A Day in the Life of A Clover Driver
My name is Paul Cavallo and I am proud to say I work for Clover Stornetta Farms. I wanted to write this entry today to give you an idea of what a day in the life of a Clover driver looks like. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy.
My route starts at 2:00 am, so I’m usually in bed the night before by 9:00 pm. Last night I was in bed by 8:30 pm; my daughter, 8yrs and two sons 9yrs & 11 yrs, tucked me in and said “Good night daddy…have a good day at work tomorrow.” I feel a sleep with a smile on my face…
My day starts with the sound of my alarm at 1:10 am; “Hit the snooze” is my first thought “More sleep!” my second, but I can’t…I’ve got my morning routine timed just right… Brush my teeth, wash my face, let the dogs out and feed them; make my lunch, let the dogs back in, give my wife a kiss on the cheek; out of the house by 1:30.
My commute time is around 20 min. This time is incredibly important to me. I use this time to reflect on the family/personal events from the day before… Football, baseball, cheerleading, board meeting, homework, walk with my wife, cuddling with my kids on the couch as we watch the discovery channel. What went right, what went wrong and more importantly what I can do better. Before I know it, I’m at work…
Walking in the yard, I see the headlights of other Clover trucks; I wave and smile to other drivers as they leave, heading out to start their first stop of the day. Down the hall, pass the coffee machine and up to the time clock and it says 1:58 am “Right on time!” I grab a cup of coffee and head to the drivers’ room… I’m not very graceful as, I try not to spill my coffee as I attempt to sip and walk.
I first look in my box; grabbing my paperwork and any special instructions, then to my hand held computer. Making sure the day’s download is complete; I sync my computer to a printer, make my load adjustments, grab a second cup of coffee and head out to my truck.
Once at my truck, I put my lunch box/cooler in the cab, start the engine and grab the Driver Vehicle Report (DVR). Inspecting my tractor/trailer checking lights, fluids, tires, frame, brakes, and lift gate, looking and listening for anything out of the norm. Once done with the DVR, I check my load, making sure all products are secure, all the while looking for leakage (product that could be leaking) and making any necessary adjustments. I do a final check of my product, making sure all is clean and ready for the shelf at your local stores. Pull down the trailer door, secure the lift gate, I check my watch…It reads 2:30 am…“So far so good!”
Get in my truck, I hear the “Click” as I secure my seatbelt, turn on my lights, check my mirrors, turn on the radio, release my air brakes; rev of the engine and with a slow but deliberate movement forward, I’m off to my first stop. “Did I forget something” I think, as I wave at another Clover driver walking into the yard on his way to the time clock…
