SCHNEIDER CHOICE PROGRAM - FREEDOM AWAITS " YOU " by JAR-HEAD

ORIENTATION DAY #1

DAY 1


Class starts each day at 0630 to 0700 depending on the teacher you get.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN TRUCK

Drive down to the SNI Training Academy using the directions I gave in my first orientation update post. I got there day one at 0600 myself and gave myself time to get the truck parked walk in the shop and get things in order before class started .

You will most likely be in class room 2 ( subject to change)

If you arrive before everyone else go in the front or main entrance at the right you will see a doorway to the cafeteria just go in there and hang out .. DO NOT try to go through the door directly in front of you on day one, it is alarmed and you dont have your student badge yet to get into that door. Its best to just go into the cafeteria . They will come into there and call each driver by name and give you your class room number 1, 2, or 3 .

Once you get your class room number you will do a quick meet and greet and get a STUDENT BADGE and NAME TAG where you are sitting ( place mat ) .

At that time all the folks leasing a truck from Schneider Finance will go and do their Physicals etc . If you brought your own truck and had over 90 days left on your card you will not be doing this . You will be able to start on you computer based training and get a head start. Its allot of cources to take aprox 6-7 hours in all but pretty simple stuff as you do the course. its mainly all video based with head phones. You will get around 1 to 1.5 hrs done while the Physicals are done on the SNF guys depending on class size . TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TIME ... IT WILL PAY OFF ON DAY 3 OF ORIENTATION when you get to cut out early and go back to hotel early or spend time with your new truck .. etc .

You then start filling out paper work with the entire class and do some video and class room activites and get briefed on your road test which is on DAY 2 .

Break for Lunch

More CLASSROOM training and about 1 hr to get computer work done as the SCHNEIDER FINANCE REP comes in and reviews things with the folks buying trucks ...

AGAIN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME TO GET COMPUTER WORK COMPLETED ....


Class is over at around 18:00 pm


DAY 2 will be updated later


JAR HEAD

 

ORIENTATION DAY # 2

ROAD TEST DAY

During class on Monday you will go over some COUPLING and UNCOUPLING PROCEDURES .

First thing in the morning of day 2 you will get introduced to a driver trainer of SNI who will give a brief introduction and go over some of the basics and yard rules . He will then take you to the yard where you will split up in 2 or 3 groups of 4 to 5 depending on class size and go over the procedures of how to hook and un hook the SNI way. You will have your hand outs and will go through it with the trainer as he demonstrates as you and your group read the list IN ORDER..

Once you are completed you will ask questions and head back to class and be met with the TRAINER who will be preforming you road test. TAKE YOUR HAND OUTS FOR 1. coupling and un coupling 2. Air Brake test you are able to use these as a guide if you take them with you on your test as you must preform these tasks . GO DOWN THE LIST IN ORDER ... DO NOT SKIP STEPS AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR DOING AS YOU DO IT ... REALLY EASY

Your drive test will start with a PRETRIP that the TRAINER would have already told you the highlights of what they are looking for in your morning class its just the basics you already know , Stering box, Breaks , Tires, Drums , Windows, Lugs , Belts , Water pump , Collant level , Oil Level, Lights , Frame Catwalk air lines etc ... inside the cab Horn , Defrost , Gauges , Steering Play.

Trailer Inspection : Locking pins , Roof , Lights , Doors / Seals , Breaks , Landing gear , DOT BUMPER , the basics including registration and DOT inspection sticker .

Break test by the list just basically a pump down and tractor safety but YOU HAVE A CHEAT SHEET THEY GIVE YOU .. dont worry about studying cause its the SNI WAY not what youll see on a website if you google it ... But its simple and strait forward and just GO DOWN THE LIST and there is NO WAY YOU CAN MESS UP ( unless you cant read ) .. lol

DRIVE TEST THINGS TO REMEMBER

3 points of contact enter and exit TRUCK (2 GOAL when backing GET OUT AND LOOK (3 Check mirrors and watch posted speed signs (4 Use the BUTTON HOOK TURN when you can ... will be explained in class basically a wide turn hook motion watching traffic to your side . (5 SEAT BELT ....


After your drive test is lunch then followed up by INSURANCE ... I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you take all the deductiable buy downs as its a good deal . They offer Health Insurance and OC/AC also .. you will get a form to fill out and a matrix of the value of your truck and the rate it will be both monthly and weekly so you will know the costs .

