Schneider newbies= lack of training

So what is the T in OJT ? The GI Bill pays a driver to train himself ?

 

A couple of notes......

1. Rick, what's your problem with SNI and the GI bill?? I would have really appreciated an extra $1200 a month when I first started. It's transitional money and, yes, you are given training and additional training is made available to you. Calm down, man........

2. Worried Mother......SNI is not going to send someone out with $150k+ in equipment and cargo if they don't think the person is ready for the responsibility; simple as that. I do agree however that 3 days, and frankly even a week, is really not enough time to learn what you really need to know. That said, most people will tell you that the most important things they learn, they learn on their own. Soooooooooo, he'll probably be ok. If he doesn't feel comfortable with the set up, he needs to pick up the phone and call SNI, (not his mother) and they will take it from there. Trust me on 2 things, one, they don't want people out there running into stuff if they're not trained properly or sufficiently. They'll bring him back and train him until he feels comfortable and safe. And two, they're not gonna run him off if he raises his hand; drivers are too hard to come by. Tell him to man up and/or speak up. No harm, no foul.

3. Smaggs.......Hidey ho, brother! Good to see you back! You drivin' an errnge truck these days??

 

If he's driving and has had no accidents - that's a great sign. I agree with others that while 3 days is insufficient, Schneider has been in business a long time. They know what to look for and they know how to recognize when someone doesn't have what it takes - in short, they have a pretty decent idea of what they're doing. If they handed your son the keys to one of their trucks, they have at least some degree of confidence in his abilities - including his ability to learn and make his way.

I completely understand your concern. But it would probably help your son a lot to try and show a little of your own confidence in him. That, I think, would do more for him than adding the stress of seeing his mom freak out (meant only in the most respectful way!)

If he does have any accidents, they'll more than likely be very low-speed events, such as backing into something or turning too sharp (or not sharp enough) while navigating truck stops, shippers/receivers, etc.

I know it's hard for you, but my personal opinion is your support and encouragement will do much more for him than your protection.

Just my 2 cents. Keep us posted, please.

 

Yeah, I agree with you about his DBL having too many people to give him any kind of personal attention......it's really not a good thing. He should have been given the number to a mentor, mine was in Charlotte. I never called him because I didn't need to, but it sounds like your son might want to. If he doesn't have a mentor, or is afraid to call, PM me and I will give you my number and he can call me anytime.

Tell him this.......

Do everything in slow motion. You'd be surprised at what you're capable of if you do it VERY slowly.
Keep the truck between the lines and allow for as much space (following distance) as he can without being a hindrance to traffic.
Just because the truck will do 60 or 65, doesn't mean that's how fast you have to drive. 55 is fine and was real comfortable for me when I first started.
Drive during the day and plan on being parked by 6:00.
Trust the Navigo, and try to understand what it is trying to tell you......it takes a while and is not as straightforward as it might seem.

Most importantly, just calm down. Don't be intimidated by other truckers and remember that everyone was where he is right now. He'll be ok.....it's just a little scary the first couple of days.

 

cant be that scary to drive around and do drop n hooks.

 

by the way Schneider it's self insured so if he gets into an accident they will still have to pay and plus a million on that he should speak up no way they would want him to drive if he isn't ready a very safe company for sure

 

FMCSA has been working on driver training requirements for years . They thought they had it but OOIDA sued and had it ruled out because the hours specified didn't include any behind the wheel driving time . It'll be at least 3 years before they can propose an approved plan and have it go into effect .

 

The problem is it's a waste of benefits . It wouldn't take much effort for drivers to find a better carrier that paid $1200 a month more . I think veterans should find a better career than trucking anyway . They deserve better

 

They do deserve better, if that's what they choose. But we might consider that some would go into trucking because they want to. Maybe they want the solitude that can be had driving solo after years of being in the military community? Or maybe they simply want to drive a truck for a living. Just a thought.