Werner/Swift/Schneider questions

based on all I've heard, and what little I've seen - I'd pass on Swift and Werner - unless you are desperate. Schneider- I've heard good and bad about how they treat company drivers.. probably less bad than many other companies. Can't recall that I've ever heard anything bad about their training. That's a big plus, in my book. I'd happily work for a little less if it meant I was getting top-notch training (don't tell anybody!) - though I don't think they pay badly for entry-level.

 

I am not basing my opinions on the opinions of others. I work for Werner, and I will say that at this point regardless of the company if you are going solo as a trainee you may have an issue. Expect to wait a while for a truck, and expect slow loads for the next few months. Thats said if you can get pass this slow period I find Werner to be a good company. If you have more specific question regardign policy, equipment, etc on Werner I'd be happy to assist.

Schnedier training is good as it pretty much pays for all things including hazmat endorsement, lodging, some food, the cdl itself, but you have to read the fine print on that carefully. I have no expierence with the Swift school.

Werner doesn't train but they work with many schools that do and that have flexible financing options. If you have the ability to pay for the schooling yourself (in the range of 5 k ish) you will make more your first year.

Now this part is just off of things I have heard, Swift and Schneider have basically stopped training.

 

No, Schneider still trains. Well at least they have a cdl course that you take that is 14 days long. That's 168 hours in 14 days. I am in the Dallas OC now. Still griding gears even on my 3rd day of driving. Still can't bump and run without problems yet. It gets confusing slowing but not stopping, watching mirrors, making sure nobody is coming down the offramp, and changing gears at the same time, plus you have to keep the RPM's and speed the right numbers. Anyway, just saying they still have a school.

 

I remember that part, I'd never seen a stick shift before school for trucking gosh I thought I'd never get it right, but ya will.

Thanks for updating me on the school. Went to that school they have there, were it was like a requirement you stay at the La Quinta Inn of Death, where the cops randomly drop by to run all the liscense plates to see if any cars are stolen.

 

Looking at it from - of course - my point of view, I think you are better off learning to drive a truck (double clutch) if you have never driven a stick before. I've been driving a stick for .. um... well, a few years. I have a lot of habits that are good in a car, but are BAD in a truck.

Bad habit #1 - putting clutch to the floor when I shift.

Bad habit #2 - trying to shift to quickly.

There are others, but those two are the killers

 

Is Swift a decent company to start out with?

 

Well, I drive for Swift and I'm very happy here.

 

.... you know i know Werner has issues... but all company's do... some more than others. I have been with Werner for 10 years. yes we have had difference of option. but i stepped back looked at the issue and went back and got it fixed. i have gotten dispatchers straightened up. I have gotten out safety department involved, i have gone way up the food chain to get things fixed. One thing i tell people if you feel your right then do what you have to do to make things right.. It deose not matter if its Werner, Swift, JB Hunt, Schneider, CR England, or any other company trucking or not you need to stand up for your self.

 

Why are those bad habits for a truck?