Please Advise

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ibarra4602, Jan 4, 2017.

  1. ibarra4602

    ibarra4602 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 22, 2013
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    Hello,
    This is my first post and I'd like any advice you all have to offer. I live in San Antonio, Texas. I've had my cdl with tanker and hazmat endorsements since 2002. Since then I have only driven tanker bobtails, tandem dump trucks, and ready mix trucks as this is all I was able to find locally that would hire me without tractor-trailer experience. I've never been over the road because I wanted to stay close to home. Now that my kids are a little older I am now able to take the plunge and go OTR to get the experience I need. My ultimate goal is to drive a tanker locally. I've been researching companies but there aren't many that will hire me without having me take a refresher couse or doing the entire course all over again. I've decided on Schneider (regional) at .32 per mile. They'll bus me to Dallas for orientation/training and I should have my truck in about 3 weeks. My problem is that now I have been in contact with a local construction company that is willing to hire me at $15 an hour plus over time to drive a ready mix truck. The selling point there is that they have all different types of equipment(flatbed,belly dump,& end dump and they said they would train me on a tractor trailer in the near future. They've let other drivers move up before. My question is should I bide my time with the construction company even though it may take longer or just go for it and go regional with Schneider for 6 months to get the experience I need? The recruiter said I average between 1700-2200 miles a week and they can start me on the January 10th class. I'm torn on this decision and any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
     
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  3. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I would rather go with Schneider.Construction sucks.
     
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  5. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    The construction company gig is more in line with The Goal.
     
  6. Texas_hwy_287

    Texas_hwy_287 Road Train Member

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  7. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Schneider ... what are they telling you home time will be like in San Antonio? I know you will be in the Houston and Baytown areas a lot but not sure how much San Antonio traffic you can expect to see. But to maybe work hauling fuel locally or regionally like with Coastal, you're probably going to need some "quality" tank experience, preferably at least on a regional scale and Schneider is probably as good as any.
     
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  8. TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

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    Check with Trimac regional for tanks
     
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  9. Stormy 69

    Stormy 69 Medium Load Member

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    Doesn't Keenan Advantage tank corp run down there?
     
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  10. ibarra4602

    ibarra4602 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 22, 2013
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    Recruiter is telling me home every 5-7 days for restart. I would love to get tanker experience right away but Schneider told me I need 3 months recent experience to be able to apply for their tanker division. So really I'll have to do 6 months in the regional position before I can transfer to their tanker division.
     
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