Running With Schneider!

Well, finally got started here on my new career in trucking. After months of research and preparation I have decided to go with Schneider and fortunately they also extended the offer to me.

Have my CDL sense 1992 and drove for Arrow Trucking back in 1994. No trucking experience sense, so they required a refresher course and I knew I needed one anyway... Got that done and updated the Hazmat and Tanker endorsements for good measure.

Schneider said they will reimburse me for the cost of the endorsements (they require hazmat). Thought that was pretty cool..

Also noticed in the welcoming email they want me to have a twic card as well. Will work on getting that done next. Hopefully at some point during or right after training.


Today was my first day at the terminal. Went in for the pre work physical screen. I am staying with a friend locally so drove my own vehicle. Showed up at the gate pressed the call button and shortly after they responded. Told them I was there for pre-work screen and he directed where to park and enter etc... Was pretty impressed with their security fencing and gates. They don't just let anybody walk in there that is for sure. My how things have changed.

There is 16 students in my class so had to wait a while to get my turn at the physical test and first thing they check is my blood pressure ... it came out 195/96 What the hellll!!!!.. I thought to myself. So I was in hyper tension range and she put me on a list to get re-checked. Consider myself in pretty good shape and work out regularly ... usually average about a 120/72 blood pressure.. I just couldn't believe it.

Well anyway went on and passed the physical part of test ..pretty easy stuff no worries. Afterward she told me everything is fine they will check the blood pressure again in next day or 2 and I wasn't above the 220 limit so that it would be ok.

I have a lot of respect for Schneider and they have many friendly employees/instructors I enjoyed the day there today, look forward to working for them. Hope all goes well.


Wanted to post as much as possible about my experience for others to benefit and will answer any questions as I earn and learn.


We start orientation 6 ma tomorrow, better get my sleep and will keep ya posted!

 

Fontana Ca.

Yeah thanks jakecat on the BP.. Come to find out after talking with a friend who was medic in Navy.. I realized on the day of my test I went to the gym about 6 hours earlier to do a light work out and get in the sauna to heat up and stretch a pulled hamstring I been nursing.

Nothing to strenuous just wanted be loose for the pre work test. Well stupid me while in the sauna got caught in conversation with another sauna person and lost track of time.. before I knew my body was screaming to get out of there.

Apparently it dehydrated me and that can cause your BP to be high for extended period of time. FYI drink lots of fluids and don't go into a sauna before getting your BP check.. lesson learned.

Everything is fine now tested my BP and it is back to normal on the tester at the drug store..129/69.

Will have to go back in at Schneider and get taken again too.. will see .. shouldn't be a prob now.

They told me today it's not a problem for them, just want to monitor it for my safety and others. If it gets worse they will recommend to get it taken care by my doctor.

 

Long day today but very informative.

Started out with getting all our paperwork in order. W4, banking info for direct deposit. copies of passport, medical card, CDL license etc..

Received our company driver training/guide (huge book covering A-Z about being a driver and driving for SNI) went over logging and started our practice logs that we will use throughout orientation.

Went out to simulators on other side of the yard and practiced shifting on them based on how SNI wants you to shift.

Took a few try's but got the hang of it after a couple of turns. We shift from 2nd up to ninth then shift down to 7th then 5th and come to a stop then into 2nd. If you been through school it shouldn't be a problem to pick it up. Basically learning to skip a gear on the downshift for approaching a light or turn. It is more fuel efficient than shifting down through all gears which makes complete sense to me.

We then went to the yard did dock backing between trailers. Did better than I thought I would and felt comfortable as the instructors lets do our thing and just guided us as needed with some key backing principles that made it a lot easier in my opinion.

We then went through a detailed review of coupling and uncoupling the trailers, pretrip and brake testing.

Our instructor gave us home work and a chapter to read on shifting to prepare for driving tomorrow.

By the sounds of it the final SQT test will consist of all the things we reviewed today and more.

Can't wait to go at it again tomorrow!

 

Hi Mike,

I just did a refresher course here in Fontana at a certified trucking school. SNI told me I needed at least 40hours to qualify. Took about a week. Did that and then applied.

During my time there we practiced backing, did a lot of driving and reviewed pretrip inspections.

 

Another good day at orientation!

Watched some videos on skid control and how to handle steer tire blow outs.
We then practiced these scenarios on the simulators.

After that we did pre-trip and brake check inspections going through each item step by step the way Schneider wants it done.

After lunch we went out on the road for some driving time and got familiar a bit more with the trucks and how they want you to shift down and take turns. then came back to the yard and practiced more backing, that was the end of the day.

All in all talking with some of the other students and myself included we agree the instructors make you feel as if they are on your side and really want you to do well, pass all your test and get hired.

I am doing my best to give a non bias report, but I have to say the research from this site really helped me narrow down good choices for company's to work for. I am very impressed with SNI and their training, orientation and how they handle everyone and take the time to work more with those that need it.

PS..almost forgot ... We also had a class where one of the instructors showed us how to put on chains for snow driving .. that was very informative and even though I have some experience never had to put chains on. Glad they covered that.

Tomorrow should be more driving and backing ..I am beginning to get more comfortable with driving the trucks.. I like it

have a good one!