Trimac vs Schneider Bulk

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by ethos, Jun 15, 2014.

  1. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I was going to wait and do this later but I can't sleep. Let's start with a few disclaimers, I am on my phone so please forgive spelling and grammar. Also, I am relatively new to Trimac and I reserve the right to change my opinions. I don't have a plan for this thread and it may get long. If all you care about is pay then read no further, Trimac wins big. Also, and this is huge, I am on the Elite Fleet and I am not a normal branch system driver. I have no idea about how the individual branches operate. So please if a Trimac driver reads this understand that I claim no knowledge of your daily routine. All of my info is Elite Fleet only!!!!!!! Everybody please understand that.

    I was happy with Schneider, I was paid well, respected and had a good support team. I shopped around back in November and realized I was underpaid. This started to nag on me and I requested a raise. This never happened and was really my biggest reason for leaving. I called around and put it apps with the usual suspects, Superior, Cobb, A&R, Quality but settled on Trimac.

    Why Trimac, well for one their pay package was outstanding but also because actual managers called me and did actual interviews instead of just checking to make sure I had a pulse. 4 managers called me and the process took about a month, they were up front with the fact that they are very picky. It impressed me. So here it goes, some comparisons between the two.

    1. On boarding- Schneider was definitely smoother and easier. Orientation was better at Trimac though because I was the only one, lol. Training of course was way longer at Schneider but it's not really fair to compare them here. Truck assignment and first load was very quick at Trimac. I had my truck before I even got out of orientation......Winner- Trimac.

    2. Culture- Both are similar but Trimac is definitely more driver retention focused. Both companies have very friendly and professional people working for them. Both companies can solve problems and both want you to succeed......Winner- Trimac.

    3. Operations- Schneider has a far better dispatch system. It's smooth, it's on the Qualcomm so you ways know your miles and what you are doing. Any change is always sent via QC. Trimac still uses paper and the phone with the QC being next to useless. Schneider directions are easy to pull and usually very accurate. Trimac directions are terrible. You cannot do DVIRs on the QC at Trimac, which is crazy to me but I'll live. At Schneider you just drop trailers at a tank wash pick up a new clean one and go. Waiting for a tank at Schneider is so rare as to be almost nonexistent. Trimac usually makes you wait to wash out and you pull the same trailer everywhere. Wait times are paid hourly however and so far it has not been a terrible problem, just very inefficient and I can see a problem in the future. Especially when your trailer has a problem and you can't get another.
    Winner.....Schneider, big time.

    4. Equipment- Schneider has better equipment. They are set up better. The trucks are typically newer. Schneider trailers all have bleeder valves on the external as well as a rubber jumper hose on the fender that you connect to your compressor. Trimac has no bleeders, you use a fitting with a bleeder on it, and you have to use your air hose for air offs. Sorry but Schneider has a far better set up. You can't judge quality by how shiny the tank is going down the road. I never had a problem with Schneider maintenance. Schneider does have some old trucks but most are newer. On the truck issue both companies are very close.

    5. Pay- Trimac all the way. .55 cpm loaded and .40 empty. However out and back is paid 75% loaded. 16.25hr detention or waiting on the tank wash. No load/unload pay. Layover is paid after the 16th hour and is 16.25 hr. Schneider is .45 cpm all miles. Miles can be hard to come by. 25 dollars load and unload, 65 for a layover and 10 for detention. No Holiday pay, which always ticked me off. Trimac does pay holiday pay. I'm sure I'm forgetting some but for your average run that should cover it. Trimacs average is 80,000 a year. I have talked to several drivers and most are getting that and more.

    6. Elogs- Schneider has a far better system that is much more lenient on the driver. It is very difficult to explain so just trust me o this one.

    7. Drivers- Trimac has by far the quality drivers on average. But Schneider is a training company so keep that in mind. Trimac does have happier drivers, that I can promise you.


    In conclusion, even if Trimac doesn't work out for me for whatever reason I probably would not go back to Schneider. I'm happy I switched, there have been no lies and the money has been incredibly good. I would highly recommend Trimac to anyone. For you rookies that can't get on with Trimac though don't discount Schneider, they are great to start with. Trimac can be a confusing company when looking at it from the outside as it is a branch system company. Meaning not all branches are the same. It isn't easy to get on here, they care about the quality of their drivers but it is worth the effort. If you're looking for a change then Trimac may be for you. As for me, I'm thinking I have filled out my last application, I think I'm home.

    I will probably add more to this later as I suck at these long descriptive posts. Any questions feel free to ask.
     
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  3. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Basically, from what I've seen and from the other drivers I have met, the 80k thing is for real. They are not joking or lying.
     
  4. ryan5464

    ryan5464 Light Load Member

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    I'm guessing Trimac won't take on someone with only 6 months exp though huh? I had talked to you a while back about Schneider not letting me hire on because I was too far from the tanker hiring terminals. Still haven't been able to get over that obstacle.
     
  5. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Any tank experience?
     
  6. ryan5464

    ryan5464 Light Load Member

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  7. david123abc

    david123abc Heavy Load Member

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    Is the elite fleet the one where you stay out a minimum of 2 weeks? I seem to remember you being a runner at Schneider.
     
  8. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Correct. Highest paid fleet in Trimac. There are only 10 of us presently but they are looking to ad more.
     
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  9. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Sorry, but I doubt they would take you. Wouldn't hurt to try though.
     
  10. Orange713

    Orange713 Medium Load Member

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    Do the elite guys runs out of bay area terminal
     
  11. ryan5464

    ryan5464 Light Load Member

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    I want in the elite fleet. Get me on ethos. I'll give you a hundred bucks o.0
     
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