New CDL holder looking for the next step

Can't speak to the bulk division as I was an IC on the van side, but just since I left July 1st, Schneider has continued the trend of “cost cutting” by providing drivers less and less. Incrementally, they’ve done away with some niceties the drivers enjoyed for years. Their driver communications systems, so-called improvements, have been a joke. It is decidedly NOT the company of Al Schneider or even Don Schneider.
Yes, I did ok there. But my timing in getting out was right.

 

Where else can a new cdl grad go to get a tanker career started? Looks like Simsboro is just off Interstate-20.

 

I'd recommend Welfare Express over Suckneider any day. And that's saying a lot lol....

 

howardtransportation.com/info/careers/index.cfm

• 107 Nehi Rd, Ellisville, MS 39437
• P.O. Box 586, Laurel, MS 39441-0586

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howardtransportation.com/Info/approvedschools.cfm
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I'll give you a suggestion based on many years, Overall theres more money in flatbed, but you will work a little harder. some of my most enjoyable trips have been made with a skateboard in tow.,Tankers (liquid) have a surge thats never ends, kind of sucks, easy unlload and load, money in tanker is chemical. Refers are alot of hurry up and wait, lots of parking lot time is not unusual. By far dry vans is easiest, lots of preloads and drop n hooks, as a old driver I kind of appreciate.
I would go with Maverick, TMC, or Melton depending on who offers what. Don't let people scare you off, there plenty os assistance available on load securement.

 

Soooooo many choices -- so little time!

Schneider veteran here....

I drove with them for almost 2 years....before moving on.

Congratulations -- on picking up a CDL!

A CDL of course opens the door to many different employment opportunities.


When other drivers say, "Schneider sucks"...or "Schneider blows"....or similar....well, I get that. I can definitely see where you are coming from. Otherwise -- I would still be there.

The neat thing about the mega-fleets...like Schneider & Swift (& Knight)....is that a driver who is brand new to the industry....can sample different types of freight there....without changing employers.

This availability of different freight types....allows one the flexibility of being a job hopper -- without really being a true job hopper.

The problem with tanker duty -- very few fleets will take a total rookie just out of CDL school, hire him or her -- & train them on tanker.

With that said -- the following tanker fleets have a history/track record of hiring total CDL rookies:

• Schneider National
• Western Dairy Transport
• Midwest Dairy Transport

Midwest is apparently being bought out by Western Dairy Transport.

Given your location in northern Louisiana -- I'm not sure if WDT would offer you an opportunity, or not. You might submit an application...& see what happens. No hazmat needed there -- it's all food-grade, smooth-bore tanker duty. GREAT TANKER TRAINING -- IF you can get it.

I see job ads for Schneider tanker all the time. This would suggest to me that their tanker division is at least somewhat of a revolving door. That's a bit of a "red flag".

Yes, indeed -- flatbed or tanker is far more interesting work -- but dry van offers the shortest, flattest learning curve...for becoming a truck driver. With dry van, as a rookie, you can truly focus much more on just learning to drive...& focus far less on futzing around with the trailer &/or load securement. This reduces your chances (as a rookie) of making a potentially expensive mistake.

With all of that said -- here's a video on a 2-year review of TMC. The video's maker has a series of videos on different topics with TMC that are actually pretty educational & well done -- & these should give you a much better idea of whether starting out in flatbed is really right for you:



Best of luck!

-- L

 

Congrats on the CDL; and you’re asking the right questions early, which already puts you ahead.

The reality for brand new drivers is that the “good companies” are usually good because of their training structure, not because they’re perfect employers. Programs like Maverick or TMC aren’t for everyone, but they do teach fundamentals the right way, especially for flatbed. The contracts aren’t great, but the experience you leave with is usually worth more than hopping around early.

Tanker can be a good long term path too, especially with hazmat, but most reputable tanker outfits want at least some verifiable experience first. That doesn’t mean it’s off the table; just that it may not be the *first* step.

Home time expectations are where new drivers get disappointed. Weekly home time is possible, but flexibility matters a lot early on, especially while learning.

Biggest advice I can give: don’t rush pay. Focus on learning load securement, trip planning, and safety habits now; those carry over into every better opportunity later. Getting the hazmat endorsement is smart even if you don’t use it immediately.

You’re thinking about this the right way. Patience in the first year usually pays off.

 

I'd go to TMC or Maverick first. Mainly to get experience behind the wheel. After you get a year or 2 in, and if you still want tanker, then make the jump. There's not a lot of options for beginner tanker companies, and it seems like most will train once you have tractor trailer experience. The only ones that I think do tanker training for students are Prime and Schnieder. I won't tell you not to go to either, but if you want tanker right out the gate, to my knowledge, those are your only options as a rookie. Flatbed has a few more options for new drivers, like TMC, Maverick, Melton, Western Express, Roehl.

 

Truck Driver | Keim TS

 

dont plan on being home much. the hazmat will always be a plus. You will have to pay your dues on the bottom if a company driver, but well worth it. Go for the Big bucks. i remember back in the late 70`s, i would call a company, and right away, ask, " What do you pay" saving a lot of foot work, they would always tell me. Remind you i ran local LTL half my driving career , then ran 25 years pharmaceuticals , best job in the world. Ill say it, " I wasnt good at it, i WAS GREAT at it." ha ha ha. for me, Trucking was a Great choice back in `74, and had a Real good time at it.