How long should i drive for my first company?

Ohhh never heard that before haha

 

Grind out that first full year if at all possible

 

I'm glad this topic came back up to the top. I wanted to add something a few days ago and forgot.

I would be most appreciative that when somebody finds that perfect job to let the rest of us know. I mean a job where you make $150,000+ a year, ALWAYS driving a new tractor yanking a new trailer. New fully equipped terminals where they do all maintenance on the trucks in 20 minutes and leave candy in the driver's seat. A carrier where you are never bothered by detention and their safety depts are (insert vulgar term for female genitals here)! A carrier that will fly you to orientation and put you up in a $1000 a night hotel as well after picking you up in a 45-foot limo! You find such a carrier please let me know!

For the rest of us common people, this job is work. There is ALWAYS going to be a downside somewhere. What set me off was a comment I just read. Why in the blue blazes are you taking a job as a driver and already looking at when you will leave? This attitude makes no sense to me whatsoever. I'm not a mental health expert, but I know enough about human nature to know that once you start going in that direction then everything starts to upset you, and finally, gasp, you become fodder for that loudmouth going on about how HIS carrier is as I described above! You listen to that mental pygmy and jump ship! Only to land in basically the same situation when you learn all that green grass is in fact astroturf!

I can't help but laugh sometimes at some of these comments. Not just in this thread but in others as well. It doesn't matter the subject! We could be discussing candy and somebody will say well I buy my candy at XYZ and it is the best because I need to sanctify my choice! This same principle can be applied to cell phone carriers, trucks, brands of coffee, etc! Sadly it's also the subject of this thread. When an active driver asks me about another company I will always return that question with this question. What's all of a sudden wrong with YOUR PRESENT carrier? Did you listen to some hot airbag at the petro lately? By my words DO NOT INFER I am saying it is wrong to change jobs. I am NOT trying to say this. Life is all about change. I just recently helped a lady get on with a local LTL carrier because she got divorced and moved to Norfolk back in July. She did work out a notice with her job back in Arkansas and moved here. Not a dang thing wrong with changing jobs because of a change in your life like that. However, changing jobs just because somebody has pissed you off is simply childlike. Attempt to fix the problem first! Just remember something about job-hopping! The chances of landing in astroturf are BETTER than 50 50! Give that some thought! Of course, your mileage may vary!

 

I agree 100 percent. 3 months of driving is no time. OP, learn how trucking works and develop a BS tolerance. My reason for staying one year, is you don't want to get into the habit of always looking for greener pastures. Granted some companies will require 3 or 6 mos or whatever, but I'd say stay with Schnieder as close to home year as possible. Here's time to hone your skills, see different situations, learn the industry. Don't worry about how people perceive Schnieder, or the pay, or anything else. If you can hone your skills, maybe get endorsements, most of all get experience, the money will take care of itself.

 

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I job hopped my 1st year because I refused to drive OTR so I had to find a local company that would keep me working steady. I've been at my current job 4 years now

 

If Schneider doesn't work for you anymore, then you have to find something else that does work for you, and that means applying to other companies. I'm on a similar boat as you (I've 6 months however). From personal experience:

75% of companies want you to have 1 year of exp
10% of companies want you to have 6 months of exp
10% of companies want you to have 3 months of exp
5% of companies want freshly graduates out of CDL school

If I were you, I'd start looking at new jobs. But beware, job hopping is not a good sign in any industry, trucking included. Make sure that the next gig you land is one that you see yourself doing for at least 1 to 2 years.

 

As someone recently returning to CDL work...

Now is the time to find the job you want. I got my CDL in 2010 to basically work for myself. I never went OTR and never wanted to. I ran my own business and needed a CDL for my farm.

Fast forward a decade and COVID-19 essentially destroyed my company and ai had to return to being an employee somewhere. Granted I used my CDL very much part time over this past decade. I've still gotten offered every job I've applied for (a few LTL companies and a few local class B places).

I'm not an authority on trucking obviously, bit I will still find a job that you're happy with.

Don't burn any bridges, but that whole "find a job that you love and you'll never work a day.." That's not always possible, bit I'd find a job that you're content with. Of you're asking about leaving, you've probably already talked yourself out of being able to enjoy the job you have.