Schneider Or Prime???

Discussion in 'Trucking Jobs' started by Johnnb, Jul 25, 2007.

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  1. Johnnb

    Johnnb Light Load Member

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    Hello:

    I have the choice between becoming a driver for Schneider National or Prime Trucking. For all of you experienced drivers out there, which company is a good company to start and grow with? I can leave for either one in August? What are the benefits of becoming a new driver for a big company as opposed to a smaller one. Prime is building a new terminal in Harrisburg, PA and they guarantees home time for me. However, they both are offering home time. I personally don't care too much for home time since I have no wife or children. I am sure my parents will understand that I am making money for my life and future. Can anyone provide me with some good advice? :biggrin_25523:

    John
     
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  3. Jim's Fiancee

    Jim's Fiancee Bobtail Member

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    May 17, 2007
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    Hey John,
    I don't know anything about Prime but my Fiance drove for Schneider.........Their Training is great,but actually working for them ?! NEVER again.They didn't pay him what he had in miles,the Trucks are in bad shape (at least the ones my man drove) and keep breaking down,dispatchers have no clue what they're doing,seems like one shift doesnt talk to the other and the driver gets blames for their mistakes......Stress level SKY HIGH.
    My man is now working for Knight Ref and is very happy with his job.He has plenty of work ,enough miles ,a great Truck that never once broke down so far,nice and friendly dispatchers...........
    Like I said, the Training at Schneider is great,but forget about the rest.And hometime with Schnieder?? Yeah you better stay single if you go work for them............
    Good Luck to you!
    Natasha
     
  4. Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

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    I last drover for Prime with a lease purchase in 2002. I would not recommend that for anyone. I made more at other places as a company driver, without the risk of worrying about an extremely high lease payment. Not sure what they are like when it comes to company drivers, but I imagine that those guys get stuck with all the loads that the lease purchase guys refuse, and I refused my share of multi-drop New York City loads with them.

    Never drove for Schneider, so can't comment personally on them. From talking to other drivers, they seem like a pretty good company.
     
  5. Keeping it simple

    Keeping it simple Bobtail Member

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    Jun 6, 2007
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    Amen to that...if you're going to go with Schneider, don't plan on working for them long. Get the training. Get the experience. THen get on with your life and sign up with someone else.
     
  6. Johnnb

    Johnnb Light Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2007
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    Hello everyone:

    I am so glad that there is a forum out there that provides newbies with so much information. I would have ended up with Schneider if it wasn't for the great posts by all of you wonderful people. I heard so many negative things about Schneider specifically how many miles that they promise you and how many you actually get. I also heard that they have a 100% turnover rate, which in my book is something to think about when you are first starting out. There has to be several reasons for so many drivers wanting to quit? Also as I have read I found that when a big company advertises so much, like on the net, on the radio and on cable TV, a new driver should just run away, not walk but run. There is no reason why a great company as they claim to be should be running so many adds? Also most big companies can fill your seat in less than 15 minutes. There are always new drivers who lack the necessary information end up joining these companies only to turn around and regret it later.
    I am glad I didn't make that mistake. I have seen their equipment on the road and they don't look as great as they advertise them. Personally, I could care less whether I get a new truck or a late model truck. So long as it is a work horse and it gets me from point A to point B. I just want to do the job and get paid for it. So after much research and thought, I decided on joining up with Central Refrigerated instead. I got an offer from them to start on September 4th. I will begin training in Medina NY. The starting pay is ok, starting you at .29 per mile, which is ok since I will be starting out. I will be driving reefers to all 48 states and Canada. I guess I can get good experience from them and then later on I can sign with someone else. Maybe if I am lucky I can become an owner operator. I was always looking to start my own business and with any luck I can live a nice life. Mabye I can work for Tli Cho Landtran after four years of good experience. Who knows, for now I just want to take one day at a time and see where it goes from there. Thanks again, have a great week.

    John :biggrin_255:
     
  7. Baack

    Baack Road Train Member

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    I think Ice road truck-en will be hard with the new show on. They do have 800 trucks driven.
    My bro and our accountants cousin both drive for Schneider. One is company and the other owner.
    Both are very happy with them.
    The owner operator has been with them , not sure but at least 20 years.

     
  8. ChromeDome

    ChromeDome Road Train Member

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    Lakeland, FL
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    I am at Central now John.
    I attended a refresher course at the Medina school.
    Dont expect to learn to drive a truck while you are there. They will teach you just enough to pass your road test. They have some good instructors, and I like them all allot. But two weeks is just too short a time to learn to drive a truck forward and backward.

    The only backing you will even practice there is the straight back and parallel parking. Because for the NY driving test that is all you need.
    If the old T2 is there on the weekends try and see if you can get some alley docking practice in. Tim will help you out if you are doing well on the rest.
     
  9. Johnnb

    Johnnb Light Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2007
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    Hello:

    So how do you like Central so far? How long have you been driving with them? Any opinions you can share with me before I go to training? I guess I will have to learn everything out on the road. Its like a drivers license, you learn the basics of driving but once you get that license it is all up to you on what kind of driver you want to be. I am looking forward to working with them. Also one more thing before I run. How does the payment towards paying back your training work exactly, and how much should I expect to earn each week as a starting driver after my training is over? Thanks for the information.

    John
     
  10. ChromeDome

    ChromeDome Road Train Member

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    Lakeland, FL
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    I just upgraded to driver status from me refresher program with them, so I will refreain from true judgment for a while on them as a company.

    The payments for the school come out of your checks once you upgrade at 50.00 a week for a year. They pay a portion also for as long as you are, so if you stay with them that entire time you are paying allot less than the 3000 you borrowed. I have to say that I dont think most stay that long. They eather are removed from there trainers truck because they are dangerous and never upgrade (30%) or so.
    Many quit when they realize that it is allot of work.
    I would guess that out of all the ppl that come thru there schools that maybe 10% max make it thru there first year.

    I would also guess that at least 1/3 of the people that start with one of there schools never make it out of school. Between the physical, background check (which is finished in school) and drug screen, the numbers go way down by Thursday each week for the new group.

    Oh, and dont bring your personel car to the school. You will have a hard time getting it home at the end. They dont have a break at the end of the program. You test on Tuesdays normally and Fly to Conley on Wednesday.

    I am not trying to get you to not apply, not at all, I love driving. I do want you to have some of the facts that the recruter does not tell you.
    Oh, a big one. You will pay for the meal plan at the hotel. Trust me it is a great deal, John will feed you well. At the school for lunch they have no food provided, and there is no fast food close to the school. You will need money to buy food off the roach coach. I would suggest that you plan on $5 a day just for lunches. Many ppl there ran short on cash very quickly.

    Well, I am back out tomarrow. I will try to keep checking in here. Have a good one.
     
  11. Johnnb

    Johnnb Light Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2007
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    Hello:

    Sounds like a good deal! I know I will pass the physical, I don't do drugs and I don't drink. The only thing I take is a prescription drug for acid reflux. I can't do anything about that. So some people find the training hard or are the driver trainers extremely picky? How long does it take to upgrade? Also if you decided to pay for half of your training would that help to lower how much they take out of your pay? Lastly, I took a DOT drug test and physical for Schneider not too long ago. Should I let them know about it? Should I also take the permit CDL exam for NY prior to going there? Thanks again and have a good run!

    John :biggrin_25519:
     
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