BEWARE of CR England!

I assure you that Schneider isn't ANYthing like C.R. England. After dealing with the Sons-0-Chester I can well understand your apprehension, but I'm certain that you both will find what Schneider has to offer will put your minds at ease, --- starting with orientation.
DON'T BE LATE FOR CLASS DURING ORIENTATION They will send those who are late home. Can't blame 'em for that. They figure if y'all are late to class y'all will be late for deliveries.

In Big truck truckin' a travel agent (dispatcher) can make or break a Big truck truck driver. I highly recommend that he meet his dispatcher in person to get acquainted and become familiar with the operation. Sending a dispatcher a post card from places of interest and/or to thank them for their efforts works wonders. The better dispatching is understood, and a dispatcher understands a driver's preferences, the smoother things will go. Never leave a bad taste in a dispatcher's mouth.
Also, dispatchers don't appreciate whiners or those who require hand-holding for even routine dispatches.

Unlike C.R.E., y'all won't have to get past armed guards or pass through metal detectors to visit a dispatcher hidden behind bullet proof glass. Schneider has an open door policy. I had been with Schneider about 18 months when I had occasion to stop in Green Bay and had some time to burn while my assigned Big truck was being serviced, --- a good time, I figured, to see if I could tour the facilities. Upon asking, I was told that'd be no problem, adding that if I had any questions or comments to feel free to voice them. You won't receive that invitation at C.R. England.

While on my tour I happened to stop outside an office with an open door and figured that's what they meant when they say there's an open door policy. I was only partially correct. From the inside of that office I heard someone greet me, then stand up from behind his desk and walk to where I was standing. We talked a bit about things in general in a friendly manner for several minutes before he introduced himself. Don Schneider, he told me, adding that if I had ANYthing on my mind to feel free to stop in and mention my thoughts to him. I learned that when they say "Open Door Policy" that's exactly what they meant. I found that to be refreshing and reassuring.

There's something you wrote in your post (see above) that caught my attention. I highlighted the part I make reference to, which seems to indicate that after one year y'all will be "good to go". Are your plans to remain with Schneider for only a year, --- long enough to gain enough experience to move on to another Big truck truckin' company? If so, I think y'all oughta reconsider your options.
Here's why -----------

It seems that the vast majority of graduates are of the mindset that the first company they hire on with is just a steppin' stone to a better gig, so they follow the leader of the herd by doin' what they think is expected, --- which is to move on to a 'better' company.
I suppose that makes sense, ...... in some cases, but certainly not in all cases.
It didn't make sense to me to follow the leader to one of the lesser starting companies with a plan to quit after a year to find that dream gig. Instead I figured why not shoot for the top right off the bat? That way I could decide if movin' on to another company would be in my best interest. I felt that if I was content with my first company, why leave?
After researching the various choices I chose Schneider for my first choice. I was informed that Schneider was next to impossible to get on with, ---- that they were only interested in the cream of the crop and most applicants were rejected. It was suggested by some of the truckin' school instructors that I apply with an outfit where it's 'easier' to be accepted.
I listened to their advice, but didn't follow it.

As a result, I paid a visit to Schneider's office where I noticed a sign in the window that read,
"Not Hiring Drivers At This Time".
To make a long story somewhat shorter, I applied anyway, and was hired.
I love it when a good plan comes together.
To my way of thinkin', which I'll admit probably ain't 'normal', I'd come out ahead if I remained with a company and climbed the pay-scale ladder instead of movin' on after a year and basically startin' from the bottom, .... again, ...... and again, and again, --- as many folks seem to do, --- never advancing in pay with seniority. While others were jumpin' jobs, I remained with Schneider where I gained even more valuable experience than a new-hire would.
From the start I ran team. Within a year I was offered a team dedicated run that covered 6,700 miles in 7 days, then two days off and do it again. On top of that, I learned about pullin' a set of doubles. When we had to break a set up we were paid $35.00 split. We did that at least six times on a run, ($210 split -- $105 each), on top of a seven cents per mile bonus for not exceeding 55mph, not idling excessively and bein' on time.
There were quite a few drivers who asked to be put on that run, but I didn't ask them, --- they asked me.
Doors were opening that I didn't knock on.

From there, I was asked to become a driver trainer, and I declined the offer. When asked what it would take from them to get me to agree, I said I wanted three things, figuring they'd never agree. First, I wanted a brand new Big truck assigned to me. Second, I wanted permission to take the Big truck home with me on my days off and third, I wanted to attend driver trainer training in Green Bay because they're more thorough there. I was amazed when they agreed to my concessions. How could I say no?
As it turned out, bein' a driver trainer was one of, if not THE most enjoyable gigs I have ever participated in.

From there I went with a local, dedicated account for General Foods, --- a mistake on my part as I soon discovered I don't like runnin' local, --- fighting LA traffic on a daily basis. But it all worked out because during that time I found my dream gig with another company that required at LEAST 5 years experience. I lacked that by six months. However, because of Schneider's reputation and my advancements during that time, they decided to make an exception, and hired me. In 4 1/2 years I had applied with only two Big truck truckin' companies and was hired by both.
Contrast that with the job-hoppers with tons of experience startin' at the bottom again, ..... and again, ..... and again.
See where I'm goin' with this?

