Headed for Indianapolis for Orientation August 7th...

SNI kinda draws a line at the Mississippi and keeps solos on their own side, or relatively close to it. They save the cross country stuff for teams.

In the first year since my return to the Pumpkin I've handled exactly one load, and that one could have been hired....I just felt like doing it that day...

 

Have you thought about trying bulk ? I know they have a better home time program, even though it's not local.

 

I'd like to say to everyone this is a fantastic thread! Congrats to those on their successful completion of orientations, tests, and all. Schneider is is a great company. All of the info I've read here is very accurate. I started with SNI running the 11 western. I now run local intermodal in los angeles. I wish you all luck and many happy months with the great pumpkin.

 

I have to agree with R.Rodriguez, this is a fantastic thread thank you Raid3R. I will be starting my orientation in Carlise on the 23rd and this thread has boosted my moral about it. Thanks again. As for SNI sounds like a good company.

 

1 quick question since you went in with a valid CDL-A already did yyou have to sign a 18 month contract?

 

One thing I was concerned with was being on the hook for thousands of dollars if you don't stay long enough to pay back tuition $25 a month (or whatever rate it is credited) for so many miles.

For me the local community college at $1500 and being a free agent is the way to go.

I have heard many horror stories about other companies getting people on the hook for tuition then terminating them and then wanting five or six grand from you as a parting gift

 

RoadRaid3r, excellent post.

I am an ex-OTR driver thinking about coming back.
Never drove for the Great Pumpkin though. I may have to check them out.

Don't sweat the little mistakes you have made (we ALL have made them) no one got hurt, nothing destroyed wasted some fuel (who hasn't) it will only make you a better driver down the road

I got a kick out of your admission about sliding the tandems. Haven't you scaled your loads? I don't know what freight you are hauling or the weight, but I would want to know my axle weights

Don't kill yourself with hand loads if you don't need to,(good time to take a nap) that's what lumpers are for

The work vs home time is a big adjustment for newbs its a balancing act
(you can always run out of hours when you want)

But the single most important advice I can give to any driver," Is if you are tired get some rest." " Its better to reschedule a load than to never deliver it."

Sounds like you have been doing a great job.