Is Schneider a good company?

[hunter0302]

I'm about to take the plunge with Schneider. I've never driven before but the money is quite a bit better than I'm making now after 11 1/2 years with the same company. I'm curious as to what experienced folks think about Schneider and their training program? Do they do what they claim as far as pay and getting you home every couple of weeks. And how much of my pay will be spent on the road. I can live cheap but don't really know the ins and outs of what could come out of my pocket.

[truckermanitoba]

well they are no worse or better than any of the other componys.But remember the training is only mostly paid for if you work for them for a year. Read your contract very carefully before signing make sure you understand everything in it.Stay away from the leased truck plans they will try and get you to sign up to.Home time is easier if you live close to a terminal. If they do not give you aload going toward home and the end of the two weeks is comming up remind them.As far as road expences go,find out if truck has a fridge in it,if not buy a cooler that you can plug in to a 12 volt recepical.Buy a thing called alunch box heater plugs in to a 12 volt receptical, you can heat up pizza pops and cans of soup beans ect. what i do is take cold cereal and a loaf of bread and sanwich meat. keep in cooler.i eat one meal evry couple a days at a restauraunt or truck stop.Shower every day or for sure every two days they are free when you buy fuel. Stop and refill cooler at a store walmart grocery store sams club ect. anywere but a truck stop as you pay more there.

[Admin]

YEARS AGO I TOOK THE SCHNEIDER TRAINING, AND IT WAS GOOD . I ONLY DROVE 5 WEEKS AFTER THAT. I HAD TO QUIT BECAUSE OF AN INJURY.
THE PEOPLE ARE VERY FRIENDLY IN SCHNEIDER.

[Capt._Chaos]

Hunter, how close do you live to West Memphis, AR?

As you probably know, Schneider has a terminal in West Memphis, and they do have a lot of dedicated accounts that run out of there. If you live close to there, then getting home should not be a problem.

Truckermanitoba made some good points about eating on the road without spending a bunch of money. Keep in mind that if you have a habit of stopping for things at convenience stores instead of making a list and going to a grocery store once a week, you can & will go broke in a hurry, as the truck stops make a killing off of drivers who mismanage their buying habits.

In regards to Schneider itself, I worked for them in the mid-1990s, but went to work for them as an experienced driver. From what I could tell, their training is VERY fast-paced, and they can & will send you home if you can't learn fast & fall behind.

Most of their better trainers seem to be pretty good with their students. As a driver, they are very good about getting you home, especially when a family emergency arises. I do remember I was headed home for my Mother to have surgery when my truck had mechanical problems in Houston, and after I left that truck in the Houston yard to be worked on, they found an owner-operator who was headed towards San Antonio for me to ride home with.

[hunter0302]

Thanks for the advice ya'll. I live in North Little Rock so I'm only a couple of hours from W. Memphis. I've been going over this decision for a while and wanted the advice of some experienced drivers. I sure appreciate the help.

[ATCO]

I don't know how this effects the discussion about being hired out of AR... But I talked to a recruiter today about the Western Regional fleet, which is one I'm looking at... I was told for this, there was no penalty for quiting before a year after you complete their training... I was told that they'd like us to stay for a year (I thought to myself, wishing and getting can sometimes be two defferent things... But alas I know I need the experience)....

Just wish'd to point that out, their polocies seem to be changing in order to keep bringing in new drivers...

[DrivingZiggy]

I'm SURE there will be a contract requiring that if you don't stay a predetermined amount of time that you'll have to pay them back the money they've spent on your schooling.

JB Hunt has a terminal in North Little Rock. Have you checked into them? They might even be able to get you home. I began my career with them when they actually had their own school. Made my year and moved on.

They may even pay (then contract you) if you go to that community college in Crowley's Ridge.

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:
ANY QUESITONS?? PLEASE PM ME AND ILL BE GLAD TO HELP..