Starting Schneider Bulk

Welcome aboard.

I know right now it seems like there is a lot of pointless BS. While there is a lot of BS, most of it has a point. We created the "Schneider Way" because we've found that it is the efficient and safe way to get stuff done. Initially it will be appealing to "just get it done and get rolling". Take your time, do things the way they need to be done. Over time you can create your own way, but before you do make sure you understand WHY Schneider does it the way they do it. My Dad taught me that before I break any rule I should know three things:

1. Why was the rule was created?
2. What is the punishment is for breaking the rule?
3. Am I willing to accept that punishment?

Same idea for Schneider's processes - know why it exists and make sure you are fulfilling the underlying goal. Avoid saying "I'll come back and do/fix that later", you won't remember. Fix the problem, then continue on to the next step.

Spend some time reading your "Highway to Success" book. Not just right now, but in the coming months. Right now you're being inundated with information. In a couple months you'll have a wider knowledge base and as you read the manual you'll discover"new" things, learn about things that you thought you understood, and relearn things you've forgotten.

When you go out with your trainer - listen and ask questions. If he's talking about Schneider, trucking, or customers, it's generally something you should know. Make sure you understand and don't just say "yeah I got this". When you ask questions, ask them intelligently. There is a difference between "Is this my turn?" and "Is this Oneida Street?" and "What street am I looking for again"?. The first is a brain dead question. It indicates you aren't paying attention or making an effort. The second is a clear indication that you are trying to do things right, but need help and guidance. The third is an admittance that you screwed up, but you noticed it and are trying to make things right. The more questions of the second and third type you ask, the more you'll get out of your trainer. The more brain dead questions you ask, the harder the road experience will be.

Don't be afraid to say "I'm overwhelmed" or "I'm tired". Especially when your TE says something like "We've got 150 miles to get to where we need to shut down, do you want to make the drive or would you prefer I do?". TE's understand y'all are new and can't run as hard as we do, and generally don't have a problem giving you a break - provided you communicate that you need one. One of my big pet peeves is when I ask that question and don't get an honest answer.

Other random thoughts:

• Initial road tests being done with a dry van isn't because they're worried about y'all tearing up the bulk trailers - it's that there are more van trailers around and they're longer, so if you can clear your intersections with a van with the tandems at 43, then you can clear a tanker no problem. Plus you're less likely to roll the sucker by tossing it into high reverse and jacking it to 90 degrees.
• Track your miles/pay. Create a spreadsheet with load number, dispatched miles, miles run, mileage pay, accessory pay, etc. Figure out which loads ACTUALLY pay you the best. On the account I'm running right now we have a guy, "Tim", who constantly whines to get the "longer runs" because "he needs the miles". Miles does not equal pay.
  
  • I run fewer miles than "Tim", burn the same amount off the 70, yet make 20% more than he does. Part of that is I run efficiently. The bigger part is I understand how I get paid and have had conversations with OPs about how I want to run. Everyone has their own style and what works for them, but so many drivers don't understand their pay structure and end up making dumb decisions.
    
  • Given a choice between a 3,000 mile week with an average length of haul of 750 miles, or a 2,000 mile week with an average length of haul of under 100 miles, I want the 2,000 mile week because I will get paid more per unit of work.
  • It will also make it easier for you to figure out which job offers are a step up and which are, at best, a lateral move.
• It's not about the load you're on right now, it's about the next load. Set yourself up for success.
  
  • Pay attention to where customers are so when you need to dead head to safe/legal parking you can head in the right in the right direction
  • If you have to run OOR to S/L, message ops and get a routing point put in so you get paid for the miles.
  • Schneider will reimburse you for showers, so if you have to overnight someplace where you don't have a shower credit you can get cleaned up on Schneider's dime. That said, I generally don't use this option too often. Most of the time you can stop at a Pilot or OC the next day.
• Schneider pays you to drive a truck, not abuse your body. Take breaks, take time to eat/shower, take care of yourself.
• If OPs is playing games, don't be afraid to go over their head.
• Hide a key outside the truck - 80% of new drivers lock themselves out in the first 90 days. The GB VTL 90 day DBL has a list of locksmiths.
• Whenever you leave the truck make sure you have your wallet, cellphone, and keys. You never know when the truck next to yours will spontaneously combust and take your truck with it. If you have your wallet, cellphone, and keys you can start solving problems.
• Keep your cellphone charged.
• Reset your tablet every morning. Drivers get crabby with how "slow" the tablet is, but when asked "when was the last time you reset the tablet?" they give you a blank look. Some of the programs are memory hogs and will hoard RAM. Resetting avoids this problem. You should also clear the caches a least once a month (ask your TE/DTG instructor for the steps, I don't have my tablet in front of me).
• Manually refresh your messages every time you stop and just before you head out. For some reason the messaging app doesn't always refresh itself.
• Focus on the details - whether you're PTI-ing, signing BOLs, trip planning or anything else.

Finally, at some point (probably several points) in the next six months you will be frustrated to the point of tears or beyond. It happened to all of us. Just remember it will get easier. A few years ago my trainee and I got sent into a customer that I hadn't been to since I was a new driver. It was such a traumatic experience that I remembered the customer even after a half a million miles had passed since the last time I'd been there. I prepped my guy good, but when we got there it was anti-climatic. Everything was just as I remembered it (##### random telephone pole that wasn't connected to anything was still blocking the dock), but I had more and better skills so it wasn't bad at all. So when you're in the smelly stuff, just take a breath and know you'll get through it.

 

This is great advice

 

I would say Schneider in general, even for dryvan, is a good place to go for training and experience. Listen, learn, keep your nose clean, and double your pay within a couple/few years.

 

Truth, I was with Schneider for a minute in Indy, the company I took my CDL Training from didn't really teach proper backing technique after my 3 weeks with the orange pumpkin, I wasn't an expert (still NOT) but I felt a lot more comfortable with backing, when I was doing my week of ON ROAD training, we where on the Dollar General Acct out of Gary Indiana Terminal, and had a few hours to wait for our trailer to be ready at the DC, and the safety guy came out and said, "Do you guys wanna go practice different backing maneuvers" Well being a former firefighter I NEVER Turn down a training opportunity from someone with MORE knowledge then me, so we spent about 2 hours backing through different scenarios, sight side, blindside, 90 degree, 45 degree, tight dock maneuvering. Really learned a lot, was a great experience and I ONLY left them because a BETTER job came up... Best of luck they really are a good company.

 

They are a great training company. Eventually you will either need to move on or become an owner operator with them to make money.

 

Unless you get on with the right dedicated account and understand how to run. I know guys who are making $85K, I also know guys who are making $50K. It all depends on how smart you work.

 

I was making bank for the time on Procter & Gamble. $50k in 2003 wasn't half bad for a rookie. I ran like an absolute demon, though.

 

Absorb everything during your 2 weeks with your TE. The 1 week i spent with mine was just me sleeping the whole time cause we just ran a dedicated no touch route.

I felt bad for the other 2, yes other 2, was 3 of us on his truck and the other 2 were like you inexperienced drivers that were just getting about 20 miles each of drive time each day and that was it. No unloads or anything and they were going to be upgraded like that, so you already have been placed with a very experienced and helpful TE.

Out of all the companies I have worked for Schneider has the shortest training for inexperienced drivers at just 2 weeks out compared to the 4 week norm a lot of other places use. However even as a experienced driver with no tank experienc we just get 1 week of training out.

Hope your enjoying all that pizza as well, cause back in my day we were stuffed with subway after subway *shiver*