wanting to become an IC with Schneider

Hey, how long have you been with sni? I was with sni for 8 mo, before i got deployed. I will be back with them when i get back. I wasnt on work flow, how is that coming along?

 

Workflow's not bad, just a little different, and occasionally a minor problem. I've been with them for almost a year. When are you getting back?

 

So....they pay 100% of the fuel surcharge eh?? You mean they pay you 100% of the 75% that they feel like paying you? I think anybody who 'wants' to IC for SNI needs their head examined. The OP obviously doesnt have his stuff together, no money for operating costs, breakdowns etc, and will be the next guy to tell everybody how much trucking sucks...

 

I will be back in a couple of weeks. I probably start back with sni, sometime in June.

 

Nope. I mean they pay 100% of SNI's posted fuel surcharge rate, currently $0.42 per mile, and 65% of the balance of what the load pays them. The FSC is calculated based on the average fuel price (aboe $1.25/gal) and assuming 6.5 mpg. This week diesel ave price is $3.98, so FSC = ($3.98-$1.25)/6.5 mpg = $0.42 per mile. It has nothing to do with "what they feel like" paying me, it's simple math.

And in addition, I know exactly the total I will be paid for a load before I choose it. The only number I ever look at anyway is the total I get for the load, and decide whether or not I want the load based on that. Only drivers on mileage pay need to take the current fuel surcharge into account to know what they will get.

Care to elaborate? No dispatcher. No assigned freight ever. Don't need my own trailer, authority, etc. Plenty of freight to choose from when I want to run hard, nobody to inform when I don't. What's not to like?

Of course I could make more money elsewhere. SNI's choice program is for those of us that want to go where and when we want, not those of us who want to maximize income regardless. You think a visit to a shrink would change me from the former to the latter? All the more reason to stay away from shrinks if you ask me.

Really? When did the OP say any of that?

 

Ok you asked for it. Don't take this as a personal insult it's not. For what it is SNI Choice is pretty good, a heckuva lot better deal than the poor owners paid a flat mileage rate. Lots of people comment "it's just like Landstar". Really though it isn't. The biggest difference being there is no ability to network with any agents at SNI, figure out some good sources, cultivate those sources.. All posted freight comes from the Orange mothership, the borg.. the rate is, what it is take or leave it... ...no haggling allowed... That would really suck but I'm positive anyone if they put some thought into could figure out ways to make good money on the choice program, it's just that without being able to negotiate anything, well it hampers a person somewhat. This not meant to knock you or them just pointing out the one true flaw I see to their system.

 

It kind of seems like this was directed at me, but you aren't saying anything that contradicts anything I've said, or anything that anyone else has said.

I was merely trying to answer questions from the OP, then simply refuted false statements about the FSC being "whatever they feel like paying" and the unsubstantiated claims of the OP wanting to start the Choice program flat broke.

And you're right about dealing with brokers, but not dealing with brokers or negotiating is the main reason I went with SNI instead of Landstar. Yes there is less potential for profit, but it's trouble-free, broker free, negotiation-free nature is also an advantage for inexperienced O/O's or those who think dealing with a broker is like touching a hot stove eye.

Of course the program has both pros and cons, and of course it's not the way for an experienced O/O to make the best money, but nobody is saying it is.

As far as the posted freight all being from the Borg, just remember, "Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated into the collective."

 

So, in a nutshell, would you say that the Schneider percentage thing is a midway point between a Landstar type of thing and a per mile lease on type of thing? Sounds like it. I just recently started taking a look at Schneider's thing and researching if it would be something worth considering.

 

It's somewhere in between those, yes, although I wouldn't consider it exactly midway. Whether it's more like one or the other depends on what aspects you're looking at and consider important.

I've never drove for Landstar, so I only know what I've heard through the grapevine, but with SNI's choice program, you never deal with brokers. The loads on the board are ready to go, you just pick what you want from their online load board, it gets sent to your truck, then the pick up and delivery is just like a mileage driver, or a company driver for that matter, aside from how you get paid of course.

One big advantage is that not only can you run when and where you want, you can choose the type of load you want, ie drop and hook vs live, short runs vs long runs, etc. And it does seem like the kinds of loads I don't like always pay better than the kinds of loads I do like. Same for the when and where. But if my priority was to maximize income at all costs, I wouldn't be with SNI, anyway, so I usually take loads I like.

 

Been driving with SNI for about 6 months. Me and my buddy are really contemplating in jumping in the choice program. Both of us are solo drivers for western 11, no preventables, just good company drivers that actually enjoy the job. I have a good dbl, he hates his lol but both of us like the point that we can run when we want, where ever we want. I don't have major bills, no rent, no car payment. I graduated college, live at home with my parents and I'm saving as much as I can while on the road. Money and maxamizing profit arent my agenda. Its mostly starting my own business and being home more is my priority. If I can make at least $50k on the I/C side, I'm a happy man. As for loads, can you run just OR, CA, NV, AZ, UT if you want? Thats where I've been sticking to lately as a company driver. I enjoy the Northwest but I can see how its hard on a truck. Also thinking of buying older rig through SNI but its luck of the draw I've heard. Thinking about just getting one of them ex Ryder FL Colombia's for a decent price. Any advice I thank you in advance.