I am a recent graduate of a certified cdl school. I also just got my cdl a/b two weeks ago. I have been reading these forums for the last month and have noticed that many people are dumping on Werner/Swift/Schneider. I am just wondering if your complaints have to do with their schools (meaning schools for people who have never been behind the wheel of a semi) or the quality of training for those people who already have a cdl. I obviously need to get some otr experience and many of the big 6 will hire you if you have a pulse.

based on all I've heard, and what little I've seen - I'd pass on Swift and Werner - unless you are desperate. Schneider- I've heard good and bad about how they treat company drivers.. probably less bad than many other companies. Can't recall that I've ever heard anything bad about their training. That's a big plus, in my book. I'd happily work for a little less if it meant I was getting top-notch training (don't tell anybody!) - though I don't think they pay badly for entry-level.

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Keep the big doors at the back!

I am not basing my opinions on the opinions of others. I work for Werner, and I will say that at this point regardless of the company if you are going solo as a trainee you may have an issue. Expect to wait a while for a truck, and expect slow loads for the next few months. Thats said if you can get pass this slow period I find Werner to be a good company. If you have more specific question regardign policy, equipment, etc on Werner I'd be happy to assist.

Schnedier training is good as it pretty much pays for all things including hazmat endorsement, lodging, some food, the cdl itself, but you have to read the fine print on that carefully. I have no expierence with the Swift school.

Werner doesn't train but they work with many schools that do and that have flexible financing options. If you have the ability to pay for the schooling yourself (in the range of 5 k ish) you will make more your first year.

Now this part is just off of things I have heard, Swift and Schneider have basically stopped training.

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I am a Camaro Girl because IROC!

You have unlimited chances to go too slow, but only one to go too fast.

No, Schneider still trains. Well at least they have a cdl course that you take that is 14 days long. That's 168 hours in 14 days. I am in the Dallas OC now. Still griding gears even on my 3rd day of driving. Still can't bump and run without problems yet. It gets confusing slowing but not stopping, watching mirrors, making sure nobody is coming down the offramp, and changing gears at the same time, plus you have to keep the RPM's and speed the right numbers. Anyway, just saying they still have a school.

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Schneider employee, Dallas, Tx.
Meteorology student (no longer).
And I didn't fail, I quit! Just to make it clear
Ham Call: KD5GIV

I remember that part, I'd never seen a stick shift before school for trucking gosh I thought I'd never get it right, but ya will.

Thanks for updating me on the school. Went to that school they have there, were it was like a requirement you stay at the La Quinta Inn of Death, where the cops randomly drop by to run all the liscense plates to see if any cars are stolen.

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I am a Camaro Girl because IROC!

You have unlimited chances to go too slow, but only one to go too fast.

Looking at it from - of course - my point of view, I think you are better off learning to drive a truck (double clutch) if you have never driven a stick before. I've been driving a stick for .. um... well, a few years. I have a lot of habits that are good in a car, but are BAD in a truck.

Bad habit #1 - putting clutch to the floor when I shift.

Bad habit #2 - trying to shift to quickly.

There are others, but those two are the killers

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Keep the big doors at the back!