I'm very fortunate in that I was given 3-years notice that my job was going away (plant closing) on 1-1-15. Not many people get that much notice and I'm using this time to get ready while my pastures are still very green. I'm very well compensated for what I do and have the ability to save 15-20k a year for my rainy day. That along with 14 months of salary and benefits once I get the axe will set me up nicely for a trucking career if I elect to do that. Heck, they will even pay for my training as part of re-education benefits. I'll be 53 with 14 years to work unless the ###h0!e politicians screw us all out of our social security in which case I guess I'll die at work.
That being said, I'll have about 50k to invest in a good used tractor once I have between 12-18 months of experience. I don't want to even think about leasing because from what I've read on this forum it's kinda like sliting your wrists but you bleed out more slowly. I want the best of both worlds (company driver & O/O) with some benefits and support of a large company and heard that Schneider is a fairly streight-up company who will take care of it's "good, law-biding" drivers. I really don't want to purchase a trailer and get locked into one kind of freight and want to keep my options open. Is Schneider a good company to do this with and will the money be that much better if I own my own tractor? My reason for owning is probably trivial to most but I want to set my truck up the way I want it and not have to worry about giving it up if I want a week off. I want an APU, A/C in the summer and Heat in the winter. A good frig, TV, etc...
Is this possible or am I just blowing smoke up my own keister?
Schneider O/O or Company Driver - Which is Best?
Discussion in 'Schneider' started by NobodysFool, Jul 6, 2012.
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Hope this helps somewhat.US MARINE Thanks this. -
Choice program is great for having your schedule the way you want it. A week off no problem (as long as you have enough for the truck payment, etc.) but if your pumpkins are all in a row you can pretty much run it the way that works best for you. As long as the truck is legal and passes dot inspection and Schneider inspection (pretty much the same thing) the only thing you have in your truck that Schneider requires and has say over is the QualComm which they provide and pay for so it's all good.
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Does any one know if Schneider forces the lease drivers to slow their trucks down?
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OK, that's good. Wanna be sure, Im seriously considering going with them. Slower trucks to me means, more time wasted, there is a time to have that truck moving... I'm not into counting leaves and blades of grass on an open road longer then I have too ya know? Thanks for the info driver, I appreciate your reply...
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Can anyone give me an idea what kind of rates Schneider has? I'd appreciate any input.
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It'd be nice if some of the Schneider o/o would reply to this post. I'm curious too as I've heard many conflicting stories when it comes to being an o/o, and usually not in favor of due to repair and service cost. For now I'm just a company seat warmer and am quite happy to drop off the rig for repairs and hop into another one to continue my work. If I purchase a rig, it's going to be an antique, cab over and sport a DD 8V92 or 71 under my bum to cruise the vintage truck gatherings. Any who, if I were in your postion, I'd go as a company driver for the first year or longer to get a better idea and some experience before dinging up your own equipment.
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I was with schneider for over 7 years both as company and o/o. Schneider is a good company, they have some issues but all companies do. They have a huge freight base which is a plus. They run elogs which I liked. They are very safety oriented. O/O do make more and it is worth it with that said not everyone is cut out to be an o/o. You have to run smarter not harder. The opportunity for success is there it up to you. No one knows what 2015 will bring but is guess SNI will be around. You need to learn the industry and the company system then buy a truck . 24-36 months then become o/o. Good luck hope this helps.
rodknocker and treedodgingfool Thank this.
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