New Driver Coming on Board.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Kenai, Nov 28, 2015.

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  1. Nov 28, 2015 #1
    Kenai

    Kenai Light Load Member

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    I am starting a second career at age 56 as a professional driver. I have driven tankers and fire vehicles exempted for some years. I am getting my permit and tanker, haz-mat, and double endorsements on my own, and am paying a local New Jersey driving school for training, and to use their truck for the CDL-A test.
    Planning to hire on with Schneider after I pass my road test. I hear they have a very good training program, and treat there drivers well. Prime is my back up company if something goes sideways with Schneider, but I would rather not have to be owing $3500, to the company for CDL training, right out of the box.
    If anyone has some useful advice for an older rookie driver just breaking into the business, please have at it.
     
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    #1
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  3. Nov 28, 2015 #2
    TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Sure.

    Many people going in to training, ask advice. They get advice from negative people, and so they start a job on the wrong foot. "I don't do this. I don't go here. I demand this..."

    They act like a bunch of little divas.

    My advice to you, Mr Kenai, is simple. You have a game plan. STICK WITH THE PLAN. No one is here to win a popularity contest. You're not there to be buddies with your trainer and your dispatcher. You're there to learn the ropes. The ultimate goal is for Mr Kenai to become an excellent driver. Not being able to chain up, or not running the northeast is like being a fighter and refusing to fight a mandatory challenger because he's a southpaw. To be the undisputed champ, you have to be willing to take on all challenges.

    Luck in battle.
     
    TripleSix, Nov 28, 2015
    TripleSix, Nov 28, 2015
    #2
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  4. Nov 28, 2015 #3
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Watkins-Shepard is a good outfit in Sayreville and hires new CDL grads.

    What type training program is Schneider offering?
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2015
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    #3
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  5. Nov 28, 2015 #4
    Kenai

    Kenai Light Load Member

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    18 days training at their Carlisle PA center for van/flatbed, or 30 days for the tanker division. It is about a 2 hours from where I live in Jersey. Can start as soon as I pass my road test. I can start on a dedicated regional run from Jersey to Maine hauling water, or flatbed for a paper company, or dedicated Amazon runs. They pay a lot of extras that most other big outfits don't offer, I am told. I will see what they actually offer on paper before I sign anything. Prime pays a better cpm to drive their light Cascadias, but I would be on the hook with them for $3500. for their training school. I will have to ask the Prime recruiter on Monday, if I have to pay for training, if I already have my CDL-A.
    Thanks for the heads up on Watkins-Shepard. They are real close for me. I will give them a call on Monday, and see what they have to say.
     
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    #4
  7. Nov 28, 2015 #5
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    If you go with Schneider, go with tanker division. Twelve months with tankers and many, many doors open for high paying tanker jobs.
     
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    #5
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  8. Nov 28, 2015 #6
    Kenai

    Kenai Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the advice.
     
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    Kenai, Nov 28, 2015
    #6
  9. Nov 28, 2015 #7
    HorseShoe

    HorseShoe Road Train Member

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    I would rather pay 3500 to not drive a pumpkin. But atleast you will be above 60mph lol
     
    HorseShoe, Nov 28, 2015
    HorseShoe, Nov 28, 2015
    #7
  10. Nov 28, 2015 #8
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Watkins-Shepard in Sayreville is a dedicated account which means good home time. They're real picky there about who they hire and your age is a big plus. Trucking isn't like other types of jobs where the older you get the less your chances of being hired.
    Schneider Bulk - tankers
    Watkins-Shepard
    Abilene Motor Express
    Tyson Foods
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2015
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    Chinatown, Nov 28, 2015
    #8
    Kenai Thanks this.
  11. Nov 28, 2015 #9
    HorseShoe

    HorseShoe Road Train Member

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    No offense to the man but I don't think he wants to be slinging furniture around at 56. I wouldn't :p
     
    HorseShoe, Nov 28, 2015
    HorseShoe, Nov 28, 2015
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  12. Nov 28, 2015 #10
    freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

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    Hey I like my orange trailers, it's bright and stands out which is a safety bonus when you share the road with Swift and Fedrex.
     
    freightwipper, Nov 28, 2015
    freightwipper, Nov 28, 2015
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