Schneider Or Millis, which is better for a new driver?

You had better listen to this guy. I worked for Schneider back in 2000. I drove a cabover for awhile. Don Shneider looked out for us. He isn't around now. Bean counters are in charge. Look for a company that has APU's. You're going to be extremely uncomfortable out there. I worked for them a little last year. I wouldn't go back.

 

4 1/2 years at SNI, 2007-2011. It was after the Don Schneider years, but not as bad as today. I almost went back about six months ago. Glad now that I didn't. I've never worked for Millis, but based solely on some of the recent developments at SNI, I'd choose Millis.

Good luck with whatever you do.

 

U may not have run the 48, but outside of North Dakota and Montana, I have run all the states east of I-25 and Utah,Nevada,Cali with Millis. So I think thats 43 of the 48. Its rare to go east of I-35 but not impossible.

 

Im actually a student right now. Ready for school in the morning. In my own personal opinion, and based on where I live, It would be Schneider without a question. I have done so much research on so many companies. And I have only found one company that could even compare to Schneider. Its is called EPES. Unfortunately, I cant work for them. So, I have been fully focused and dedicated to drive for Schneider tanker division. Hopefully, in 3 to 4 weeks I can get on here and tell you guys about there orientation procedures. This is just my opinion though... Schneider, HANDS DOWN!

 

Tanker division is a different animal, to a degree, then van division at SNI. But I hope you're still just as enthusiastic about SNI in a few months as you are now. Be safe, and good luck to you as well.

 

you will sit some BUT you can idle all you want!!!!! For now anyway.

 

"For now", the key part. I remember reading the monthly newsletters at SNI. Tanker division was always performing lower than plan for whatever reason. You can bank on changes coming down the pike for the tanker yankers as well in the interest of squeezing a buck a little harder....

 

If the SNI trucks in the tanker division have pumps and compressors installed on them for loading/unloading purposes, their idle time is not gonna be anywhere near the rest of the fleet. Just my 2 cents...

 

What is hometime like for regional drivers at Millis?

 

Never worked for Millis, but never heard anything real bad about them.

As far as SNI goes....you have to take the good with the bad.

The good: You will not get ripped out of pay(contrary to what another poster said). One time I wasn't paid for a load, I made a quick phone call, it was on my next check and I got an apology message from payroll. If you know how to work workflow correctly, you will get plenty of miles if you want them. SNI is huge, there are always opportunities with them you may not have at smaller companies. OTR, dedicated, regional, tanker, intermodel....really endless with SNI. For being a big company, I don't get treated like a number. Contrary to popular belief, they have top notch maint. If something is broke, they will fix it, that includes driver comfort(to an extent). Equipment is also being updated.....I don't see many older SNI trucks on the road in my area, I would say at least 75% is upgraded to newer cascadia's.

Now, the Bad: As mentioned, the ambient sensors suck, royally. Having the truck shut off after 4 minutes is a pain. You get use to it, if it is so cold that your batteries drain quick on a break, then you can idle...I am idling right now and will all night. They just changed the bonus structure, which I think sucks as well, it will keep a lot of drivers from getting their bonus(and pay raises). They pay by the household movers guide, not actual miles driven, you usually get shorted getting paid like that. There are still a few issues with workflow that are annoying. Finding an MT trailer is still a PITA. Finding an MT trailer without a flat tire is worse(although I put that more on lazy drivers!)

Ultimately, you have to decide which company suits you better.