newbie cr englad vs schnieder

England is going to mostly Team driving and they will pressure you to lease a truck. Schneider still is mostly Solo... that is the first thing I would decide, but do a search through the threads on this site. I have never worked for either company so won't bad mouth them but their reputations are what they are and many others will tell you all about them.

 

Hey man welcome to the forum!

England and Schneider are by far not your only options! Personally if they were the only two companies out there I would choose Schneider. Do your home work and it will be very beneficial to you! Make a list of your wants and needs and start combing the internet. There are so many options out there. Once you have narrowed it down to a couple dozen or so then start calling recruiters to get the finer details. Good to have a prepared list of questions too. Keep in mind that the mega-carriers spend millions of dollars in advertising to get YOU to work for THEM! Companies that aren't advertising have lower driver turnover rates = happier drivers!

Here is a good site that will help you find some smaller "mom and pop" companies in your area. Just type in your state and should spit out a pretty good list.

http://www.bestdriverjobs.com/truck-driving-california.html

Good luck man.....

 

Do your homework find out what they are going to charge you to go through a refresher course some of these companies are insane on what it will cost you. Some charge more for their refresher course than I payed for my whole CDL schooling at the time,you can save yourself some money if you can afford to get a refresher course on your own plus it gives you more options on which companies will hire you.

 

I did England twice....never again!!! I have my likes about them, but too many dislikes. They USE to be a good campnay baout thier drivers, but now its all about thier money. sad. I have been haulin frieght for AAA Cooper and now going to Schnieder to haul tanks locally here for the oil patch.

 

Chompi and I have both been up one the soap box for a long time now telling the new drivers that only you can pick a company that's right for you. YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE A LIST so you can compare many factors. PAY,MEDICAL,DENTAL,RETIREMEMT,HOME-TIME,EQUIPMENT,MILES, DO THEY SIT ALOT,HAS THE COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR AWHILE,DO THEY HAVE SOME DRIVERS THAT HAVE RETIRED FROM THAT COMPANY, YOU MIGHT WANT A RIDER PROGRAM,HOW ABOUT A BENEFIT THAT PAYS FOR YOUR SCHOOLING ( I HAD ONE AND THEY PAID FOR THE BOOKS AND COURSE AS LONG AS IT COULD BE USED IN THE COMPANY), HOW NEW ARE THE TRATORS AND TRAILERS, WHAT KIND OF SCORE DO THEY HAVE, WHAT AREA DO MOST OF THE VIOLATIONS COME FROM, and on and on. You have to make the list for you and what makes you happy. Sure, you are not going to fill every want but it helps you decide and you will not be in the dark. And I'll tell you one thing. If I was on the other side of the desk and you pulled out this long list of wants I would have to think this guy really wants to find a solid job. Just be knowledgeable in what you are looking for and you'll be a step ahead on the rest.

 

I can tell you waht killed me as a lease op with England. Not enough milage for one(unless you are running with 3 ppl in your truck, have no bills, or family to take care of). 2. YOU have to pay to train the students or if you decide to have a 2nd seat. The company dont. Hometime.....I was home twice for 2 days each in a 8 month time frame. I dont mind working, but i have 3 kids i need to see as well. Last I hear, they did away with the Phase two training (what I was) or they revised it, i dont remember. I love training ppl. but i had a student on my truck that was trrying to take over my truck, trying to take over how i ran it, then acted as if we were a cpl and was verbally abusive if i left MY OWN truck without him. I told the company over and over again to get him off my truck. 4 weeks go by and it gets worse. finally in Pheonix I had to call the cops to get him off my truck for assult. then had to fight with the after hours to release him off my truck entirely (logs and qualcomm). I swapped my load for another since i was runnin solo again, and I didnt hear a word from my dispatch or anyone until 2 days later when I was i UT at the home terminal and went to see my DM. All they cared was the loads were on time. I could have been a mental wreck out there driving an 80k lb killing machine.... I wasnt, cuz im stronger than most girls..... but you get the point. So after that I trained acpl more and called it quits. When I first drove for them as comapny in 06, they were great. but when I came back in 2010...it was alll about leasing and making them money. the grandsons have ruined the company. I loved the experience as a l/o.... but i can do better with another company for sure. and one of my students has done that. he leased with them for 6 months, didnt make anything, went to KLLM and is leasing and making good money, thaking care of him and reg home time. im proud of him. I prefer to stay home driving local now so i can take care of my kids. I wish you the best on what you do. Driving is a great lifestyle. I jsut want you to hear the good and the bad on them. i have more ionmy blogs about the good lol

 

Keep in mind too that it is your career so don't base your decision on what other drivers have to say or bash about a company. Just because someone had a bad experience doesn't mean that you will and could very well have a long lasting great career with a particular carrier.

I personally believe though with my experience that your chances of success are much greater if you can avoid the mega-carriers. Those companies spend millions of dollars in advertising to get YOU to work for THEM! The companies that don't have lower turnover rates = happier drivers. You don't have to follow the herd! Think outside the box and reap the rewards! Do your home work and this website is an excellent place to start!

Good luck....