Questions about Schneider trianing.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by gwv, Sep 9, 2007.

  1. gwv

    gwv Bobtail Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    Gary, WV
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    I have a few questions about Schneider training. I emailed them a request for an application and information on their cdl training about a week and a half ago. I haven't heard from them yet.

    I must tell you that recently I learned to drive a manual shift transmission. I can get around ok. But I'm not perfect yet or used to it.

    1. So question number 1 is will they train a person using an automatic. I see on their website that they are phasing in 100s of automatics every year.

    2. Do they work with you? I mean, if you get a little behind in something and fall behind the rest of the class, do they help you or kick you out the door.

    3. If, for some reason you didn't get your cdl after attending training, how much of a bill will they send you to cover your schooling?

    4. I live in West Virginia. So their school is probably located in Charlotte. If you could get trained and get a regional route, will they work to try to keep you as close to home as possible. If I work out of Charlotte, on my off days I'll have to drive all the way up here and back. I'd be better off not to have an off day if that's the case.

    5. Are there any other trucking companies that offer cdl training that would be better than Schneider?

    6. For anyone that has been through Schneider training, can you give me a brief overview of your training (day-by-day).

    7. How much money do I need during training?

    8. Also, how much does a DOT physical cost? I have to have one of those even before I can take my written test for my cdl learner's permit.

    Any answers will be appreciated. Thank you.
     
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  3. sgreen

    sgreen Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2007
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    Hi...this is Mrs. S. Green...the Mr. is at Schneider training right now.

    Why didn't you fill out the application online? My hubby filled his out several weeks ago, and probably 20 minutes after he hit the "submit" button, our phone rang, and I was shocked to see it was Schneider's. I don't have many answers to the questions you asked, but since he is currently going thru the training right this minute...I can try to give you a day to day account. (We're lucky, we live 5 minutes away from the Carlisle, Pa OC, so he's coming home at nights now during training instead of staying at the hotel).

    Yesterday was his first day of training, and basically all it consisted of was loads of paperwork and the physical testing. The physical was a breeze for him because he's been loading and unloading trucks now for years (non-cdl). The hardest part was he refrained from his morning coffee because he was afraid of the caffeine falsely raising his heart rate. But the physicals didn't take place until after lunch! He said the majority of the people seemed to pass the physical, and he wasn't sure, but thought only a couple of people didn't pass it. He estimates there are about 40 people in his class right now. It will be interesting to see how many people make it through to the end. I hope he'll be one of them! The only other thing they seemed to do yesterday was learn a little bit about the log book and they had a test. Apparently they give you a test book...and an answer book, and all you basically have to do is find the answer in the answer book. He got a very large book to bring home to study from, and the warning that today begins the very intensive training.

    Hopefully someone else can give you answers to those other questions you asked....I'll try and keep you updated on what goes on in training each day.

    :) Mrs. S. Green representing SGreen as he works his way through the STA.
     
  4. gwv

    gwv Bobtail Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    Gary, WV
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    Thank you for the reply, Mrs. Green. That was interesting. I didn't fill the application out online because, as of now, I just got on blood pressure medicine to bring my blood pressure down. As soon as I can get my bp under control, I'll head to the doctor's office for a DOT physical and then to the DMV for my written test.

    Also, presently I work for a city. So even if I change my mind about trying for a class A cdl, I can still get my class B cdl through the city and drive the smaller trucks. I'm still unsure about what my future holds.

    Good luck to Mr. Green. Sure hope everything goes well for him.

    Thank you again. I'll be looking forward to hearing about his progress in school.
     
  5. sgreen

    sgreen Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2007
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    Day 2 of training definitely got more intense for him! It was a full day of "book work", and listening to the instructor. The best thing we bought for him prior to going to training was the little digital voice recorder. As the instructor is talking, and people are frantically jotting down notes, my hubby is able to concentrate on what is being said as opposed to trying to write as fast as he can. He can just replay what was said and listen to it over and over again to try to absorb it. He got home last night about 6:30pm and then spent the next 4 hours doing homework. He enjoys being able to come home in the evening, but I think he would also benefit from the extra studying time in the evenings with the guys at the hotel. Tonight he plans on taking advantage of the after class tutoring available.

    I just got off the phone with him a little bit ago, and he was excited that today (day 3) he got to use the driving simulator. He didn't have time to go into detail about it, but thought he did pretty well on it.

    Sorry to hear about your bp.....the meds will help to get it under control for you, and hopefully then you can "ace" your dot physical!

    :) Mrs. S. Green
     
  6. gwv

    gwv Bobtail Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    Gary, WV
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    Interesting. I bet that is pretty neat that they have driving simulators.

    I wonder if they use automatics in training. Or if they just teach you in a manuel shift. I can drive a manuel shift, but I'm not 100 percent used to them. Where as an automatic should be really easy.

    I stopped to have my blood pressure taken yesterday (Monday morning). It was 140/90. She said it was still a little high. They made me an appointment for next Monday morning to see my doctor again. Until then, I'll keep on taking my bp medicine.

