I put an ad on Craig's list - "experienced 30+ years accident free professional looking to get back on the road".

Got an email from a female recruiter - not employed directly by Schneider. She was very pleasant, gave me the details I was looking for. No BS - just plain nice. The job she offered was a tanker job.

I thought about it, decided it was close to one of the places I live - Louisiana - and finally sent in my resume. Had a call back the next morning from a Kevin He told me they would pay me starting 42.5 cpm plus 2 c safety bonus every 3 months, pay my travel to Dallas for 5 day orientation, the week paid plus paid meals and hotel... Then pay $90/day for the time needed for getting me up to snuff in regards to the tanker operation (I've hauled tankers before, both liquid and pneumatics) and probably a couple of days with another driver to make sure I had it all down before letting me loose.

In addition I would have to switch to a Louisiana CDL as the one I have - complete with all endorsements (tanker, hazmat and double/triples) is from the other state I also live in - Katrina and all that.

I would have a month to do that once I was hired. I said, interesting, no company has ever required this (I've been a driver trainer for several national LARGE companies, no accidents in 30+ years, no tickets since 1979 and several awards - not just safety awards. In all respects a perfect record).

All fine and dandy... Then a couple of days later there were questions about my resume - I had not been driving consecutively in the last couple of years and he was to call me back Friday - this was Thursday last week.

Friday comes and goes - no call from Kevin. I call and leave message on his voicemail Monday - no response. No call from Kevin on Tuesday.

Finally today - Wednesday I get a call back. I am told I have to change the license BEFORE they would be "able to bring me aboard".

I told him this is not what you told me before - and I just had my license renewed in the other state where I've had it for many years - not cheap as you now have to pay for the Hazmat - and it takes TIME as well to get the clearance. I told him I would have no problems doing the switch - all the written tests including the hazmat - about $150 or more - in that month I was told earlier I could do it in - as we had discussed EARLIER.

No, I was now told by Kevin I had to do it BEFORE.

My response was that I was no longer interested in this position as to me this was a major change from what had been discussed and agreed on and there was no guarantee I would be hired after spending the time and money and this was a bad precedent in the way I could be treated in the future by Schneider...

Exit Schneider..

Not a good experience..

CR

So, after posting my previous experience I wanted to make sure someone in a position able to take a look at how Schneider recruiting works by sending a copy to a person not connected with recruiting - but able to review their way of working.

I called them - after many choices - press one - or two - or three - you know the drill - I ended up with a woman - not young - she refused to give me her name and pointedly asked why I called. I told her I wanted an email address or name of someone who was not connected with recruiting as I simply wanted my experiences to be reviewed by someone with the power to perhaps institute changes.

She hung up on me...

A worse experience..

Let me assure you I was speaking in a very polite tone of voice, I am fairly well educated, speak several languages and never have any problems conversing or communicating with anyone - as I am sure my language here proves.

CR

Probably Kevin's wife LOL.

I have a feeling that Mr. Kevin really did not fully comprehend what he was asking you to do. Also, as long as you are living in the state the license is in, there should not be an issue as to which state you have it in for an OTR position.
Though if you are moving back to LA, then you will need to get it within 30 days anyway.
Still, not a good way to show respect for the driver.

What I think happened here was a little bit of 'We suck him in and then we start changing the deal" thing..

Yes, I've never had that as an issue with a company before.

Wasted a week for me - but on the other hand I now know to stay away from Schneider..=*^)

CR

That was very encouraging to read about schnieder. I am seriously thinking of pursuing them. I am in the Dallas -Ftworth area and I know where there center is. I am getting tired of sitting around the house doing much of nothin.

Did you read the last few post's?????

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My guess is he read the first page and hit quick reply. Not seeing the full thread.
Just a guess though. I see new drivers here every day, saying they used this site to research well, and that they are happy to inform us they are going to Swift, CR England, ect.
It is like a set of blinders is attached. I just don't get it.

I know that all must start somewhere. They need that 1-3 years. There are some companys that are lesser evils than others. I will at times post a comment, but since I am a driver and not a recruter, all I try to do is act as a rudder.
That is all any of us can really do.
Now a thread that just says "hey, if you are determined to do a year somewhere, no matter what, these are the best choices". Maybe that would help.

I guess maybe Im not looking at the big picture, but there seems to be one change in something from what the recruiter said. Said it was OK, then said no. From that one simple thing...the poo hit the fan, Schneider was no longer an option. Uh....

First thing I learned day one before ever starting truckin school was never trust a recruiter. I myself had to get the permit and paperwork started before I went to CA for training. Since I work in WY, I had to get a WY license. Normally I just keep stuff in MN because...well....everything is cheaper (bike is tagged for mn...yeah yeah, illegal...blah blah blah).

I dunno...I figger if that one single thing is enough to break the camels back...wow.

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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.

Ziggy,

When the recruiter does not call back as promised, start demanding changes to things already agreed upon - then you better start looking in your back mirror, 'cause more likely than not something is going to sneak up on you and kick your backside...

I am not quite sure how to read your comment but for me, the demand that I should get a new license - just renewed - complete with HazMat ($90 right there and three weeks wait time) - plus all the other charges to get a new license - what guarantee would I have had that Schneider would have hired me - even after spending the time and money?

So, Schneider demands you have a license in the state you work out of? Sure, no problem - IF they pay for the cost - AFTER they've hired you - and made good on at least some of the promises they gave you BEFORE you got hired....

CR

I'm a total noob, and I have been reading the threads for several weeks. What's frustrating for me is it seems EVERY company has complaints on this forum. That's cool, but it makes a newbie question everything. I've been recruited by Swift, CR England, Werner and Schneider. After reading the threads, I couldn't make heads or tails of good, bad, etc. It's making me crazy. I think I'm just going to go with Schneider because I think there the better of the three, but holy moly!

All that being said, I think this forum is a great resource. I just think a newbie has to sort through LOTS of opinions in order to get anything that is helpful in making the decision on a first company. I'll keep y'all up to date on my progress.