Schneider National Carriers - Green Bay, Wi.

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by Anonymous, Jan 22, 2005.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Forum Retiree

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    Feb 8, 2004
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    I am a solo driver with them and just got my w2 statement, I grossed $64187.44 last year as a flatbed glass hauler last year. This is the 1st company I have worked for that they are honest and dont cheat you on your pay. I like the big size of the company for the fact I am never sitting because they cant find a load for me. This company is honest and I am completley satisfied I made the switch from covenant to schneider in 2003. When I worked at covenant,it seemed as if they pushed you to get loads to places in a time frame that was impossible while you would get cheated on your miles also.
     
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  3. TurboTrucker

    TurboTrucker Road Train Member

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    Feb 23, 2005
    Rossville, Georgia
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    Schneider is another company that I have researched. They represent one of the finest turnarounds that this industry should look to, when they want to find a way to operate a trucking company.

    The one thing that has always impressed me about them, is that former drivers in almost all cases testify to having liked working there. The chief complaints was hometime and slow trucks (some people just like to go fast, I guess). They like to keep people busy, which is a good thing in my opinion.

    A decade ago, they had slipped into some terrible safety numbers, and extremely high turnover rates, and have completely reversed those numbers. They still have people leaving them, but do value experienced drivers, and are extremely picky on who they hire.

    Their training program is the best in the industry, and the pay while in training is far above what you will find elsewhere across the nation. Newbies will be subjected to the skid-pad, where a driver will learn to control a truck in adverse situations.

    They created a department where a driver who is running into problems can call in and find resolution. These people will get to whomever is necessary to resolve conflict. This should be a MUST for all carriers, in my opinion, because the operations department in most all cases has a full plate, and can't always deal with driver problems.

    For anyone who does not have the means to obtain training on their own will find it the atmosphere at Schneider a great way to economically enter the industry. They also have a very high retention record for those accepted into the training program, and it is not unheard of to find drivers that began and still are with Schneider for many years past their one year commitment.

    Also, in the past five years, they have moved a large chunk of their business into the dedicated arena, and if you are lucky enough to live in the right places or are willing to relocate, you can find some great dedicated freight positions that are coveted by many drivers, and these positions offer a better hometime environment.

    I'd give them a look in a heartbeat if I was seeking a job, and for newbies, it's one of the best options out there, bar-none. They are not perfect, nor are they for everyone who drives a truck, but the fact remains that they are doing more by far, than anyone out there to raise the standards of this industry to treat drivers with respect and to keep good drivers.
     
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  4. robert

    robert Bobtail Member

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    May 20, 2005
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    I think you may be in error regarding these numbers. I was told the retention rate for the last 45,000 students that graduated school was 1,600.

    Obviously, they are trying to improve that figure, but I was told to make my own guestimate of the 45k a few weeks ago and thought the answer would be somewhere in the 20-25% range. Quite a shock and that's really a helluva turnover rate no matter what way you look at it & has to be a disappointment in the cost-effectiveness evaluations.
     
  5. TurboTrucker

    TurboTrucker Road Train Member

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    Feb 23, 2005
    Rossville, Georgia
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    How would I be in error regarding any numbers? I didn't offer any. I stated that they had a high retention rate, and to be specific, it would be pertanent when contrasted to the retention rates of newbies at other training companies.

    I'm having trouble with your figures though. I don't have any inside info on what their EXACT turnover rates are at the moment, but I do know that they have significantly improved as I stated.

    What period of time did it take for them to accrue a supposed 45,000 graduates? They only run approx. 13,000 trucks. What your suggesting is the training of 3.5 drivers for every truck they run in whatever time frame this is supposed to cover. 1,600 drivers that have been retained is very plausable. I have every reason to think that this figure covers several years.

    There are some simple facts that could contribute to these numbers being true. Trucking is not for everyone, and anyone who has been used to a nine-to-five job and being home every night is not going to adjust to it easily. The job entails extensive traveling. It involves varying schedules that change sometimes on a daily basis. It involves interaction with people that may or may not be pleasant to deal with.

    Sometimes people like the IDEA of trucking, but are not prepared for the REALITY of trucking.
     
  6. robert

    robert Bobtail Member

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    May 20, 2005
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    RE: some more recent figures;

    I was told earlier this week; of the 15,500 drivers now with the company, more than 70% have less than 1 year tenureship with schneider.
     
  7. TurboTrucker

    TurboTrucker Road Train Member

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    Feb 23, 2005
    Rossville, Georgia
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    If indeed that figure is representative of the truth, then they are below the national average for truckload carriers, which is around 100%.

    My claim has always been that Schneider has VASTLY improved their turnover from what it was in the mid to late nineties, due to they way they have structured their company, and they way they value the driver.
     
  8. PortlandDriver

    PortlandDriver RIP, May You Be Heaventown Bound!

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    May 30, 2005
    Pacific Northwest
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    As you already know I drove for schneider, but it was in the late '90s. At that time, at least for me, it was a horrible company to drive for. The only contact I have had with schneider lately is a couple truck rail drivers and they have not said anything good or bad about the changes....
     
  9. TurboTrucker

    TurboTrucker Road Train Member

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    Feb 23, 2005
    Rossville, Georgia
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    When it all boils down, I don't know the exact conditions that one can expect from working for them, but I do have some basis for my opinion.

