If you are a recent CDL graduate

for me, they gave me a couple of easy long runs to start me out with, that had a lot of time to make it so if I had problems I wouldn't be late. However, I delivered into NYC my second month out!

 

How did that go?

 

My old dbl took real good care of me.I didnt realize it at the time.
She had enough insight to ease me into the more difficult loads.
The first two weeks as they say are the worse.Just be patient with your self.If you have questions,call in and ask.
I wish I had some do-over days where I made mistakes,but thats gonna happen when your green.
I know thats not much help,but the nerves will go away with time,and these guys are a good source of info,and help.

 

orientation,is orientation.Lots of things changing here recently,so not sure how its going to be now,but you'll do fine.Listen,and take notes.
You going to Atl.,or Charlotte?

 

Well straight out of school and into orientation you are going to be learning a lot. Remember what you can and the things you can't call up and ask. You should get assigned to a DBL that deals with new drivers for your first few months. I would highly recommend either going to meet them in person or have a very long and thorough phone conversation so that you can get a feel for them and they get a feel for you. By all means ask anything you can think to ask whenever it comes up. When in doubt call and ask. That is what they are there for. They should also work with you to get you going at a pace that is good for you and the company. It may seem a bit nerve racking at first but don't feel rushed or pressured. Take your time and be safe above everything else. I know it seems like a pretty general post but the best advice I have is use common sense and communicate with your DBL. Be safe out there and best regards to you in the new career. I love it and think SNI is a great company to drive for.

 

I'm a recent truck drivng graduate from Southern California and I'm curious to know how the orientation is like....I understand there is a road test, but what happens if I were to fail the road test with Schneider? Will they kick me to the curb or will they work with me?

 

Hope nobody minds if I jump into this conversation.....

I just got off the phone with an SNI recruiter, for an 11 western job, 2 wks on, 2 days off, (I needed the prehire to go back to AIT in Phoenix and I got a few, just for good measure, though I'm more than undecided about SNI since I have some other plans NOT OTR or 11 Western at the moment, but we'll see.) I'm curious, IF I were to decide to go there in early May, what kind of miles are the 2wk on/2 days off 11 Western drivers are getting.

The recruiter was kind enough not to lie to me about the fact it wouldn't be the kind of miles a 48 state driver would get, but she didn't offer any numbers. I've seen bad weeks of 1700 reported here, and good weeks between 2500 - 3000. (I knid of doubt that happens much). On average, if anyone has the 11 western 2/2 deal, what's realistic? Seems to me I'd be likely to run under 2000 most of the time, but maybe not. Thots would be appreciated from someone who actually knows first hand!

thanks!

 

Do a prehire interview, and they will tell you how it works. 1st week of paperwork and backing/alley docking/pretrip, 2nd week and a half out with a "Training Engineer", then back for more class time and a road test basically, as I understood her. They pay $460/week for that and get you there and put you in a hotel and give you breakfast and lunch. Depending on where you do the training, if you pass the road test, you then wait for a truck at that yard and go out solo once you get it....unless you "accidentally" signed up as a team driver. (You have to apply for a specific job at SNI, based on where you are and what they are hiring for, and whether they will take rookies for the job or not.)

 

Trust me, you're a new graduate and Schneider expects you to be "green". They will definitely work with you. Basically, as long are you aren't hitting stuff or making illegal u-turns you'll be fine. If you aren't the best at shifting don't worry. They will expect you to grind a few gears being new. I would say just try not to worry about it and you'd be fine.

To provide perspective, here's the story of my time out with my trainer. If they passed this guy through orientation I don't think there is anything to worry about. Please keep in mind though that I don't think he ever made it with the company. Enjoy for your reading pleasure!

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...96-went-out-with-trainer-what-experience.html