I am also an HD dedicated driver. Been doing it for a bit over 3 months now. I would be happy to give the straight scoop on this account (out of York). I do not post comments in the public forum, but will answer questions sent in private to me.
Greetings all. I have been working the HD dedicated account for over 4 months now. Basically it is hauling empty ropacks (containers) from York PA to parts manufacturers, and returning with a load of full ropacks (brakes, seats, etc). I have enjoyed my time so far. I am a company driver, have a "slightly used" 2014 Cascadia (I took it with 30,000 miles on it), and have not had any issues with it. My DBL is a good egg, and tries to get me as many miles as I can handle, but there seems to be an issue with the HD contracted company that loads the trailers. They (as HD) are a union shop, and only work 4 10-hour days. So, if your trailer is not ready, you have to wait until they start working again (I believe it is 3rd shift Sunday night). We have our own yard jockeys, to move the trailers from the contractor (drop yard) to the actual Harley yard for pickup (a few miles from each other). I am a disabled vet, and was semi-retired before the wife told me to "get a job". I have been driving for about 7 months total (started with Swift...big mistake). So far, I get paid on-time, and enjoy what I am doing. I make a decent CPM, but am always bugging my DBL for more miles. I do not blame the folks in Green Bay (where we are dispatched from). They had over-hired for the HD dedicated, and had been trying to spread the miles around. A number of drivers have quit or transferred to other divisions due to the mileage, but I am hanging in there to see how things shake out. The term "dedicated" is not really accurate, as your loads are not always going to the same customers. You are dispatched to a variety of drops, depending on what is being provided by HD. As to hauling completed bikes to dealers. I have never had this happen. Crane Transportation has the HD contract to move completed bikes to dealers. I have dropped parts at Crane (seats usually), but have never taken a load from there. All-in-all, compared to Swift, it has been a very good experience. When the bugs are finally worked out, things will go a lot smoother. Another thing that the DBL's do, as Harley closes down several times a year, is to have us go out to Bedford PA and haul Wally World freight (usually frozen dairy in a reefer trailer). The last time I did that, the Walmart dedicated SNI drivers had a problem with several of us taking loads away from them, since we got priority. I do not want to take food out of their mouths, but after 21 years in the military, I have learned to do as I am told. Bottom line, compared to what I have read and personally experienced, SNI is not a bad place to work. I enjoy the HD account (as I ride a HD trike myself). I did notice that they have stopped advertising for dedicated drivers/teams for HD, as I guess they are still struggling to keep those of us on the account hauling freight. So far, this upcoming week looks good for me. Two loads to the Midwest and back (about 2900 miles). Hope HD does not make (yet another) sudden change in planning so I can do both loads.
Thanks. I absolutely LOVE driving. I just do not like to feel like a disposable commodity, since we are the ONLY reason that there IS a Schneider National. It breaks my heart, as I had hoped to retire with them, but not the way that things are going.
If you only have a year of your time invested with them, it sounds like it is time to start doing some serious job searching! They have given, (hah, Bad term, YOU HAVE EARNED) some experience with them. That's good, but since you are obviously not happy with them, it's time to move on. I would, and have out up with a lot of crap from companies. Of course, I've also dished out my share. But when it comes to empty promises and the company going back on their word, I just don't tolerate that!