    For several years, with my own company, and in association with two others, I hired drivers. About 25% of the applicants that made my initial cut, had Schneider as one of their former carriers. In the interview process that I did, I always made it a habit to ask drivers about their former employers, to gauge attitudes. In almost all of those interviews, the drivers spoke highly about Schneider. The number one reason for leaving them was a lack of home time.

    I get alot of my current insight from a driver I know, who has been with them almost eight years now. I recently had contact with a higher level manager on behalf of a driver who needed a break, and they gave it to him.

    I feel that after years of declining conditions, Schneider is at least trying to improve conditions for drivers, and they are taking positive steps to improve their image with the public, drivers in general, and even with people like me, that do not even work for them. It's a hellova lot more than can be said my most carriers out there of their size. This is why I toot their horn.

    Every company has it's good and bad points, and not every carrier is for every driver. This is why people have to do their own checking out, in order to find out if they are a good fit for their needs and desires.
     
  10. bb king

    bb king Bobtail Member

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    Mar 14, 2005
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    Just finished the basic 11 day course with Schnieder. WOW, what a difference to Steven's. Very professional and much more involved. I feel as though I am a customer and that I am being welcomed as an employee. I have nothing bad to say about my experience so far. I will write in detail about Schnieder when I complete my week of orentation and get back home for a couple of days.

    If anyone is thinking about going with a company that puts you through school, Schnieder is top notch. (If you have read my previous posting, you know I have something to compare it to.)

    I will post again in 8 days.
     
  11. bb king

    bb king Bobtail Member

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    Mar 14, 2005
    LA, FL
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    To start with the begining. Schneider contacted me back pretty quickly. Also, there are plenty of ways to contact them as well. I have no problem finding the phone contact you need to contact them right away if they don't contact you. They are very professional.

    After contacting each other, they will want you to go through their on-boarding interview. At that time, they will ask that you take your DOT physical, urin exam, fax/mail them info that you need to be a trucker, i.e. birth certificat/passport for Canada entry, DL, SSN card etc... You will also have to take the tests at your home state to get your permit. At that point, you will be assigned to go to school. Keep in mind, they pay for most everything. Also, if you go to school within a certain time after filling out the application (I believe it is 20 or 30 days) you will recieve a $200 bonus.

    If you visit their web-sight, you can look up to see what positions they have available for you in your area. I chose to drive tankers and make 2 cents extra. I live in Pensacola, FL and I will be pretty much on a dedicated account out of Panama City, FL. That means my home time will be more great than others. My home Op. Center is New Orleans.

    Depending on where you live will determine which school they send you to. That is pretty easy to determine, just let me know where you live or ask them when you call. If you go to Charlotte training center, there are other benifits I will share with you if you decide to go. Just let me know.

    The class is 3 weeks long. You will go an intensive 11 days of initial training that gets you driving, turning, backing, pre-trip inspection, coupling/un-coupling, map reading, trip-planning, etc.... I attendended most of Steven's school and had heard their training is good. However, Schneider's training was much, much better!! They pay for everything to include your meals. You will then have three days off. You will need money only for meals during these days off. If you live close by, GO HOME! You need the break. If not, lounge by the pool and drink a beer in celebration. Then you attend a week called "jump-start". You will get issued $200 on that Monday to eat on for the next two weeks. During jump-start week is where you check out on all your skills. You will get processed into the system, get driver number, learn the computer system etc... This week goes pretty quickly and it is fun knowing that you are near the end. We graduated at 2pm on Friday and had the choice of going home for a few days or just rolling out with an instructor. I had to come home for a huricane. I was given a choice of staying at home for a week or so to recover from the storm (with pay). Either way, you will recive $300 that next Friday and every Friday till your over-the-road training is done. This takes 2 weeks with a training engineer. Then, you go to an Operating Center for three days or so to perpare for your driving skills test portion of your CDL. Then back to your home state where they provide a truck to take your skills test. You will then have a CDL and get your own truck. At that time, you will be driving for miles.

    As far as the school. They feel they don't do their jobs unless you are successfull. You truely feel as though you are their customer while you are in training. With Steven's and I heard with others, they will boot you if you have trouble right off the bat. Not with Schneider. I saw no one leave. Some had to stay and work on their skills a day or two during the three day break, but all where worked with till they got it down. The average ratio was two students to one trainer.

    This company evens buys you boots to wear.

    I had a very rough experiences with other companies till I ran into Schneider. Just look at their numbers. The turn-over rate is close to being the lowest in the industry. Great maintnance and accident rates. (means money in your pocket) Besides, they pay you if you are down for a certain amount of time. To include putting you up on a hotel.

    They hire a lot of ex-military, which translate to proffessionalism. Steven's trainers where a bunch of un-educated, angry, unsatisfied folk. However, I found Schneider mostly educated, many ex-military with great patients and teaching skills.

    I don't want to sound like a promoter for Schneider. However, you have very few opportunities to find companies that train you and don't make you feel like they are doing you a favor. They also lie their behinds off. I found Schneider to be up-front and not wanting to be just another mill. They want longevity (unlike swift, stevens, cr england, prime etc..).

    Please feel free to contact me by PM me back with other questions. I will be in town till Thurs morning, then off on the road for two weeks.

    Oh, also, the average time on the road is 2 weeks with 2 days at home. They take great pride in their home time. They also have a program where you can drive for 2 weeks and be home 1 week.
     
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