General Mills Operations

Warehouses
Hours: General Mills Operations is a large facility with plenty of room for trucks at the docks. The check-in and check-out process uses a pneumatic tube system to send and receive paperwork, allowing drivers to stay in their truck the whole time. Drivers must not arrive before their appointment time. The process involves taking a canister from a clear box, filling out a small paper with the pickup number and placing a CDL inside, then sending it back. The office sends back a dock assignment and instruction sheet. Odd-numbered docks are on the East side of the building, and even-numbered ones are on the West side. While some find the system easy to follow and appreciate the no-contact instructions that prevent confusion, others describe the process as quite slow, long, and inefficient with unclear instructions. The time just to check in or out can be horrific, sometimes taking an hour even with few trucks ahead. This slow pace is often attributed to other drivers who do not understand the process. However, the staff is noted as being very helpful, patient, and willing to answer questions. Once checked in, the loading service itself is typically fast, taking about one hour from docking to pulling away, and there is an on-site scale.

1. Perris, California