Headed for Indianapolis for Orientation August 7th...

I heard in ADTC that they were not satisfied with the automatics they bought and for the time being were NOT considering buying more. I fell into an automatic because the person I replaced just happened to have one. So to answer your question, they are not specifically giving automatics to new drivers.

Raid3r

 

Update...


I am sorry that I have slacked off so much in updating. However it is much easier to update daily when going through orientation. The road is kicking my ###. I am averaging over 2500 miles over the past 4 weeks. There is more miles than I actually care to run. My update will be brief, and I am sorry for that. I am in Baltimore, MD and all tired and worn out, and it is only Monday!

There are three things I want to mention or bring light to, and if there are any questions about Schneider I can answer, please send me a PM or ask it hear and I will try to return and answer as time permits.

First, I want to say that all around Schneider is a first class operation. Nothing they could do to me (or I to them) would change my opinion. From the recruiters, to the trainers at ADTC, to the drivers I have encountered through training and at shippers, recievers, service areas, my TE, the mechanics (at both Carlisle and Indy), my dispatcher, my DBL. All of them extraordinary. Everything I have been told has come true, and they whole company has gone out of their way to accomodate me in any way possible. The miles are more than I want. I worked all 7 days last week, and know my odometer ran up over 3,000 miles on this dedicated account. My equipment is in good condition, but anytime I have had a complaint, they have looked, fixed, replaced anything i asked.

Second, I have made some silly and stupid mistakes. The reason I am exposing myself is because if any of you do the same, you will know you arent the only one. All of the following happened to me since I started.

1.) I hit a concrete barrier at INDY OC. There was a report written , but with no equipment , property, or personal damage, I received more encouragement over it than trouble.

2.) I missed an on ramp after fueling and had to drive abut 30 miles round trip to get back on track. IN addition, I once missed the entrance to a Pilot, and spent about the same mileage getting turned around at the next Wal Mart.

3.) I took the wrong trailer that was supposed to go to PA and drove it 350 miles the opposite direction to IL. Although I couldnt possibly know how each DBL would react, mine actually paid me the miles both ways and considered it part of my training.

Lastly, I want to say what tremendous respect I have for anyone who makes their living driving a truck. I am struggling with being away from my family, which is something you can not really understand until you actually do it. I also was ill prepared for the amount of time you actually spend working each day. I am spending upwards of 16 hours a day every day I am away from home and with my truck. I know all about the 14 hour rule and my electronic logs, but anyone who is already driving knows that 90% of us are doing more than that. I have a bit of loyalty to Schneider for how they have treated me and all they have taught me in my short time here. However, I do not know if I am going to cut it as a driver, unless I can get into some other arrangement. Either way, I will continue to sing the praises of Schneider and drink the orange kool aid.

Raid3r