Schneider Instructor

The biggest part to all of this is being recommended by your DBL. Without that you will never become a trainer. Doesn't matter how much time you have.

 

Training drivers can be an amazing experience or a never ending nightmare! I do it for Abilene Motor Express out of Richmond VA. Not nearly the size of Schneider, about 400 units on the road. We have about 10 full time trainers and we will take fresh students if their creds and background pass. Student grads run SuperSolo with a trainer for 1-2 months and then move to team drive for a while. Then they go for 2-3 weeks exclusively to the Northeast for "finishing" and then they get their own truck. The program is 3-4 months. If someone is exceptionally good they can graduate earlier too. I used to do the students and the team driving but it wasn't for me. Trying to team a load from say VA to CA non-stop 40-45 hrs, turn and burn back to VA or NC the whole time trying to train the student on your off-duty time. And then repeat over and over...BURNING THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS!!! It all but killed me and my nerves trying to get adequate rest and I am a healthy 38yr old.
I really love training and it is crucial for every company. We need more drivers because our freight volume is nonstop expanding every month new national accts etc. Ops just bought 35 2015 volvo 780's for the first quarter, not replacement trucks. None of our equip is older than 2012. So demand is very high. Not bragging or recruiting but the need for drivers and several more trainers! Just fact.
I proposed to them a solution to me continuing to train, they accepted and now I "finish" the students in all those lovely states in the Northeast, no teaming, just SuperSolo so we sleep in a parked truck every night and my quality of life is much better now. And sanity! I can deal with the traffic, NYC, Boston, etc. I have a lot of experience there and our drivers, most, will see at least 2-3 solo runs every 2 weeks up there. So far so good and I get more time at home.
Bottom line is being a trainer is an honor and privilege. Its not about the money, I get paid about 15% more than I did solo running 3200-3600 mi a week consistently. Its a huge responsibility to turn these drivers over to dispatch as fully qualified. Your rep is on the line! Its about adding value to your company and the industry as a whole. You normally will make a lasting impression on the grad and in addition to growing the company obviously, hopefully a friend for life. Thats why I do it and will continue to do it. It was done for me by a man in 1994 when I was 18 and could only drive inside VA until 21. I still talk to this old fella once a year and I spent more years in operations and safety than actually on the road! Thats the kind of influence my trainer had in my life and I pray i leave that impression on my grads! Dont do it for the money!

 

No. They had a % several yrs ago. Our owner bought it out. Were a sole entity. We still lease yard space from them though.

 

I've been a Trainer, an instructor, a 3ed party examiner. Certified by my state as a "Vocational Education Instructor".

For me. It's not worth it.

 

My super trucker son in law (1 yr experience ) says he wants to train so he can "teach" newbies the "correct " way to drive. He also views this as a great way to make lots of extra money. I am a retired driver but I know nothing. Over all he is pretty safe,,,but looks for a reason to stop every time it clouds up,gets a bit windy, or snows. Nothing wrong with taking shelter, but ya gotta step up. To me his biggest challenge is sleep management. He works great from 06:00--20:00...beyond that he needs someone to chat with over the phone to keep him awake.
What will Schneider expect of him and his student? Will he make hundreds of extra dollars each week ? Will he run team ? Will Schneider keep him on long hauls or do PU & live led and unld ? He is Midwest regional, will he see mountains ? Cali or NYC ? When I trained we were exposed to as many experiences as possible.
How long would you give him before he starts whining ? Lol. Thanks...