New in Schneider

See if you can grab some lunch coupons from a class that is graduating. Then you can get some more free meals.

 

Do they pretty much want you to double clutch most of the time? Will they help you get your tanker endorsement or do you need that before you go to training?

 

Double clutching is the only way they want you to shift. How you do it after you get your truck is up to you. Just as long as you double clutch during training and on your SQT and follow-up safe checks.

The tanker endorsement is easy. Unless you live in Tennessee. You're pretty much stuck then. You have to have 1 yr truck experience before TN will give you a tanker endorsement.

My state CDL book had maybe 4 pages on tankers. That's how easy or "we don't care about tankers attitude" that Florida has it.

So yeah, they'll prep you for your state's cdl test and to get your X endorsement.

You need to have your cdl permit before you go. But you don't need to know any tanker info (or very little) to get that.

 

REV,
How is it going out there now? You have been out there a few months now. How do you like it? Also, how do you like the Bulk Division?

 

Per Diem DON"T DO IT. in the long run it ends up hurting your social security. It helps the companies out and that's why the push it so much. Just something to think about.

Far as Sni goes, long as you hook up with a good STL you will do well for a beginner truck driver. Sni training was great at the time i went threw (4 years ago) All the tools are there for you to learn and be a safe driver on the road. The point of this is you must take advantage of what they offer you. Not everybody was really focused on learning but just there because they had to be. Its up to you in what you will learn from them... but its all there.. I personally say Sni is about a 2 year company then you may want to consider going elsewhere. Stay a full year at the min with them.
All and all they was not a bad company to work for. After a year of driving under you belt you can make more money elsewhere but may have to go threw a bunch more crap in order to do so. At least that's my experience.

 

I'm no longer with SNI. I took a local job in IT. I also have a local job offer running a "B" truck that I might consider. I love driving trucks. I really liked working for Schneider. They did OK by me. My problem was I didn't like being away from home for 2 weeks at a clip and my wife hated being alone. For reasons I can't go into here, it's best I stay close to home now. Perhaps some day in the distant future I will go back to OTR trucking. I still would highly recommend getting involved with Schneider if you are starting out.

 

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. You have to do what you have to do. We will see how my wife does. After 20 years in the Navy and 10 of it stationed on one ship or another, she is used to me going away, but doesn't like it much. I figure I will have to do my time OTR, but my goal is a local job here that gets me home more than 2 nights every two weeks. I would really like to deliver fuel, but the companies I have read about want at least 3 years OTR experience, so that is my plan. I have my retirement ceremony in April, but have enough leave saved up to keep getting paid from the Navy until June 30th. I figure that will give me a chance to get my feet wet and see if it will work. I know driving it is a way of life, kind of like the Navy and not just a job. :smt040 Only time will tell.

Good luck to you.
Rob

 

There are local jobs for ya. I was offered a local "B" truck for 16 an hour. Passed it by because I'm currently making more than that but it's nice to know those jobs are there in this area.

 

Anyone have any XP with both Schneider and Central Refridgerated Services, and if so how do they compare? I originally considered signing with SNI but then heard lots of good recommendations for CRS so I applied there (plus they're a little closer to home) and just got excepted, tho I won't start training for another 6 weeks (current work situation).

Now my main reason for asking is that I've recently read some posts knocking the reefer biz and as a newb I don't think I want the extra headaches at least not right out of the gate. So am considering applying to Schneider as well - any idea which one offers the best home time??? Thanks for any info ;?D

 

Well I can not comment on Central other then what I know from drivers I have spoke to on the road, they seem to be a good company.

Sni is a good company for beginners. At the time I worked for them they was really decent about getting you home. Most companies with the 2 weeks out and 2 days off usually want a 1 week notice of a home time request. They also offered 5 guaranteed home times a year, another words they guaranteed you to be home 5 times a year with short notice. Dunno if they still offer that but they once did.