Schneider Choice Program : Pros - Cons Details

SNI has a pretty decent system with the Choice program...but things could get improved more if corporate actually wanted too. When I was leased to them the little fuel discount they gave irrated me. For that simple reason I never fueled where they got the discounts (they offer us 0.10 or so and they actually get 0.40 and higher making them money). The freight rates are there in almost all the lanes, you just have to learn the system and timing. Certain customers finalize loads at the same time everyday. The freight in the northeast can be horrible coming back west, but there are a few gems out in the northeast that make you a pretty good round.

The trailer search fee is crap. Fifty miles sounds good, but fuel and time cost a lot more (especially on elogs). Plus the 50 miels is figured off of there numbers which run zip code to zip code. This leaves you runnin short on the 50 miles many times. They also have no idea where many of the trailers are and won't "ping" the trailer tracking unless it is a last resort.

Also watch your IFTA charges. They are quite high and figured off of thier mileage numbers (zip code to zip code). It was interesting that before I leased to them I did my own IFTA and usually paid $15-30 a quarter...with them it was $30+ a month every time. They won't let you track and pay the IFTA on your own.

 

They will let you keep up with your own Ifta, They will send you the forms do it. I opt not to.

 

I didn't think you could force someone into your ifta. But requiring proof of filing would be a must in contract.

 

My basic outlook is if you are going to pull a van trailer, and not run under your own authority, then I feel that the Choice Program is the best thing out there. Make sure you have a truck spec'd to pull vans and get high MPG numbers and you will do great once you learn the lanes to run.

 

Had a friend talk to them, he said the big catch was that you had to work the regular bord for six months before going over, he told the lady to do her self. Just saying what he said, have no ideal.

 

When I leased on back in '08 they didn't give me a chioce in keeping my own IFTA. It was written right into the lease agrement that they were to track and file on my behalf. With that being said they rewrote the contract a month before I left and I never read or signed the new one. I heard the new contract had a lot of new things due to the FedEx-IRS court case.

You are totally right about this. I probably woulld still be there if it wasn't for me landing this sweet gig I have now. A person can still make pretty decent money and run some what dedicated if he/she does a lot of research and watches the load board. One thing that really helped me out was I had a couple friends that watched the board for me when I couldn't. They saved my butt many times booking great loads.

When I leased on they let me go right to Choice. I have heard that sometimes they do make guys go to the mileage program if freught is slow. Sometimes they do close hiring for the Choice for a couple of months and put guys on a waiting list. Here lately I hear that guys with O/O experience are going right to work on Choice.

 

When i was with sni, i ran into a few drivers that had problems with choice programs. They had no knowledge on how to work a computer. Some guys use there smart phones, which takes longer to really look at the board. That's where most guys have the problem, you really have to put loads together. Not just one or two, you have to book 3 loads ahead of time, with the choice program. You have to look at the averages, not just one load. If you can keep your deadhead miles down, you will do alright with choice.

 

Keep in mind SNI has a strict no phone while moving policy, even with a Blue Tooth. Not that I'm against it, but you should be aware to cover your own butt.
Covering your own butt means not running down the road, in the center lane doing 60 mph in a 70 mph zone, forcing faster trucks to pass on the right, because the left lane is restricted, while holding your phone to your right ear.
Ya can't fix stupid!