am I crazy

Discussion in 'Schneider' started by jeffo51, Dec 27, 2013.

  1. jeffo51

    jeffo51 Bobtail Member

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    I just got hired on with SNI for a new dedicated acct. for John Deere running from Dallas to Austin. It doesn't start up until late February. I go to Dalllas for orientation on Jan. 6th. When I finish in dallas they are going to fly me to Denver to help them out for a month or so because they tell me that they need help in that area. My concern is...I have never driven in the mountains or in ice and snow and It will be the dead of winter. Ive pulled dry bulk in Texas only for 10 years. Oh, and Ive never pulled a 53 ft trailer or bumped a dock. They aren't sending me out with a trainer at all as far as I know. Should I be doing this? I need the job but am concerned with what I am getting myself into. Im looking for advice and opinions.
     
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  3. 900,000-tons-of-steel

    900,000-tons-of-steel Road Train Member

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    Go for it. Slow speeds are your best friend.
     
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  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    With 10 yrs exp how did you get away with not driving in ice,snow and the mountains?What kind of trucking have you done?If you have zero exp,you better tell Schneider.You could be setting yourself up for a wreck or termination if Schneider has to learn this the hard way.
     
    Snowshoes and KW Cajun Thank this.
  5. "Hang - Man"

    "Hang - Man" Heavy Load Member

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    Just curious jeffo51, why Schneider - just my opinion but Schneider doesn't seem to pay that great or should i say that the 1st year drivers seem to average about $500.00 a week (Thats just from what i read and maybe others are doing better). So OK even if you go to Schneider, with 10 years experience why not tell them you are only interested in tankers and will wait till there is an opening --seems like you would be going backwards pulling dry van freight ? But what do i know about it.
     
  6. jeffo51

    jeffo51 Bobtail Member

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    because its a salaried position, Monday thru Friday home every night and weekends. Im in the concrete business and when it rains we get shut down, its dry bulk tanker not liquid
     
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  7. "Hang - Man"

    "Hang - Man" Heavy Load Member

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    OK cool --was just curious !
    Also does dry bulk tanker not translate or considered in the liquid tanker world ?
     
  8. Vito

    Vito Heavy Load Member

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    Why don't you just call the Safety Department, tell them the situation, and ask them if they can arrange a trainer for you, just to be on the safe side? If it doesn't work out, then you've got your answer. Problem solved.
     
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  9. Truckergirl0720

    Truckergirl0720 Medium Load Member

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    I think I would explain to them your worries.... You don't want to get there and get nervous and mess up!
     
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  10. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    I have a lot of questions (maybe too many to ask) that only you would have the answer to, as far as your capabilities to handle driving steeper grades, ice, & snow safely.
    I realize the "actual driving" of these is totally unfamiliar to you, but do you have the required knowledge of how to do this type of driving safely?
    I'm referring to things such as knowing the proper gearing for the grade, knowing to be in that gear before you descend the grade, knowing the "tricks" of trying to maintain traction on icy/snowy roadways, thorough knowledge of what to look for in brake checking & adjustment, etc, etc.

    Although there is no substitute for actual road experience in these conditions, the more mechanical & "on paper" knowledge you have, the better.
    I would try to talk to SNI, possibly even if it comes to contacting safety dept (I'm unfamiliar with safety dept, as I drove for smaller companies w/o one), and request an experienced trainer at least for a brief period, in getting you on the right track, as far as mountain, snow, and winter driving. You may be fine doing it without a trainer, but without knowing your skill level & knowledge, for these type of conditions, I'd just be guessing.

    If you get there and find yourself overly nervous over the road grades and conditions, because these are too foreign of conditions for you, that would not be good either. I wouldn't worry nearly as much with pulling a 53' or bumping docks, as driving the grades and winter conditions. How is your backing skills, btw?
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2013
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  11. mickeyrat

    mickeyrat Road Train Member

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    [QUOTE="Hang - Man";3741997]Just curious jeffo51, why Schneider - just my opinion but Schneider doesn't seem to pay that great or should i say that the 1st year drivers seem to average about $500.00 a week (Thats just from what i read and maybe others are doing better). So OK even if you go to Schneider, with 10 years experience why not tell them you are only interested in tankers and will wait till there is an opening --seems like you would be going backwards pulling dry van freight ? But what do i know about it.[/QUOTE]
    dedicated is where its at.

    Jeff see if Dallas has a simulator? It isnt like the real thing at all, but can help? I would think they have a lot closer accounts that need the help in. Doesnt hurt to ask for both and definately pipe up to recruiter about your concerns.
     
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