Why I Chose Schneider

Hi to all,

What a great forum for beginning drivers. Seeing all the “old timers” seems everyone is getting something good.

This is my first post, been lurking for some time. I went to a local school for my CDL.

I applied to four mega companies and three mid-size companies. I looked carefully at each company not just their recruiting site.

Schneider by far had the most information regarding their company. How they described themselves to customers and what services they offered. What really impressed me was the “Knowledge Hub”. White papers, case studies, news releases and really liked their “Position Papers”.

The recruiting site was better than most. Had all sorts of information on how their training worked, what to bring, how to qualify for different positions and the pay. The information was written and offered as UTube videos. The videos are bit cheesy but hey.

When I talked to recruiters, they answered my questions completely. They sent the information written (including pay, bonuses and merit increases). Also sent me short training videos, describing the work, what is required to do the work and what will qualify to do the work. The videos are a bit cheesy but hey.

All this information maybe at best propaganda, but the information is there. Schneider expected me to know and want this information. Schneider presents the information in a manner that isn’t to the lowest common denominator. Over all Schneider seem to go out of their way to present complete mostly up to date information including how they might like to improve the trucking industry.

All the other companies seem to have varying degrees of information. The recruiters for the most part did provide good information and would answer the questions in writing.

In contrast, a company I wouldn’t consider and why.

The corporate web site is about what you expect and find at most trucking companies.

The recruiting site is abysmal. The first thing I saw is a cartoon caricature (my take on the drawing) of truck drivers. No information on pay. No information on the training program. No information on what you can expect or how long. No information on the equipment they use. Other than the fact they do train, pay and you drive, there is no useful information.

On the phone, the recruiter described the length of mentor training (6 weeks) and the pay during training ($9.50 an hour driving & minimum wage not driving). After I finished training I would begin at 33cpm. Fair enough.

I then asked to have the information emailed to me including what the pay structure would be (Raises, bonuses etc.). The recruiter told me any further pay information would be “given during orientation”. My response, “That seems a bit late.” I want to know what the pay is after I begin the 33cpm. How does experience effect pay and how much? The recruiter said, “It is company policy” to discuss this information at orientation. We don’t email any other pay information.

Really?

The companies I submitted applications (7 in all), seemed more than willing to give all information up front and in writing, except for this one company. This one company maybe a great company to work for but the company in general seemed unwilling to disclose much information.

My decision to go Orange was based on the great information found on this forum. I also talked with instructors at the school and made the decision based on the best information I could find.

I am really looking forward to getting started. Must admit I am also a bit anxious in this new adventure, job, lifestyle.

Thanks to all for your great insight into the world of trucking.

Chuckerthe(wantabe)trucker.

 

I am going into tankers. Wish I would have known about glassdoor.com. Would have used that for more info. Know what you mean about the ambiguity. It is a bit confusing. I am sure there are going to be lotsa questions.