Well Dedicated...the way I figure...is paid two ways:
* per mile...meaning you probably make deliveries all over the place
*salaried...same stops, every day, day after day, year after year.

Im salaried as I make the ame stops.

26 per mile is low...even for dedicated. Dedicated does pay lower than regular OTR driving...but I figure in myc ase, Im home nightly, two days off a week....etc.

This one was for Target, AND you only got home 2 days a week. I think it's especially low considering it's reefer. I think they're waiting for some desperate noob who really wants to be home more often and can't find anything better.

Truckin916, I start Fontana on 1-5-08 as ADTC. I was wondering about the PWS test and the failure rate. I'm 54 6' 1" and 250 lbs but I've worked construction (installing 100 to 200lb doors) for the last 23 years. My blood pressure is a little high but I did get a 2 year med card without any medication. Also, how was the driving test given the first day. I guess you didn't do well if you had to go the whole 14 days. I may decide to go the 14 even if I do well if they let me.

I was in the same class as Truckin, might be able to offer advice until he comments.

If your BP is high, that might be an issue for the Physical test you do at the OC. I say this because if your BP is high, your pulse rate might be high as well and that is what they check. THey check your pulse after each test.

If you check out Schneiders webpage, they list the tests you will take (i think, or have a video available to watch). For you, your target heart rate is 220-54 X .9 = 149. Your pulse can't go over that 149, otherwise they give you the boot. THey don't take your BP however.

As far as the driving test on the first day. I don't think anyone from our class was allowed to test, mainly because they asked something along the lines if they could drive, operate the qualcomm, etc like a regular driver that first day. The prob was that the students didnt know how to use the quallcomm, so they were herded back into the classroom. I think your best bet if you have a CDL already is to say yes, and take the test. However, I think they will require you to know how to do the pre trip inspection, maybe the 4point and post trip as well, not sure.

And keep this in mind..."it is what it is"....don't worry, you don't understand, but if you stay in Fontana, you are bound to hear it, possibly 343432 times.

Were you allowed any time in between exercises (minute, etc.) and how many failed out of your class?

Go to their website. It has pictures and number of reps etc that is expected. It looks pretty simple. Like 10 deep knee bends. Pick up 30 lbs three times. Pull a rope thing to simulate a pallet jack. I am 52 and did all the stuff except pulling pallet jack in front of computer. No problem at all. If you can;t do these you need to start doing some light exercise. You got more problems than Schneider to worry about.

I can do it all it's just the heartrate. Did yyou just do this same test?

If you are active, as it sounds you are, you'll probably pass the PWS without an issue, take your meds that morning, eat light, don't smoke and you'll be fine.
I didn't take the initial road test because when asked if I could go out and pull a load for them right now, with trip planning, qualcomm etc...I said no because I had no clue about the qualcomm (which in retrospect they are going to teach it to you anyway)....so I didn't even get to take the drive test. I just suggest to anyone that is going to Schneider to at least say yes so you can give it a shot.

Good luck!

I think our class made it thru, the class after ours lost five...so it really varies. Get on a treadmill or do some exercises for 40 minutes and take your pulse every few minutes and see where you are at, it's the best gauge. I personally duplicated the Schneider tests (posted under the training section of thier website) at home and took my pulse after every single one before I went down there...

Well I don't take meds of any kind, don't smoke or drink either. I took my pulse while resting and it's 78 which isn't high. I tried to duplicate the test as best I could but when I stopped and tried to get the cuff on and then pump up the device it would register an error. Then I would do it again and it wouldn't be right because I had a chance to rest. I would lift a 60lb bag of sand for all the lifting tests, even the 30lb tests and do the squats. I would test but then get an error so I would do the exercises again and get an error. I think I did these exercises four times and for good measure on the last test I ran around the pool five times and then I finally got a good measurement but it was 161bpm, my limit is 149. I think because I repeated the test so many times without resting and then running I registered higher. When I take the test at SNI I'll be starting from 78 bpm and the test will be a little easier then what I did.