    At that same office I asked about DOT physicals. They said it cost $65. Not bad.

    Thanks for the replies. It's really appreciated.
     
  7. burnedoutnewbie

    burnedoutnewbie Bobtail Member

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    Aug 1, 2007
    San Diego, CA
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    Those sims are a wonderful tool for a newbie. Loss of traction recovery, animals on the road, backing, driving in tight quarters, wind, etc. Better to make mistakes on the sim than on the road.

    Regarding autoshift transmissions, I 'm not sure of they are using them or not. I would think that learning to drive a manual shift is better. When you train and then DMV test with an autoshift, your license is restricted to trucks with autoshift only. Of course, if you already have your class A when you attend the STA, this won't apply.

    [edit/WiseOne: we NEVER allow links to that site]
     
  8. bluewood

    bluewood Bobtail Member

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    Jul 31, 2007
    Spencer, WV
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    I will try to answer your questions based on what I've picked here reading the posts, visiting other sites and talking with Schneider Drivers


    1. So question number 1 is will they train a person using an automatic. I see on their website that they are phasing in 100s of automatics every year.
    They would prefer you NOT know how to drive a manual because shifting a truck is entirely different than shifting a 4 wheeler. You're actually ahead of the game on this point.

    2. Do they work with you? I mean, if you get a little behind in something and fall behind the rest of the class, do they help you or kick you out the door.
    From what I've read I would have to say yes, they will work with you if you have the desire and the aptitude.

    3. If, for some reason you didn't get your cdl after attending training, how much of a bill will they send you to cover your schooling?
    Well I guess it would be the full amount. If you went to college and flunked the final you will still have to pay, but ask a recruiter.

    4. I live in West Virginia. So their school is probably located in Charlotte. If you could get trained and get a regional route, will they work to try to keep you as close to home as possible. If I work out of Charlotte, on my off days I'll have to drive all the way up here and back. I'd be better off not to have an off day if that's the case.
    Even though Charlotte is closer you would probably go to Green Bay, but I believe where you go is based on your zipcode. As far as home time I believe if you live more than a 100 miles from your operating center (OC) you can take your truck home. Again check with a recruiter.

    5. Are there any other trucking companies that offer cdl training that would be better than Schneider?
    Roehl (pronounced rail) and Millis are probably the only two comparable programs.

    7. How much money do I need during training?
    About $10 to $15 a day - they give you breakfast and lunch so it's just dinner and snacks and doing laundry.

    And it's 14 days straight without a break, but if you figure it out thats 10 to 12 hours a day for 14 days equals 140-168 hours plus another 56 hours of homework for a total of 196-224 hours of intensive truck driving training.
     
  9. gwv

    gwv Bobtail Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    Gary, WV
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    Guys, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions. Very informative.
     
  10. sgreen

    sgreen Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2007
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    Hi! Mrs. S. Green again here!

    SGreen is still in training, today is day # 7. It's been VERY intense, and he spends a lot of time at night studying. (I spent so long quizzing him on gear/speed ratio that I know them all by heart now!) There is still a lot of book work, but he also gets in driving time every night. Last night, I was leaving the Target shopping center here in Carlisle and there was a Schneider's truck coming around the loop, and to my surprise, it was MY HUSBAND driving!! I turned around, and at the traffic light, I was able to get out and snap a couple of pictures using my camera phone. It really made my day!

    He's still using the sims daily and he's doing pretty well. I think he's only killed one pedestrian so far! His training schedule has been changed to 1pm to 9pm instead of the original 7am-6pm that it was. This makes him a "night rider". He's enjoying driving the truck (the real truck as opposed to the sim!), but he has to constantly remind himself to NOT TAKE HIS HAND OFF OF THE GEAR SHIFT. Apparently, that's a bad thing to do.

    When he orginally signed up to do this, he was going to be a "Northeast dedicated" driver, but we've since "rethunk" that idea, and he's more interested in team driving now. I know it's a big family sacrifice, but it seems to make sense at least for the time being. The pay is better, and more importantly it seems to make sense to have somebody with him. Two heads are better than one, right? Plus, instead of having to sit for 14 hours a day, that truck can keep on moving 20 out of 24 hours. We'll miss him horribly here at home, but the times he is home, we will treasure.

    He's very pleased so far with his decision to go with Schneider. The training is intense and top-notch and I think in the long run, he will be a much better, safer driver for it.

    :) Mrs. S. Green:biggrin_25526:
     
  11. sgreen

    sgreen Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2007
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    Oh, I almost forgot....about the automatics...

    My hubby is training on a manual, he does not know of anyone that is training on an automatic. He says there are quite a few automatics out there, as a matter of fact, they had to do a pre-trip inspection on an automatic (he says the pre-trip is completely different for an automatic, there are not as many steps), but his actual driving training is done on a manual.

    Mrs. S. Green
     
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