Orientation in a few weeks... Have a few Questions

I'm just getting started as a driver out of Fontana Ca so not sure about the route you will be driving. But can tell you that if you applied to be otr that is what you will be with no slip seating unless you are home for more than 4 to 5 days at a time, is what I was told by my DBL.

They don't team drive you unless you applied for that position. Just your training and then you are off on your own.

 

dermetzgerei,
Go to www.schneiderjobs.com and at the top click company drivers then search and apply for jobs.Click on Ohio on map and a list of what is available will come up,I just did and you have a lot of options.Hope this helps.

 

According to who's plan? Remember that if a recruiter is talking there's a huge probability the he/she is lieing! Maybe there's areason your recruiter keeps ignoring specific questions....

 

I graduated from a community college truck driving school last week and just got my license. I was reading a post on another newsgroup from 2009 that this poster’s (sportster65) class at Schneider started out with 37 students but only 3 graduated. I am pretty sure I will pass the stress\prescreen physical and my driving record is spotless. Can I expect this kind of failure rate or have things changed in 2011? I will probably be doing orientation in Indianapolis at Schneider in a couple of weeks.

 

Joe,
I went to Schneider in spring 2011 at Charlotte,NC and the only person that did not make it had super high blood pressure.It was a good experience,our instructors were really good.They want you to succeed and will work with you in an area if you need it.Attitude is very important, if you try your best it does not go unnoticed.

 

I just got done with orientation and SQT test in Fontana and agree with Rockyriverowl. That describes my experience exactly. The instructors worked with everyone that they could. Good attitude and wiliness to follow through went a long way

 

It depends (a little) on if you applied for Midwest Regional OTR or National OTR. The biggest differnce between the two is that Midwest Regional will keep you out of NYC for the most part. Overall your average run will be between 300 and 600 miles.

You'll set up your work schedule with your DBL. Most new drivers will go out for 12-14 days and be home for 34 hrs to 2 days. A rough rule of thumb is that for every 6 days out you 'get' 1.5 days of home time. When you talk to your new DBL be clear about your expectations (miles, home time, etc).

Pickings are a little slim right now for starter trucks. As long as you're not on the Home Run Program (out for 14, home for 7) you will not be slip seating. If you're at home for more than a couple days your truck might get used as a loner, but not likely. As for taking the truck home - again something you'll work out with your DBL. IMO its better to leave the truck at the yard if you are within a half hour or so.

Once you pass your skills test after the on the road portion of training you will be sent out solo.

"Graduation Rates" vary but there's usually about a 50% washout rate before the week of orientation is over. Between failed work screenings, failed or missing drug tests, and the folks you got their CDL from a cracker jack box that can't shift/back the dropouts really add up.