More class room work

Class is over at 17:30 to 18:00

Class homework this night a open book test in which you can group study or do it your self .


Day 3 Next


JAR HEAD

 

ORIENTATION DAY # 3

QUALCOMM / HOS / WORKFLOW

The Morning starts with taking your HOME WORK ASSIGNMENT and logging into the computer and answering the questions and recording your score. Then the class reassembles and goes over the MCP200 and HOS and then the workflow program and how it works. The class then goes over around 3 load scerneios and completes them and as long as everyone understands the process then you can go and finish your computer work .

FINISH THE COMPUTER WORK

This is the orginal work I spoke of from day one . Yep you still got to get it done and some who didnt use their time wisely will have to start from scratch. You will have about 1 hour to get dug in before SAFETY COMES IN and you watch a video on safety at SNI.
USE THE TIME WISELY ..........

SAFETY BRIEFING

SNI safety staff comes in and gives a brief summary about SNI safety the basics of following distance , weather , load shifts , and more.


PAPER WORK

After the safety brief you go back into class and go over the SNI load paper work such as the TRIP SHEET , LOAD STICKERS , EXPENSES , and TALLEY REPORTS. The biggest thing to report on this is that you are PAID OFF THE WORK FLOW on the QUALCOMM and not the TRANSFLO. The trip sheet will have a BARCODE number on it which will be the load ID NUMBER and you will use that along with placing a LOAD STICKER on the BOL which is also scanned in with the paper work. Your EXPENSES such as , TOLLS , TOLLS or TOLLS that you may pay in OK or a place your EZ PASS does not work you will place on a blank sheet of paper and tape them to it and place a EXPENSE STICKER on the page and scan with your paperwork with the load. The work flow program will ask you if you have any EXPENSES on each load and you will answer accordingly and most likely will not be any depending on where you run OK turnpike is a expense you would turn in etc.. Now I have been asked about LUMPERS ... I will cover that in the next section ... stay tuned .

PAPER WORK & PAPER LOGS

Load paper work and any paper logs you would have if your ELOG goes down are all scanned in with the load.

YOU KEEP THE ORIGINALS !!!!! SNI asks that you keep them on file for 60 days then you may discard them . NOTE that this policy may change so go with what your told in class and not this posting ..

BE SURE TO APPROVE YOUR LOGS DAILY on the QC.


LUMPERS / LUMPER FEES

This seems to be a big question . YES - SNI pays for lumpers and gives you a number to the LUMPER HOTLINE which is open 24/7 - 365 from what we were told. By calling this hotline you will get a EFS check number or PO number to cover lumper charges . IMPORTANT INFO - Be sure you look at your load details as if you have a LIVE LOAD or OFF LOAD be sure it is not a 1) Driver assist or (2 No lumper paid . On these type loads there will be a fee included in the rate for the work, now with that said you can opt for the PAID LUMPER SERVICE if provided at the vendor ( which probably will be ) but you will FORFIET the pay that was on the rate for LOADING or OFFLOADING you dont get both. I have looked at loads on the board and have not saw any that had this listed in the remarks but i am sure they exist some where so be sure you always look at the LOAD DETAILS and INFORMATION .

BACK TO THE COMPUTER YOU GO ...

Remember what I said about using your time wisely ... This is key because if you are done with the computer work as I was by utilizing my time then CLASS IS OVER ...... WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!! Back to the hotel you go...

NOT SO FAST DRIVER....... LOL

Go see the teacher you will see allot of things with your name on it up front of the class...

KING PIN LOCK , PAD LOCK , ATLAS , 2 CARGO STRAPS , FUEL CARD , SEALS , and more...

Sign for your items ... Your fuel card will not be active yet and you also should have your driver number also if you already havent got it yet.

YOUR NOT DONE WITH ( day # 3 ) TILL THE COMPUTER WORK IS DONE .... SO KEEP THIS IN MIND IF YOUR NOT GOOD AT TIME MANAGEMENT ..

NOW YOUR DONE FOR DAY #3

BUT ITS NOT OVER YET YOU NEED TO DECIDE SOME THINGS

AFTER CLASS on DAY 3

THINGS TO DO .....

OK your almost graduated well you kind of are... but you need to do some things to decide your next move ....

QUESTION - SHOULD I STAY or SHOULD I GO ???

