I have over 10 years experience as an insurance adjuster in the Northeast and a bachelor degree from the University of Pittsburgh but after spending 8 long, tiring, grueling months in New Orleans, post hurricane Katrina, myself and 122 other adjusters from my company forwarded our 2 week notice and set sail for better opportunities. I had no truck driving experience, no one in my family was ever a driver but the open road was calling. I did very little research on any training companies but I spoke with all the recruiters. By far the most professional were from Schneider. They definitely were more realistic sounding than the usual suspects, Swift, Werner, etc. The clearly advised how my contract for training would work and if I didn't complete a year of service I would be charged for full amount of training. They advised I would average between 1,800-2,200 miles a week and benefits after 90 consecutive days. Having no trucking industry experience I was impressed with my recruiter and her realistic view of driving so I picked Schneider. The application process was smooth and flawless and within 3 days of submission I was scheduled for school in Carlisle, PA. I was told I would spend 14 consecutive days and would be staying in a room with another driver or, for an extra $20.00/night I could have a room of my own. I picked the later, $20.00/night wasn't bad and it was a Ramada Limited. Closing in on my start date I was wondering if I made the correct decision. Listen, I have to be honest, my fear was a room of "stereotypical" truck drivers. I arrived at the hotel on a Sunday night and checked into my room. Nice accommodations and a welcome packet, so far so good. The next morning I awoke, ate breakfast at the hotel and spoke with all the new drivers who were very friendly and apprehensive as I was. The "pumpkin" bus drove us to the training center and we assembled into a classroom. Looking around I was shocked at what a mix of people we had. Young, 23 year old drivers, several retired individuals, quite a bit of x-military and everyone else in between. After 2 weeks of training, which I can describe as good, I had made several friends. I didn't encounter 1, not 1, stereotypical driver, not one. Most of the people in our class I speak with on a regular basis. Obviously Schneider has a higher standard for its employees and it was reflected in that class.

Next phase of driving school was the Training Engineer. I was assigned a driver who lived 12 miles from my home. He called me on Saturday, gave me some instructions and advised I need to meet him at 06:00 on Monday morning. I arrived, parked my car and hit the truck. Just to make a long story short, he was, by far, the most knowledgeable and professional trainer I have ever come across. I can only hope all of Schneider TE's are that well versed. We showered every day, no exceptions. He was clean, neat and very well organized and knew how to instruct a student on the fundamentals of driving. He was also very patient, had pride in his job and his truck. My hats off to that TE.

Finally, training over I received my CDL and was assigned a truck. Here is where it gets interesting. If you are assigned an experienced Schneider dispatcher, you will have very little complaints. They understand driving, drivers and the pressures of the "road." If you are assigned a dispatcher recruited out of college or with no previous dispatching experience clearly, problems will arise. This is the area Schneider has problems and here is where most drivers have bad experiences. It's either feast or famine with these people. I have been on both sides, I had a dispatcher with 13 years experience, he was professional and he knew how to keep you going. He then retired and I received a new dispatcher who had no experience and I sat and sat and sat but he is getting much better.

With these large companies you either have a great experience or a horrible one, it seems there is nothing in between. If your thinking of Schneider my recommendation is "take a chance" and give it ample time.

I have been reading the posts on this website for sometime. I can tell you that no industry is perfect. I came from a large insurance company who took every opportunity keep my salary as low as possible and the amount of work overwhelming. In such a large environment and with our company always touting how much profit they turn, 2.2 billion (yes, that's billion with a B) in 2005, but how they could never raise our salaries more than 2%. In all those years I never received more than a 3% raise, the hours were long and you had to be prepared to travel to a catastrophe loss within 24 hours. I can say, with much certainty, I will never return to insurance. Every opportunity has its up's and down's. So far, the partnership between Schneider and myself has been a good one and I hope it remains that way for a long, long time. Take Care and Be Safe!!!

Thank you!!

and

Welcome

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

Hi Muskywin... thanks for this post. I'm in the process of trying to decide who to go with for training, and from what several people have said here, Schneider seems to be a good one.

A couple of questions...

How has this worked out? How are your miles? Has the pay been decent?

I checked out their website and saw their pay scales... does the pay pretty much stick to that?

Did you pay just the $20/night over what they pay, or do you have to pay the whole (discounted for Schneider) rate yourself?

Thanks and have a great day

Hey Cadet Trucker:

I will try to answer your questions......

Yes, it has worked out. The miles recruiter advised, in the end, were a little low. I averaged approximately 2,400 per week for the year.

The pay was o.k for the 1st year, after the first year and several raises it got much better and yes, they do stick with the payscales but bonuses do add quite a bit.

The hotel I stayed at for training charged my $19.66 per day for my own room.

