Schneiders training program

Ok. here goes.. I went thru training at Schneider National which in my opinion was an excellent training program, at least for me it was.. i had never touched a truck and before i started driving, i was on management at walmart. I went thru schneiders training from Dec 03- march 04.. it was fast paced but thourough.. i will outline what i went thru.

1st: basic training
this lasted 11 days.. that is where they taught you basics like logging, the pre trip, shifting, coupling the tractor to the trailer, backing, and city driving.. it was VERY fast paced, and for some people it might have been TOO fast paced.. 11 days is not enough time for everyone to learn how to drive a truck.

2nd jumpstart
this lasted a week.. it was basically a continuation of the 1st 11 days but it was slower paced.. that is where they taught you how to use the qualcomm, rules about hazmat and more driving practice.

3rd: training engineer
this was the over the road part. you actually go out with another driver and he sits in the jumpseat while you drive.. i learned more from this part than any other aspect of my training.. this is where you are actually "doing the job" with a seasoned driver there to help you..

4th: Skills qualification test,
this is both a written and driving test administered by schneider.. it is similar to the CDL test.

5th: CDL week
if you dont have a CDL this is the week you practice for your CDL test.. depending on the state either SNI or the state administers the CDL test..
once you pass your cdl test.. they got more "meat in the seat"!!! Smile
the only followup is called safetrack and it is basically a 30 min ridealong to make sure you have not picked up any bad habits.

THATS IT!!

i admit, the program is a bit rushed but they are trying to get you in a truck as quick as safely possible.. i had a very positive experience but that is not the case for all.. the only downfall is you owe SNI a year of your life driving for them.. if you leave them before then you owe them $$$! of all the COMPANY schools, i believe SNI has the best... if you have any questions email me or pm me. . i am not trying to endorse Schneider, i am telling my experience.. believe me i DO have issues with my company and i have thought about quitting SEVERAL times!! hope this is helpful to any potential drivers. :chase:

[The Dave]

DD, thanks for the info on the SNI training stuff. I'm getting ready to go up to Harrisburg PA on 8/1 to start my weeks of training. Heading down to SC on the 5th week to do the Glass Module training as I'll be driving flatbed glass division. It's good to hear someone's real assessment of the experience, rather than just seeing the videos on SNI's website. I'm not new to driving commercial vehicles, but new to this kind of commercial vehicle. I drove a school bus for a while here in Richmond before deciding to switch to truck driving. I figured it would be better to have cargo that doesn't yell at you, call you names, or throw things at you :classic:

But again, thanks for your impressions, and I hope my experience is a good one as well.

Dave.

[ATCO]

How long is the Training Engineer, aka, ride along?

I know Warren from the Truckerdoc show is currently in that phase with England... I sounds like all the major carriers do this, which is good IMO...

Good to hear from you, and best of luck with 'pumpkin'....

[The Dave]

How long is the Training Engineer, aka, ride along?

I know Warren from the Truckerdoc show is currently in that phase with England... I sounds like all the major carriers do this, which is good IMO...

Good to hear from you, and best of luck with 'pumpkin'....

From what I'm told, and reading over at pumpkindriver.com the TE ridealong training is about two weeks, sometimes less, sometimes more. They said I would be out for 2 to 3 weeks during my TE phase because of the extra stuff to learn and practice like tarping, securing, flatbed stuff....I've also heard that more drivers would like a 50/50 mix of local and OTR TE training to practice more backin/city traffic/turns, rather than just strictly OTR straight. I agree with that, but am told that won't always happen, just depends on who they stick me with.

Dave.

[ATCO]

All looks good for me to hire on... I talk to a recruiter again next week to set up my time to get into 'boot camp'... Then start my 'tour of duty'...

I have to admit, this major of a life change is scaring me, I dunno if I can go through with it... I am conservative be nature, and this is certainly outside my comfort level... I am not saying I can't do it, but it'd be new for me... If some one came to me and tried talking me out of it, it'd probably happen :-\
I guess I need some re-ecouragment...

I dunno about being a pumkin head either... :wacko:

[The Dave]

All looks good for me to hire on... I talk to a recruiter again next week to set up my time to get into 'boot camp'... Then start my 'tour of duty'...

I have to admit, this major of a life change is scaring me, I dunno if I can go through with it... I am conservative be nature, and this is certainly outside my comfort level... I am not saying I can't do it, but it'd be new for me... If some one came to me and tried talking me out of it, it'd probably happen :-\
I guess I need some re-ecouragment...

I dunno about being a pumkin head either... :wacko:

Hey, I hear what you're saying...it's a little nerveracking for me too. I leave for PA tomorrow morning to start my "boot camp" on Monday....believe me, I had the same reservations too, but reading all I could about it, and being over at PD.com and getting answers from other SNI drivers has really helped to put it all in perspective....I think the month of training will go fast, and I'll feel much better once I've passed everything and I"m out on my own doing my job....good luck, don't let the stuff get ya down.

Dave.