Schneider VS Heartland Express VS Roehl

Already stated above but I second it. If I could do anything all over again it would be using the grants, and anything else I could to get the CDL for free. Don’t do student loans, and company’s can hold it over your head if you get it through them. Like a minimum of 1 year or whatever else to make sure you work for them.

 

You do NOT want to be beholden to a trucking company. Get the CDLon your own.

As far as the three you mention, I can speak to Roehl. I worked there early in my driving career. They’re not horrible for a first stop, but you need to know they’re what’s referred to as a medium haul, irregular route outfit. That’s just a fancy way of saying you’re going to run a LOT of short hauls. And, it’s hard to make money when you spend half your days loading or unloading.

 

Go Schneider tankers. That will open up other options down the road.

Dry van is a dead end until you get an ltl gig.

 

If Schneider is requiring 3 months (or more) experience in your area for their tanker fleet -- then start off doing dry van there...& drop-&-hook loads.

STAY AWAY FROM ALL THE "DOLLAR STORE" ACCOUNTS -- Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc.

Don't let a recruiter sucker you in to one of those.

Instead -- make it a "fair fight" for a rookie: go instead with loads/accounts for Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Walmart, or Bass Pro Shops....places with decent room behind them for a 70-ft rig to maneuver without hitting anything.

After 6 months of that -- if your record is clean -- then they will let you transfer over to Schneider's tanker fleet.

Instead of doing the above -- I wanted more practice time with backing skills -- so at 6 months, I put in for a transfer over to their intermodal fleet....

"Where the rubber meets the rail"


-- L

 

Romy Schneider having coffee in truck-stop.

 

Footnote: if you do decide to go with Schneider's tanker fleet: they will expect you (at some point) to have/acquire both the tanker & hazmat endorsements.

They will also want you to get a "TWIC card" (just Google it).

Look at it this way: all these endorsements/credentials are just money-makers for later...

For their tanker fleet: you will do training at either their tanker training facility in Coraopolis, PA....or the other one in Houston, TX.

Hint: the summertime weather will be MUCH NICER in Pennsylvania (if you are in fact later given a choice).

-- L

 

Doesn’t Schneider still to sleep apnea test on everyone?

 

No

 

Oh is that new? Not like I’m worried about it, just don’t a place that requires it.