Been thinking about getting my Class A for awhile now. Need info. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by chrismcallister34, Aug 18, 2022.

  1. chrismcallister34

    chrismcallister34 Light Load Member

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    Oh wow, I could've swore I read somewhere that it was minimum 1 year experience. But, that's not my main focus right now. Even when I do get hired. Hopefully it's Schneider. Who knows, maybe I'll like Schneider or Swift, etc., and end up staying longer. Time flies when you're having fun. Driving and seeing the open road is just something that I enjoy, and I find that soothing and comfort in it. As for trying out different divisions, I've given thought about flatbed and possibly tanker. Probably flatbed more because one day way down the road I could see myself hauling one of those specialty loads or oversize loads. And being prior military, I've given some thought about maybe obtaining either a secret or top secret security clearance, and running government loads. Whatever clearance would be required. I've learned one thing though; the sky's the limit in the trucking industry.

    But on a serious not, how good is Swift as a starter coming from a safety standpoint? Are they as good as Schneider when it comes to safety? The only thing I don't like about Swift is how they run their OTR training. I don't know how I feel about running the training as a team operation while doing my training. I like how with Schneider my trainer is right there in the passenger seat at all times. Which is one of the main reasons why they're is my go-to.
     
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    @chrismcallister34 --

    Sadly....I have no experience whatsoever with Swift, so I can't comment intelligently on their training process.

    At least two drivers here on the Forum, @Moosetek13 & @Six9GS, I think are both Swift veterans, and can probably answer your training questions there pretty well.

    As for Schneider's training--that's one place which is either a major advantage, or a major disadvantage--depending on your perspective.

    When I went out with a trainer at Schneider--I was only with said trainer for a mere 4 AND A HALF DAYS.

    After that--Schneider assigned me a tractor....and the rest is history.

    Thus--my experience there suggests your time out with a trainer will be VER-RY SHORT.

    Too short--in many people's opinions (including mine).

    Swift, on the other hand, will keep you out with a trainer for several weeks (which is obviously much better for a beginning driver).

    Also--I would wager that your odds of seeing most (if not all) of the lower 48 is much better while running with Swift--than Schneider.

    --Lual
     
    chrismcallister34 Thanks this.
  4. chrismcallister34

    chrismcallister34 Light Load Member

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    Oh wow, I didn't realize i
    t was it was that short. I knew that Schneider's was short, but not that short. From what I've gathered, it's 2 to 3 weeks which is still short compared to most. So I guess there's pro's and con's to everything. I guess I'll just take everything with a grain of salt. I appreciate all of the information and insight you've given. You've been a lot of help, and have given me a lot of insight. At this point, and with my history, I'll be happy with whoever takes me on-board and gives me a shot.
     
  5. BlueThunderr

    BlueThunderr Medium Load Member

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    I know I had heard some good things about that company and talked to one of their drivers once who was happy with them...Think they get paid hourly which can work out good sometimes
     
  6. chrismcallister34

    chrismcallister34 Light Load Member

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    Yeah hourly could work out be beneficial, especially if there's a lot of detention time. But from the looks of it on their website, they seem to pay cpm with a weekly guarantee. And from what I've gathered and researched, their driver requirements are 1 year minimum so maybe they've changed it from 3 years from what Lual was saying. But who knows.

    But anyway, aside from that, me just now getting started in the business, that's not my main focus right now. Just one of my goals as they seem to be a pretty good company who takes care of their employees.
     
  7. Terlingua

    Terlingua Medium Load Member

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    If you're getting your CDL through Schneider, then your total training will be about 5 weeks, 3 of which are combination classroom, backing, and on-road practice, and two on a trainers truck actually delivering freight.
     
  8. chrismcallister34

    chrismcallister34 Light Load Member

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    Once I start my OTR training on a trainers truck, if after those two weeks I feel I'm not ready to do my test for my CDL, would it be wrong or could I ask for extra time like a week or so with the trainer to gain more experience and stuff?
     
  9. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    The "training engineers" at Schneider's terminals are arguably some of the best in the business.

    I never met one with whom I was not impressed.

    They are not just very good coaches--but they also have impressive resumes as people, in general.

    When I got off my trainer's truck, however.....he was a different story.

    Let's just say he was nothing to write home about.

    I didn't want to go back out with another trainer--if they were anything like him.

    If you get 2 weeks with Schneider on a trainer's truck--that's DOUBLE (and then some) from what I got.

    With that said...please accept my sincerest "congratulations"....:p

    --Lual
     
  10. Terlingua

    Terlingua Medium Load Member

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    The instructors and trainers are evaluating your performance all through the process, and have to sign off on you moving through each step. I doubt they would let you get to the point of taking the CDL test if they don’t think you’re ready. I also don’t think anyone one ever really feels ready to take the test. I know I didn’t, but my instructor felt confident in my abilities and sure enough I passed the first try. I got my CDL through a private school before joining Schneider, so my training was the shorter 3-weeks. The main difference is the you’ll have the 2 weeks on trainers truck driving on your permit, and then go back the 5th week for any final practice and testing.
     
  11. chrismcallister34

    chrismcallister34 Light Load Member

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    Yeah I've heard the same. I'll sacrifice a little bit lower pay and slower trucks if it means better training and an overall a better training regiment, and safety put before anything else. In every line of work I've done, safety has always been the top priority, especially when I worked in the oilfield, so it has just stuck with me
     
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