Meaning are you going to check out in the morning or stay over another night and get your truck setup etc and leave out FRIDAY... ? If your gonna stay you need to tell the hotel staff and prepare to pay for it you will get the SNI price which I think is $35.00 a night . I personally stayed but others left its all depending on YOU... Your a BUSINESS OWNER NOW if you were a COMPANY CONVERT ... Welcome to being a O/O but keep in mind now your in business your not a employee of SNI no more so you'RE - your own boss but dont let it go to your head but make the right decision ... Are you tired ? then rest .


YOU GOT YOUR TRUCK TODAY ( SNF GUYS and Brought your own )

Once you are finished with your DAY 3 of class then you can take your truck to the hotel for the first time ... I got BETSY back and got all my stuff orginized and put away and let her sit in the hotel lot ...


LOOK AT THE LOAD BOARD

You will have your crossroads username and password check out the load board and get a feel for it...

DONT BOOK NOTHING YET !!!!!!!!!! VERY IMPORTANT .....

Because 9 x out of 10 your going on a TRAILER SEARCH for your first empty which that info will be given to you on DAY 4 in class... its paid so dont worry ..


Just browse and get familar with everything and see what options are avaliable and check things out

NOTE DOWN ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ..... They will most likely answered in class but a good idea just in case they are not addressed .


THAT IS YOUR JAR - HEAD HOME WORK ASSIGNMENT FOR AFTER DAY 3 !!

Day 4 next

Jar -Head

 

ORIENTATION DAY # 4

LOAD BOARD TRAINING

Ok now you made it , your a CHOICE DRIVER ( business owner ) now you got to figure out how to run that billy big rigger truck , you just got your hands on .. Lol
or if you brought your own unit , you get my drift....

Class on Day 4 starts a hour late you get to come in at 7-730 .

When you arrive you will notice there are no mileage guys in the class today . This is training day for CHOICE IC's ONLY ..

It starts out with a briefing of terms and what they mean and how to understand them and what they are such as ICA .. Etc . You will also get a sheet of paper with your ICA and ICR info on it and your home terminal . Which will be one of 2 places

GREEN BAY or CHARLOTTE . This really means nothing cause you run yourself now but it is part of day 4 . Your ICA / ICR info is really important info to know .

After the briefing of the terms, you take a break and then go into the load board it's self . Log in , Browse , Check freight , Understanding the screens , Load info , load assignments , VIEW LOADS and more .

You will then get your empty search assignment in which your paid for . You most likely will not book a load out of GB directly but things change so who knows .

**NOTE **
Your EMPTY search is paid the same as a Mileage Contract IC , I think it is paid at $0.92 plus fuel .. but remember your bob tail so good fuel mileage ..

YOU are then released to hit the road or go back to hotel

Have fun , Happy trails ...


More ore updates to come

JAR HEAD

 

The above posts concludes the information about ORIENTATION for IC CHOICE .

If you see a certain topic that has not been covered and you have a question about orientation please feel free to ask and if I do not know I will get you the answer that you need.

Hope the above listed entries gives you a good STEP by STEP wealth of knowledge so you will know what to expect during the 4 day orientation process.


JAR-HEAD

 

Thanks sir , I had that 10 in my head just wasn't sure

 

Company Driver'(s) Converting Over
TO
Schneider Choice Program

Schneider has made it possible for company drivers to convert over to THE CHOICE PROGRAM. You will get the same options of Financing your truck through Schneider Finance as a experienced IC coming in and purchasing one. You will also get truck selections also.

CLASS ROOM WORK

Company Converts DO NOT have to partake in allot of the class room work such as ; COMPUTER TRAINING , WORK FLOW, POLICES AND PROCEDURES , among other aspects because they have already done this training as a company driver.

DOT PHYSICAL

If you are buying a truck from Schneider Finance you HAVE TO take a DOT PHYSICAL . It is part of the Truck Lease requirement and it does not matter if you took one last week it is REQUIRED .. It is really not a big deal.

ROAD TEST

I f you are a company convert and you purchase a FREIGHTLINER you WILL NOT have to take the ROAD TEST .. However if you pick another brand of truck outside of what you had as a COMPANY DRIVER then you will . This will consist of ; ROAD TEST, COUPLING / UN COUPLING , PRE and POST TRIP.


Other Divisions of Schneider Choice ....

OPENING SOON !!!!

1. TEAM CHOICE = This is where teams will have their own load board and be able to pick TEAM ONLY FREIGHT . It was my understanding this program will be coming online really quick.

2. COMPANY CHOICE = I do not have much information on this but should be coming in the next year from what we were told in class.

