new info on Schneider teaming

Ya, and sometimes you can learn that your friends are actually strangers LOL

 

I team now on a dedicated account. There are advantages and disadvantages. One just needs to be committed to trying to get along with the partner if they start as strangers. That cab can get pretty small if there is animosity going on. It is similar to a marriage without fringe benefits. What I like best is not needing to worry about finding a place to do a ten hour break, but on the downside, you can't relax to the tv or get away from the motion of the truck when you are through with your shift.

But the miles are steady and predictable, plus normally we are home after six days out.

 

Bigcove,
I got some questions about SNI and OC's and so forth.
Been taking all the on-line tests I can for driving and the endorsements.

Wondering if you would share you rperspective about the Dallas and Houston OC's, along with some other ones you're familiar with.

Supposedly, I'll be in OTR bulk and will hit school Jan and hope with t/e mid Feb. East from Houston all the way to around NJ.

The OC facilities are important to me from an expense angle. Also, I don't know what's there, the conditions. Is even staying at the OC's mostly a viable idea?

Even little things like...free showers? free wi-fi? Loaner or community computer if I don't ahve a laptop? What about overnighting at the OC's

What if you have HAZMAT on trailer? Can you overnight at at T/S?

I haven't even started yet...and I can tell there's a million more coming.

Thanks in advance.

Merlin

 

I have only driven by the Houston OC so I can not speak much about it, only I know it is packed with trailers and it is very tight for maneuvering from what I hear. I have no idea on what their facilities are like there.

Dallas OC has free showers, a cafeteria (food is not the best, but edible and a little on the expensive side for what you get in my opinion), a drivers lounge with big screen, fuel, and plenty of parking for over night stays. It is a little on the older side with many potholes in the pavement, but not the worst OC we have.

Most all the OC's are preferable for over night compared to the truck stops in my opinion. They all have free showers; as many as you want to take I think, but they like to limit your time to about 30 minutes so other drivers can enjoy them as well. Normally they are cleaned between uses unless it is very late at night. They provide towels and wash cloths.

All the OC's have free WIFI, but with limits on where one can surf. By limits I mean porn and the like is not available, but you get my drift. That doesn't affect me any, but most normal websites are accessible and is available through the parking area as well as inside. There are also a limited number of old desk tops inside that one can use.

Not all of the OC's have a cafeteria. Atlanta, Evansville, IL, and Laredo do not for sure. West Memphis, Dallas, and Gary, IN do for sure. Those are the only ones I have been at.

Also, they all have a company car you can check out for about an hour to go get food or restock groceries if you like.

All the facilities are fairly clean and have people that clean the OC's frequently during the day and I feel are pretty decent facilities considering how many folks come through them.

I was at the Carlyle, PA one time with my trainer back in June and remember that it was a very nice facility, but I do not remember if it had a cafeteria. From my experience and for my pallet, West Memphis, AR has the best food. There are food vending machines in the OC's without cafeterias and they all have microwaves if you need them along with soda machines. Also free laundry facilities, you need to provide the soap and such.

Some of the OC's are not in the most desirable areas of their respective cities, but they are all fenced in and you will feel safe at the facility.

I have always tried to trip plan to do my ten at our facilities and feel that is a strong plus when comparing to other companies.

I can not comment on HAZMAT loads because I have not pulled any.


I will be happy to answer any more questions, but that is my best synopsis from my experience.

 

BigCove, Great post. Nice to see someone with possitive info.

 

These are the type of answers I was looking for.

Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Merlin

 

Just for future ref. SNI does have "train your partner", my wife starts school Jan 13th and will be trainined by me when she comes to SNI. I just pray the miles are better than when my friend and I teamed back in 08. They sucked, period! If that happens again, I will be taking my experience, my wife and partner somewhere else...


SheepDog

 

I run teams on SNI Nissan dedicated is this bonus for new teams on dedicated accounts or OTR teams? Thanks......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKepgBntIZ8

 

Looking for an update to any team that is running company or IC with SNI...
I drove for SNI about two months ago, for 3yrs and now drive for TMC... Wife is talking again and so, thought I would start with SNI

Thanks

 

Can a schneider driver explain if they allow idle time for running the air condition, or does it matter if your teams, because it will be running for the most part. Thnx.