Headed for Indianapolis for Orientation August 7th...

So not much interesting this week....

I started by going to Athens, GA then Charlotte, NC. I had a non-preventable accident on this trip when I took out a low hanging cable line. Funny enough I noticed it, was driving about 10 mph, and even pushed truck to left side of road to try and avoid. I stopped and talked to homeowner who said I was about 15th driver to take it out. The highlight of the trip I suspect would be that I was able to stop at the Charlotte OC. I can tell you after visiting the remnant of Seville, OH, Carlisle, PA, and now Charlotte, NC, none of those OC's hold a candle to Indianapolis. I do not know about the age of these OC's, but clearly of those listed, INDY is the place to be. I did get held up in a nasty accident on 77/81 in WV. A pickup crossed over interstate median and hit a big truck head on. I also know that 77 going through WV in the dark with fog, is the toughest interstate I have driven on so far!
The back half of the week I went into Canada again up to Toronto. A couple lessons I learned from this trip. The very first is that you need to make absolutely sure you PARS paperwork is all squared away before you go over the Ambassador Bridge. Mine was not, and I was sent back to USA to wait it out. The second thing I have noticed, is that it is interesting many cities are in big cities. WHat I mean is I had two deliveries to Toronto. However , the bill showed to places I do not remember, but they were small insignificant places that I thought I could navigate. However, once I got there, I can promise you I was in Toronto! I am actually growing somewhat fond of driving in Canada. I hate the wasted time crossing the border. However, the roads are great. The road construction and repairs are efficient. IF they want to fix 1 mile of road, they close one mile of road, not 32 miles on both sides of the interstate. When they are not working they open up the lanes. Those turnpike like travel plaza's are great. The speed limit matches my governed truck so I am not getting run over. Did I mention no mountains? Now I have only made 4 deliveries to Canada, and there has not been any snow, but for now I would say that I prefer it to any other state I have delivered to.
Next week a couple of deliveries to Atlanta, although the bills do not say Atlanta, I know for both I will be trucking around 285!

Be safe and have a good week to all!

Raid3r

 

I know I am sort of hit and miss on updating this....I am sure I will be missing some stuff along the way. THe miles are still crazy. Last week was close to 3k, and still made almost $300 in accessory pay. I only used the lumper my first delivery ever. He ruined it for all lumpers after him! I also slid in a 22 hour work day, which I thought was pretty impressive for having electronic logs. Tonight I am sitting IN Oklahoma City, OK. It is the furthest I have delivered so far. Tomorrow to Mississippi, then I get to find out where I will be spending Thanksgiving (which will not be at home). Again, 4 months later, I am still very happy with everything about Schneider. IN another thread I posted my miles, which have been averaging 2500-2700. I am too laxy to dig up pay stubs right now, but I can tell you may last four (net, take home) paychecks have been something like $750, $850, $750, $950. Anyone can find out what I get paid, but I am sharing this so people who are considering driving or specifically Schneider can get a real idea of what the pay is like, and whether or not it would be worth it to them. Two things about that disclosure. I hear "real" truckers talking about bringing home $1,500 + a week, well I have no experience and Schneider gave me an opportunity. Second, the pay is not great, but it is much better than the four paychecks I got before I came to Schneider , which were $0, $0, $0, $0.

Now for any of you that have followed this thread, you know my one complaint, and the one thing that would drive me away from Schneider is an opportunity for a local driving job that had regular or daily time home. Well if you wish, dream or pray, then do that for me. Schneider has a local gig posted 15 miles from my house. I sent in a request explaining that I know I am supposed to wait 6 months before requesting a move, but I was hoping to have my DBL help me get it. I really want to tell my DBL that I am looking for a local gig, with or without Schneider, so I would think that it would be better to keep me under those circumstances. Anyways, I ll keep you posted. I am sure I will get a response of some sort tomorrow, since I sent my boss an email asking for his help.

To all drivers, be safe out there. To all students, Good Luck!

Raid3r

 

I think most of the bulk guys I have seen have been dressed in a "uniform", although I do not know the rules specifically.

As far as van, I was always told there was a dress code of pants and a preference for a SNI shirt of some sort from their catalogue for the dedicated drivers (like me). However, my first day , I went into dispatch and saw about 4 drivers in shorts and t shirts, and have never looked back. Quite honestly, I suppose it depends on what you are doing. On my account, I am hand unloading about 70% of my freight, so I want to be able to move and be comfortable. No no long sleeve button up shirt would make me feel that way.

As far as a face to face interview, I suspect you could consider your week at orientation a series of face to face interviews. The dress code would be appropriate footwear, long pants, and a non offensive and appropriate shirt of some sort.

Good Luck!

Raid3r