3. BULK CHOICE = This is the TANKER DIVISION of SNI and they are considering doing choice with it also roll out we were told could be in the next 6-9 months .


Jar Head

 

JAR HEADS -
Quick Tips & Useful Information

1. The load board works best on - Google Chrome , Fire Fox . On Apple Devices PUFFIN BROWSER ( EDIT ) I also found the MERCURY BROWSER to work well on APPLE DEVICES

2. Be sure your always on time to class and don't hang out with the cool crowd cause you may find yourself not done with vital parts of class .

3. USE YOUR TIME WISELY .... And be sure every free second you get you get on the computer and get your courses done . I can't tell you how many folks don't do this and end up lagging in the end because they went outside to call momma 10x or smoke a carton of cigs .. Buckle down and get the job done and get out early on WEDNESDAY and get rested up and recover .

4. On Day 4 after class you will be asked to FUEL UP and go weigh your truck bob tail . The truck stop is just down the road get it over with ASAP so your not the guy who gets the call if you go back to hotel .. "WE NEED YOUR TRUCK WEIGHT " get this done when they ask and you won't have no issue at all .

5. DO NOT go to sleep in class depending on your teacher or instructor you may be asked to leave and reschedule .

6. If you have a question ask it . There is No dumb question .

7. Schneider Finance Guys ... DO NOT OVER INSURE YOUR TRUCK .. It's not the lottery and your only gonna get cash value of your truck .. TO EVERYONE GETTING INSURANCE ... THE APU ( if equipped ) is not your truck so add additional insurance to cover that or you will loose that investment a good number would be 8-10k for the unit . And list it as additional equipment on your truck , other wise it won't be covered .. Physical damage covers the truck only unless additional equipment is listed ..For .example. I owe 17k on my truck right now .. It's worth 37k cash value I have a TK - APU it's 4 yrs old . I insured my truck for 45,000 to cover the amount of the APU used cost to date installed price but the key is I listed it as additional equipment .

8. Forget about being a COMPANY DRIVER except for SAFETY . YOU are now a business owner and there is a learning curve to becoming successful out here . There are lots of us here on this board you can Lean on and we will be glad to help you with the Board , areas, LOCATIONS , you name it .

9. SNF GUYS AGAIN .... CHECK YOUR TRUCK OUT GOOD ... Even a NEW TRUCK can have issues . Just because it's new don't mean don't check it out . SNI will fix any issue you find with the truck if you let them know about it but they are not physic nor will they BABY SIT YOU .. They expect you to have common truck knowledge hence YOU inspect that truck to your liking . REMEMBER once you accept that truck it's YOURS .. WARRANTY don't cover everything and anything ..

10. WARRANTY : what is covered ? What's my responsibility ? Towing ? Roadside ?
Who covers what . That's what you need to know .

11. WHAT CAN I USE MY MAINT ACCOUNT FOR ? Not all things are allowable expenses be sure you know what you can use your Maint account for .

12. CONTENTS COVERAGE .. Are you a HOME OWNER ? If you are chances are your contents of the truck is covered by your home owners insurance . ( check your agent ) no need to double this up if your are already covered .

13. DRIVE LIKE YOU HAVE A BRAIN .. Your buying the fuel now and like I said forget about being a company guy and start being business minded . EVERY MPH over 55 mph costs you 1/10 of a MPG ( mile per gallon ) . if you drive it like your STOLE IT ... Better have deep pockets cause your truck will STEAL YOUR FUEL and cost you BIG ...

14. Always have a backup plan on the load board , know where your going and what's coming out . May be smarter to take that short hop 100 miles if it gets you to a 1.65 load rather than burn up your tires at 0.98 cause it's a long run .

15. CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE DAILY .. I can't say this enough , I even check the trailer tire pressure cause one low tire costs you fuel mileage .

16 . Know your costs , how much does it cost me to run my truck , in Fuel , PAYMENT , insurance , MAINT , etc .. What do you need to remain profitable . Remember your in business now .



JAR HEAD


Stay at tuned for more tips and tricks and advice ... From the US MARINE himself .

As always feel free to PM - ME anytime will be glad to MENTOR anyone who wants to know the INS & OUTS of being in business and the SCHNEIDER CHOICE PROGRAM .Yes , I have only been on Choice a short time .. However a MENTOR is a person who can guide you the right way in BUSINESS to become SUCCESSFUL . It is not all about the GROSS its about your NET MARGIN DAY..