Please help with deciding company to work/train for

Hello, I am based out of Omaha Nebraska. My roommate is currently working for Werner on the Dollar General account. He is about 6 weeks in and, while he admits it's hard work, he is making great money for just starting out, $1800/week. Most weeks he has been home for 3 days so really, he could make much more. Now I have read plenty of threads about staying away from this account as it is not safe for new drivers and is hard work. I'm not as put off by the hard work part, I'm young and have worked much harder jobs for 1/3 the pay. But I am concerned about safety and keeping my record clean. Although my roommate has said he hasn't had too much of a problem with the DG's in the midwest region as they are big open lots for the most part compared to say, southern DG's where he trained at.

I also need to obtain my CDL, with these concerns in mind about the DG account I have also been looking into working for Schneider out of Omaha. They pay for CDL training and the contract I am looking at has no-touch freight with unloading in areas that, I assume, are much safer to back in. Though it is significantly less pay, around $1300/week. But it could be better in the long run by being safer, and keeping my record clean. I will attach a picture of the contract for Schneider below. Please let me know your thoughts, thank you very much.

 

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this, but in my experience, it's hard to beat Schneiders CAT program for company paid training. The training is generally very good, and Schneider has a lot of support for new drivers. The contract term I believe is only 9 months, and if you did leave, the amount you would owe is a lot less than most CDL schools. I don't know anything specific about that account, but dedicated is definitely where the higher pay is at with Schneider. With the account I'm on, I'm usually at the high end or even a little above the "average" pay. I could make a bit more if I really ran hard, but I like to spend a night or two at the house during the week. Schneider won't push you.

The downside is, as most will tell you, their starting pay for new drivers is pretty low. You do get raises at the 6mo and 1yr mark, plus the performance bonus. I started at 44cpm and am now at .52cpm about year and a half in.

 

Appreciate the reply, this is a really tough decision for me. While Schneider has better and cheaper training and is no touch freight, that pay does hurt. My roommate is getting 82cpm + a bunch extra per store and per trailer. I would like to know if the contract I posted above with Schneider is easy warehouse backing or not because that is a key part of my decision making.

 

Have you looked at Crete ?

 

Ask the recruiter the name of the customer(s) you would be delivering to, and google earth some of their locations. Your roommate is earning every penny of that $1800! And by the sounds of it, you're not ready for that. Work for Schneider for one year, build up your skills and confidence, then re-evaluate.

 

Usually when it's a really high cpm like that, it means there are fewer miles. The "dollar" accounts do pay well, even at Schneider, but it's definitely earned. I'm guessing since the position you posted is referred to as a "Shuttle" it's probably warehouse to warehouse, but hopefully someone with more information will reply. The recruiter should also be able to get you that information.

 

Crete requires 1 year of experience ever since they laid off people during COVID. Also, the plan is to get the 1-year experience and then find something local or go with Crete.

 

It is fewer miles but so far his weekly pay has been very good. Its also a new DC as well, so a good opportunity to gain some quick seniority and get the better loads.

 

You need to accurately & honestly evaluate your ability & personality. If you "go with the flow" or see good outcomes in difficult situations as being something other people need to take care of, then avoid any and all dollar type store accounts for any and all trucking companies. If your past jobs are ones where you just need to be a cog in the big machine, avoid the dollar type stores. If you see the good outcome as your responsibility despite others doing the bare minimum, or even much less, and you take charge and do things carefully, despite everything, you may do well on Werner's DG account. Most newbies are terrible at backing trailers, avoid it like it's a disease, and make excuses when they hit things. Only you know if YOU HAVE A HISTORY of stepping up to challenges or not. This isn't some sort of psychological scheme to get you to jump into the deep end with sharks. It's a request you evaluate you. If you back well, maintain the professional standards, even when you have no witnesses, it could work for you. Most newbies have only worked under strict supervision doing minor things and can't leave their phone alone for even an hour. If that's you run from these difficult dollar type accounts with whatever trucking company has them. You can easily make yourself unemployable in a few weeks if you don't know what you are doing.

 

We both come from making no real money, we are both 25 years old. We have worked 12hr shifts in a warehouse together making $19/hr. I constantly ask him, what does the physical labor compare to back then? He says it's tough, but nothing compared to that. He also says he spends around 10hrs/week actually unloading. Not too afraid of hard work for better money. He's new to trucking and it's working for him, but yes, I'm not sure if I want to take that much saftey risk for my first job even if the money is there.