Need Help picking Schneider or Werner?

Any other options? I'm sorry.

 

I agree. Have you looked around? I mean REALLY looked? I decided to haul grain for a while, until I felt I'd done enough research. I applied at one company - was accepted - then heard they will trash your DAC file. No Thanks!!

I'm not saying Schneider or Werner will or won't treat you right. But I'm turning all the stones I can, and as some on the board here say - do the research yourself! I think there's a bit to be learned there as far as the questions you need to ask to find out what a company is really like.

The one thing I haven't done is hang out at the local truck stop and talk to drivers. But I HAVE talked to a few. And I listened to what they said. I didn't discount their advice because they didn't tell me what I wanted to hear.

You never know who's gonna give you that big tip on your future job. I asked around all over for a grain haulin' job and even drove one day for a guy, for FREE as a tryout. And I didn't just take the job to get paid for that one day. The pay SUCKED at that job. And now I have a job that pays GREAT. The truck isn't as nice, but the pay more than makes up for it. How do you think the other guy can afford those nice trucks?

I've got one company kinda picked out for over the road, to get my 2yrs. experience for that local haul job I REALLY want. So, don't just rely on this forum to figure out your future. Talk to people - make calls - hit the truck stop. Whatever gives you exposure to truckers and driving jobs. Do that along with reading and making posts here.

Hope this helps - Good Luck,

Buzz


And be wary of what recruiters tell you:

 

Been with Werner when they were still somewhat small and the old man ran it, and it was great then. Now, not sure. Started with SNI 2 months ago, the IC program, until my truck caught fire before I really had a chance to take it. After that, went company, and they have bent over backwards to take care of me. Before went OTR with them, came down with the flu and the ops mgr at my terminal told me to go home, come back when feeling good. So I would say, SNI.

 

SNI is a great company even though they have so many drivers. You won't go wrong with them.

 

this is like trying to decide between crack or heroin.

 

Schneider is a great carrier to get started with. Schneider is no place to stay for a career but a good place to start. Do your time then move on.

 

I started with SNI. There were some hiccups with my DBL at first. (DBL is their version of a freight manager). It is not bad as far as a company goes, not that I have experience with others except for talking to other drivers. I am on a dedicated team account now and it is not bad. Is it the best company? I will not say that by any means, but it is in no way as bad as some of the stories I have read on some of the other companies. The pay is not the greatest, but the miles are steady and to date, there has not been any mistakes on my pay stubs, and I keep a close check.

As far as a good company, I am not sure I can make a distinction. All companies are doing basically the same thing as far as hauling freight. I will say SNI has a huge freight base that can be a plus in this economy. When folks talk about a better company, I am not sure if they are referring to better pay, better equipment, treated better, better benefits, or what exactly, but it is not terrible here and suits my expectations for the time being. Eventually, I do want my own truck and run for Landstar or a similar autonomous operation (yes, I do know about the Choice Program here at Schneider), but for now, it is okay for starting out and do not think it is a bad choice, plus, for me, was a lot more preferable choice than Werner.

 

I was just at a stop in Mahwah NJ yesterday and talked to a Regional Schneider driver. He seemed happy, said he took home 800 a week and was home on weekends. He works regional but went as far as GA last week so I guess they'll keep you moving if you want them to. In my opinion it will really depend on your dispatch, if you guys are on the same page then only good will come from it. Good luck!