Speaking with others from my class I can advise that, if you accept the position, you will either have a great experience or a lousy one. Some of my fellow classmates are thrilled with the position and others just bemoan every second. Personally, I think it comes down to dispatcher, if you are assigned an experienced one you will have little problems. If you get a brand new one out of college it will be a much less enjoyable experience.

The training is intense but the majority of it is either behind the wheel or in the simulator. The first three days of classroom work is long. You can withdraw from the class before the end of the third day with no payment penalty. You will get a presentation on the first day of class outlining the contract you are about to sign, PAY ATTENTION, it is very IMPORTANT. In our class only 1 dropped out and another was asked to leave because of poor driving ability. I had no problems with training, just arrive on time which shouldn't be a problem because they provide transportation. The only complaint I had with training was the lunch provided, not the best, basic and tasteless. Much like military food. If you can afford it purchase lunch directly from the cafeteria, much better food and fresher tasting.

The first year for me at least, was event filled. The first time driving in snow is always a treat and backing is always a concern. It took me just about 8 months to get comfortable driving the truck and honing my backing skills. I can best describe the first year as an adventure.

I hope this helps, any other questions don't hesitate to ask or send a private email. Take Care and Good Luck.

Well just heard today that I will be starting with Schneiders Carlise at the end of the week for training. This has been a great sight for all the info about the company you guys have been able to post and I am happy with my selection.

Can anyone tell me what the trucks are like? How old was the first one you got etc:

What has been a good run and what sucked? Just keep the posts comming.

Many Thanks.

Well Most of their trucks are Freightliner Centuries. They are holding off on buying anything new, although from what I last heard, they were going to start buying this summer or in the fall. Not sure what the real story is. However, I have seen a small number of Cascadias and just last week saw a prostar? Was orange with all the Schneider decals so I dont think it was an O/O.

Anywho, I got mine with 180K ish miles on it. Have so far added 70k since November. Its an 06. Thankfully for me, the truck was waiting for me in my town and the other driver who was doing my route had his own truck but it was down for repairs for a few days...so he hopped in this one and cleaned it out...like detail clean, lol.

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associate production coordinating directorial associate managing deparmental divisional office supervisor of the international network amalgamation distributors corporation management organizational association of men who drive trucks.

Wow! Clean a truck out, never heard of anybody doing that before, what a nice guy.

Are you doing all 48 states or dedicated and how have your journey times been, it sounds as if you are enjoying the job?

Im on a dedicated account. I don't get paid as much as a regular OTR driver but its close...although I can't figure out the math for some odd reason, lol.

Im home daily, two days off a week, 9-10 hour days on average. Fill up every other day. Drive just a tad over 400 miles each day. Im enjoying it so far...athough I have a teaching degree so Id like to be able to utilize that somehow if I can't go back into the profession.

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associate production coordinating directorial associate managing deparmental divisional office supervisor of the international network amalgamation distributors corporation management organizational association of men who drive trucks.

[quote=TurboTrucker;38965]

The one thing that has always impressed me about them, is that former drivers in almost all cases testify to having liked working there. The chief complaints was hometime and slow trucks (some people just like to go fast, I guess). They like to keep people busy, which is a good thing in my opinion.

Hometime ie weekends is not an issue with me.
Schneider has a facility in New Milford CT, 90min from my home.
I need blocks of time of, 14/7 or part time.
I've heard good things about the company, do they have part time drivers?
I'm a recently out of work Flight Attendant from ATA Airlines, do not need health care, but need time for my life, which I had in 12 day blocks at ATA.
is this possible with Schnieder? or another company?
I picked this alternitive field as I've been towing a trailer since I was 16, I'm 47 and just got back from Bozeman MT with my Duramax crew cab and widebody 35ft Airstream travel traler. Granted, it's not a big rig, but I am a good safe driver that is used to trailering. Thought that might be a plus.
Sincerely
Dan

That facility no longer exists. When it did exist it was just a little lunch room with a couple of showers at our customer Kimberley Clark. The information on Schneider's website is misleading. For example it shows an OC in Des Moines, IA but actually it is just a pilot t/s that we do trailer exchanges and stuff from my past experience. Also if you look on the map it doesn't show the Columbus OC which isn't really much of an OC more like 2 fuel pumps, a shower and bathrooms with a tv in a filing room.

When I started in Oct 2007 I was told they did not hire part time drivers for OTR. What they do offer is a program called Home run. You are out for 2 weeks then home for a week.

My truck is a 2003. It has 660k miles on it and it is the first truck I received. I was offered an upgrade to a 2005 after 6 months but turned it down as my truck is extremely clean and I just got a new Webasto, Clutch and 5th wheel.

Schneider is a good choice in my opinion. Keep an open mind, take the good with the bad and give it atleast 7 months to a year before giving up. Get through your first winter and you will be alright.