Soon to be moving from Swift to Schneider

Discussion in 'Schneider' started by GAPathfinder, Jun 11, 2014.

  1. GAPathfinder

    GAPathfinder Light Load Member

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    Looking forward to be soon moving from Swift to Schneider July 14. I came back out on the road about 2 years ago as a company driver, and have been happy with Swift as a company overall....sure they are not perfect then who is. I moved from company driver to contractor back in January 2014, by buying my own 2009 International ProStar from Lone Mountain Truck Leasing.

    Two main reasons I am looking to make the move is higher potential revenue and the ability to pick my own loads on Schneider's IC Choice board. I had considered and researched Landstar for more than a year, but at this time think I will be happier at Schneider than Landstar since I will not have to call a Landstar Agent to book a load.

    I do not intend to probably ever get my own authority, and no real desire to do so since it requires an individual to have alot more cash available to operate since you will have to chase your payments unless you use a factoring company 100%. I managed a automobile finance company for many years and chased subprime customers for years, and no desire to work that hard anymore.

    Well, submitted my application a few days ago to Schneider..did a phone interview with the Recruiter, starting faxing/emailing her required paperwork. Setup to do my DOT physical and Drug Screen Urinalysis/Hair Follicle testing on Monday June 23rd, and tentatively setup for orientation in Charlotte, NC on July 14th. My plan is to work right up to July 11th with Swift, and have them route me to Swift's Greer, SC terminal at that time to remove their qualcomm and turn in prepass, etc....

    Schneider will pay me deadhead miles from my home in Florida to Charlotte (408 miles x $0.50 = $204.00), plus Orientation pay (3 days x $50 = $150) and $500.00 additional incentive since I have never been a IC on the Choice program. This totals $854.00 that I will receive on my first settlement plus any load that I can run from Thursday to Monday once I am released from orientation.

    Plus, my recruiter informed me when I was questioning her about the Service Failure Fee they charge was just reduced from $500.00 to $400.00, even though I have never had a service failure yet and do not intend to start now.

    I would like to say to anyone considering Swift that I enjoyed my time with them. Good opportunity as a starter company to get back on the road, but their contractor opportunity is limited in the amount of income you can make since it is mileage driven on a sliding scale. And I do not recommend anybody buying a truck (in-house lease option) from any company, but that is my personal opinion.

    At Schneider, the only things that they will deduct from my settlement is:
    Escrow/Bond: $50.00/week for 20-weeks
    PrePass: $3.88/week
    Plates/Permits: $32.00/week plus an annual $50.00 administration charge
    Fuel: All fuel purchased by Monday midnite via Comdata plus a $1.00 transaction fee each time I buy fuel (except an OC "Operating Center" or "terminal")

    No Charge for Qualcomm or their Crossroads Intranet Load Board

    They pay or reimburse all tolls for NJ, NY, MD, ME, DE, PA, WV, MA, NH, IL, OK.

    As I pay my truck payment, all insurance (comp/collision, GAP, Unladen Liability/Bobtail, Occupational Accident, Roadside Assistance) and set aside 20% weekly for maintenance and SE taxes in separate accounts. Plus, I have an CC with a $8,400.00 limit for emergency use if ever needed. I usually charge maintenance to this and pay it off monthly or over a few months if the charge is more than $1,000.00. I do my own bookkeeping since I have Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and an Accounting/Bookkeeping Certification.

    Now you may say why am I out here.....well, since I was a boy and as a young man I have had three career interest (Military Service, Trucking, and Business/Finance), and being self-employed. I served 8-years in the US Navy in aviation ordnance, which I enjoyed immensely until Uncle Sam paid me to leave the service just after the first Gulf War. Also, worked in the automobile industry managing a finance company and sales manager for over 15-years earning six plus net figures, but was again paid a lucrative amount when the owners decided to close up the finance company in 2008 when the market got real risky, as we specialized in sub-prime automobile financing. And so that left me to pursue a career in the trucking industry to fulfill my bucket list (so to speak), and so far I have enjoyed everyday, well, most days.

    So, I have about 3.5 weeks left with Swift, and will give them a notice of approximately (12-14 days, as my contract states a minimum of 10-days via letter or qualcomm). I plan on doing my part to leave on good terms, as I believe in not burning any bridges. However, my recruiter has already told me if for some reason they decide to cut me loose or stop running me to let her know and she will get me in orientation sooner. I am hoping for the best, but always prepare for the worst.

    Again, I look forward to run with the BIG PUMPKIN !!!!!
     
    dog-c, Lepton1, Grijon and 11 others Thank this.
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  3. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    knuckledragger Thanks this.
  4. GAPathfinder

    GAPathfinder Light Load Member

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    Sep 10, 2008
    Jacksonville, FL
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    Thanks Dipschitt.....I have read most of these post already. Very good information naturally.
     
  5. TennMan

    TennMan Road Train Member

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    You have to set up pre pass on your own it is not settlement deducted....
     
  6. GAPathfinder

    GAPathfinder Light Load Member

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    Sep 10, 2008
    Jacksonville, FL
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    Yeah, I guess that is what the recruiter meant that I would have to call and activate the prepass...that is good, as I like having all my deductions (much as possible) to be taken monthly automatically anyway versus weekly from the settlement. Appreciate your input TennMan.
     
    TennMan Thanks this.
  7. TennMan

    TennMan Road Train Member

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    No problem, we're all here to help as best we can.
     
    dog-c and knuckledragger Thank this.
  8. lowgear14

    lowgear14 Medium Load Member

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    Good luck.
     
  9. Jrivas23

    Jrivas23 Light Load Member

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    Best of lucks!!!
     
  10. TruckerPatrick86

    TruckerPatrick86 Medium Load Member

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    Good luck. Welcome to Schneider.
     
  11. GAPathfinder

    GAPathfinder Light Load Member

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    Sep 10, 2008
    Jacksonville, FL
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    Thanks for all the well wishes. Much appreciated. Soon I will be pulling those orange trailers versus Swift's. Like I said before - Swift has been good to me, kept me rolling and I agreed to the their terms of employment/contract, as it suited me at the time. Now, looking to make a new step in a new direction as a independent contractor......very exciting.

    20140215_121515_Android.jpg
     
    Grijon Thanks this.
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