds.

 

[brostalss]

What does work schedule look like year 1 and 2 in feeders?

Varies week to week.

 

[over9five]

We went into this box almost like a 1960’s Space capsule. The headphones sucked. If you took a breath you couldn’t hear the tone. I would just push then button every few seconds.

Here we get the "forced whisper" test like @Yeet mentioned.

 

[DothetruckshaveAC?]

A question for the package guys who made their way over to feeders. How long was your training? Recently went through and it was one week. I've heard in some areas you're given 2 weeks?

 

[govols019]

You either sink or swim.