Don't get to concerned over the operation of the Qualcomm, it's a piece of cake. The messages are all precanned, you type in an X maybe the date and time and hit the send button. The operation is pretty straight forward, and all you really need to learn is what message to send, and they will teach you that.

the 500 /wk pay guarantee at Schneider...went away on 30 sept when CPM was increased.....inexperienced drivers do not qualify for the higher CPM...
newbies seem to be quitting on a regular basis....and having to pay off the balance of a 4500.00 training fee...# 18%.....the rumor mill says the career fairs are not going to be held in 08, recruiters are being offered dedicated or system driving jobs... training centers to be closed, and only experienced drivers will be hired...time will tell...

paid miles are 5-10% less than actual miles driven....always seems to be an argument over detention pay, etc..the DBL's make the call and some of them are less experienced than the drivers..

I was in the same class as Truckin. I think some just had some problems proving they were not illegals (I believe that is the rumor I heard). Another was doing really well, but I think his wife changed his mind, or something to that effect. A couple of gals had probs, one just was too nervous it seeemed and was taking too long to learn, even though she was learning; a second I think just had a hard time backing up without a marker.
Of those that were sort of escorted out, Im thinking of one, possibly two. One felt he could do whatever he wanted, whenever, not listen to instructors, walk in sandals out in the yard...etc. Another just didn't study worth beans, prayed to Jesus during the tests when tests came up, bombed five tests, drove his roomie nuts and a half; and had a issue with being awake.
Im not totally sure on their background checks but I was told by my recruiter they would do that all before I got down there. However, I think that with some people, they may have more stuff checked or looked into during training. Maybe they do more in depth stuff or double check things? Im not totally sure.

Harley, I think the issue with the 500 minimum is the fact that its one of those things where we didn't know it was taken away. Nobody mentioned it, and it was something out there that you would think would be a mainstay guarantee...because...I mean crap, if you are making less than 500 a week, the company is scrooging you over big time. Lots of fuzzy areas, such as a lack of a policy book, lack of updates or changes in company policy(ies), your pay not in writing (ie...Im getting 30 less each week compared to what my recruiter told me), lots of info not being shared with drivers (I thought my thing was permanent, MIGHT have to give it up depending on a situation of a former driver...didn't know that until I was finished with training and got my CDL...rather strange I wasn't told as the recruiter had that info in their hands). I can't find anything written, set in stone regarding Idle times (amongst other things)...especially what they define as idle. Someone on here or elsewhere mentioned Idle time was a whole bunch of stuff one wouldn't relate to idling at all. Same thing with bobtail pay if you bobtail home (ie you don't get paid for it). Lots of stuff out there, but the fine print is nowhere to be found.

Thanks for the details about Schneider training and trucking. What in particular made you choose this large company over the many smaller ones that sometimes have higher per mile pay rates?

I'll skip Schneider....way too many people saying how they have changed for the worse....I know a couple of Prime drivers, they're happy, getting good mileage. They also offer a walk away lease.....that is a nice deal too....Prime offers training which is even more comprehensive than SNI, they run in my area. They just bought TRL and are adding more dry van loads.

Schneider has a strict idleing policy, tied to your bonus. Also, their tractors only have an 180 watt power inverter, so forget a small fridge, or small appliance. You have to run with a cooler and a sandwhich cooker all 12 volt.....
No APU on the tractor....so, when it's 110deg's and you need to sleep, with no idleing!!!....for a company that boasts safety...this doesn't sound too safety minded.....
They failed to mention that with the increase in CPM, which inexperienced drivers did not get, the 500 week min went away....some drivers are sitting 2-3 days now...slow freight....so, the guarantee would have keep them above water....
From what I hear, they are modifying the "take the tractor home" policy when on TAH.....some drivers are driving 70 mi plus from the drop lot or OC to home, drivers don't know if the tractor is being slip seated while they're TAH, so, they drag their gear with them.....got to be a pain in the butt....

Yes they pay the short miles, which is Household Movers Guide miles. In my opinion you really do lose a significant amount of miles with this method. I lost NO LESS than 10% of my total miles and when you add it up over time, it's a lot!

Another thing to watch out for is that they automatically enroll you into the Per Diem program and don't let you send in your "opt out" form until after training which means your first check or two will be at the per diem rates which for me was .02 cents less per mile.

They also gave me in writing that I'd make a minimum of $500/wk minimum for 26 weeks....well this "went away" as I was told. Even when I said I had it in writing as a guarantee they didn't give a hoot...just said it went away.

I'll stand by my original post that the training with Schneider is good but their ethics in regards to paying their drivers leaves a lot to be desired.
I quit a couple weeks ago because I just hate being lied too and would much rather work for a company that has a bit more integrity than that.
I'm going with a company that pays HUB miles and gives you the facts instead of empty promises.

You are correct. In fact, even if you could find a microwave that ran on 180w you can have them...simply not allowed.
You CAN NOT take your tractor home! I was told when I got hired that I could park in the drop lot in W. Sacramento, CA....But when I went solo they changed that too. I had to drive 85 miles to my tractor one-way...this meant about $40 in fuel just to get to work and back. When I asked about parking in the drop lot they told me they closed it. Only thing is when I drove by there a week later, it wasn't closed at all. I again asked about it and they said it was only for Intermodal account drivers...funny....I talked to a guy that parked there and he was a dry van driver like me. Another empty promise.

They also say they don't slip seat but they do. I parked my tractor at the French Camp OC for home time, I pulled my curtains, locked up and went home. Upon returning, my curtains were open, my truck was left unlocked with all my personal gear in there and my pre-pass was missing. My trip miles (which I had reset) were at 275. When I asked about it they said no one used the truck. BAH! I knew better.

If you run a dedicated account with Schneider you're probably happy since you are on salary but if you are West Regional...I wish you luck.
Good training but thats about it....

Right now I'm just looking for a job with as good as pay I can get at 21 and no experience. I just want to be half-way treated like a human being, and even then I'd probably put up with BS. Schneider will start me at 30 cents a mile and give me 200$ a month tuition reimbursement, which is a pretty good deal. I don't really plan to be with them more than a year. Once I'm 22 and have a year experience I'll have a lot more options. I just want a job that I don't completely hate.

Hehe...I don't even park where Im supposed to (evil laugh).

The dedicated run I was offered by Schneider (as a brand new driver) was a Target reefer run for 26 cents per mile, not a salary. I figure, if they're offering the noobs, it's not something I really would want. I went with 30 cents per mile OTR.