Choice program on the West Coast - from company driver to IC

Bump................

 

SADWAR: I asked this question on a different thread but didn't really get any clear answers. Thought maybe you could help...
As a Schneider company driver, does Schneider make you run 'balls to wall' to make preset appointment times with shippers? Or do you have a little cushion between stops? The reason I ask is if I sign on to Schneider (or anyone else for that matter) as a company driver, it would simply be for the required OTR experience to move on to 'IC' - NOT the need to make a 'bunch' of money (Insert smart ##s reply here. HAHA!). Being that I paid off all of my debts, I wouldn't need to run crazy miles to make money. In other words, is it possible to run 'casual' as a company driver or do they schedule you pretty tight? Thanks for your input!

 

I'm sure Sadwar will chime in here soon.. When I ran company at first did to seem to get into "ball's to wall" situations until figured things out. Typically they give you a decent amount of time to get your loads done. Once I figured out how to use the NAT "Next Available Time" That smoothed everything out! If you do get a load that is tight! I would just call my DBL let him know what's up and when my ETA was going to be. They never had a problem with that because sometimes your the best available truck.. Best thing about running company first was learning how to trip plan and developing that skill! . If you can't get a load done for whatever reason the first thing they ask is "when will you get there"?? "what's your ETA". That being said there are some loads that are "critical time sensitive loads" but usually you won't be given these type of loads until you gain some experience and/or will review it with your DBL to make sure you can deliver on time.


As IC you will need to be able to trip plan effectively and most likely not going to just take your time on getting your loads done unless you got a big bank roll! lol ..Sometimes you can but typically not.. I been running "balls to the wall" the last 2 weeks but it's been what I wanted to do so I can get some quality play time in at home..

Trip planning has been one of most useful skills and you will want to perfect it in this job. It is one very important key to profit as an IC and company driver.

I'm rambling now... but hope this info helps!
Best of luck in your ventures!

 

Thank you for your replies! The main reason I asked this question is that I've heard nightmare stories of sitting at a dock for hours waiting to be loaded and was wondering how bad that throws off ETAs. With ETAs being off, does this result in running like a madman to try and 'catch up'? Another reason I asked is if I'm going to be 'owned' for 33cpm +/-, not making any money, do I really need to run myself ragged or can I just take it easy? Company driver to me is just a stepping stone to becoming an IC. I've heard job hopping is frowned upon in this industry so I'm thinking of going with Schneider all the way. I'm also assuming an easier transition from company to IC. Thanks again for your input.

 

As a company driver, does Schneider dictate what routes you are to take? Or can you change them up sometimes, like taking a 'back way'? Also, are you required to stay at a Truck Stop every night or can you park wherever you want? I guess I'm just wondering how much flexibility you have as a Company driver. Thanks!

 

They really don't care as long as its legal and you get the load there on time. If you go out of route and it goes over the predetermined mileage then it counts against you as out of route miles. I'm not sure if it affects your bonus any more or not. I never got the bonus because of this, I ran out of route to avoid certain areas all the time. Never said anything to me about it, but it did prevent me from getting the bonus. If you started running out of route excessively I'm sure something would be said.

You don't have to park at a truck stop, you can park at some customers if they allow it, rest areas, weigh stations, some Wal-Marts, SNI OCs, etc., it's up to you. SNI doesn't tell you where to park, but they do have a couple rules about where you can NOT park, such as no parking on on/off ramps, on the side of the road, etc. Obviously parking at the strip mall in a bad part of town with a high-value load would not make SNI happy, but honestly they probably wouldn't even know unless something happened.

 

Great info! Thanks for taking the time to share!
Note to self: No parking outside strip clubs (I mean strip malls)

 

You can park where you want as long as it's legal too some strip clubs give free showers and not the golden variety either.................Well they might if youre into that and pay extra.....LOL