In my never so humble opinion, Schneider is an excellent company to start with, and a dad-gummed good company to remain with, ---- at least until that dream gig is found, if ever. Job-hoppers don't seem to realize how much they're losing by not stickin' around to advance in pay because they're always startin' at the bottom, or close to it, in pay.

Don't be too anxious to jump ship after a year or so. Consider what'cha got, and decide then if it's worth taking a chance with another outfit. Just because the majority subscribe to the notion of movin' on after a year with a starter company, consider that Schneider IS one of those 'better companies' to move on to. Y'all will already be there, one step ahead of the majority.
Imagine that.

I'm curious, ---- do y'all have aspirations of owning your own Big truck and becoming Independent Contractors (I/C) some time in the future?
(I'm not talkin' 'bout leasing, I'm talkin' 'bout purchasing)

 

AfterShock - I had a similar experience too, of course people are always telling me what I can/can't do based on the guidelines of the box. 9 out of 10 times I shoot for something outside the box and it works to my advantage, sounds like you focused your energy on what you wanted instead of what you didn't want or what everyone was telling you with their fear and logic. A little room for dreaming combined with action goes a long way.

When I started with CR England I was told I wouldn't be able to go to any other trucking outfit except Swift or Werner until I had AT LEAST 6 months experience. Just shy of 3 months into my CRE experience I knew it was time to move on(truthfully I knew it was time to move on after the 3rd week lol)so I applied to a bunch of companies that I was told wouldn't hire me because I didn't have enough experience. Drivers told me this, the recruiters of these companies told me this but I applied anyway. Shy of 3 months into my trucking I applied to 7 companies, 6 OTR carriers and 1 in the North Dakota oil fields. The 6 OTR companies called me back. I was offered a job instantly with 2 of those companies(Swift & Werner)but I didn't want to work with them based on their reputation. I spoke with the other 4 in depth and got a feel for which one felt best for me and decided. After accepting with one of the companies that I now work for I had been contacted by the other 3 offering me employment.

I think he'll do fine with Schneider, they don't have a really bad reputation like England does(does anybody??). Focus on what you want and not what others say.

 

The recurters at C.R. England are very honest.
If you ask them the right questions!

When I talked to one a few days ago, he told me that the starting pay was .25 cents per mile. Then I asked him, if I had a T.W.I.C. card would I get paid more? He said no, it dosen't matter.
After he put me on hold for a few minutes, I got the joke and hung up.

Also if you are in Indiana, they just opended up a new trainning facility in Richmond In. Go there, the one in Burns Harbor, according to the students has a "bed bug" infestation in their student housing (motel). Any idea how mad the trainers will be if you introduce them on the truck for your cross country training? Also after this long, they have figured out how to squeeze every last penny out of the students at Burns Harbor.

 

There are lots of company's out that will hire him. As long as he has a clean driver record and did not abandon the truck. CR England is a very bad company sorry it was his first. I work for Swift not a perfect company but a good one. They will hire him. I drove for almost 20 years and left and came back to Swift a few times. If nothing else it a great place to start in the trucking world. As a rule ALWAYS stay away from lease if a company tries to make you. Hit the door running!!!!!!!! Good luck to your family.

 

C. R. England still has the 50% discount on the $20.99 yogurt at just the slc, terminal? I like the GB leasing program, 13.5% is a very competitive logical interest rate when purchasing a mustang or 2012 chevy. Now I know you guys are just so jealous I love earning 22 cpm x shortest air miles. Ya I considered doing the c.r.e. lease program, but I figured $0.98 per mile minus the variable wasn't a whole lot better then the 22 cpm. I am no mathematician though let me think her, they still require you to drive every night and then run the sleeper birth split perversion rule right?

DanE. is developing a new driver pilot program, all commercial drivers are required to get a commercial pilots license with the corresponding FAA medical card. Horizon has made a deal with Airbus and Boeing to add wings and 4 prop engines to all Cascadias by 2014. Under the FAA regulations the commercial driver pilot can now hit the big green button on the windshield to enable auto-pilot mode before going to sleep. If the automated pilot system fails 3 alarms go off at the same time, 1. stall warning 2. engine fire alarm 3. self destruct countdown initiation timer. This way all Walmart loads can only cost $0.50 per mile, via the new sky mile program. If the commercial driver pilot tries to land without contacting the appropriate tower frequencies and getting the necessary clearances, the automated anti air missiles become initiated and then the driver pilot has 3.4 seconds to land before all 4 engines fail. DanE. refused to comment about the new commercial driver pilot program.

 

This economy drives good people to terrible jobs. Cr england is vulture capitalism,hiring the unwanted then treating them like idiots. I know from my 16 months there.

 

What was their excuse during robust economic times?

 

Greed

 

the above story is true, I worked for CR England for 7 months and it was pure lies, deception. This has to be one of the worst companies out there. I have bee through five companies because I have high standars on how to be treated and England is the worst of the five. I am now with a good trucking company, they are out there, just keep trying one till you fit in and are treated well. There is high demand for drivers because there is a shortage, you have the power to find a decent company and the big ones are not always the best.