Current Choice driver

drvrtech77 · Apr 14, 2017

Knightcrawler said: ↑

Trip planning isnt an issue for me. I used to be a computer programmer for 9 years back in the 70s and 80s and 4 of those years was writing truck dispatching software. And I owned a print shop for 9 years as well, so I do know how to handle a business. Like I said, I have poked around their board a fair amount and Im fairly confident I can make a go of it there. I just have to wait until maybe March of next year because of that 1 stupid ticket (what I did was legal in about half the states I run in and I did it because I THOUGHT it was legal in Mn - lesson learned). So the only question is do I stay put until then, or try Choice. If I could get a look at their board I could decide that for myself. But dealing with the Pumpkins has always scared me and no way will I go to them blind.
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You could also try and ask any Sni IC that you come across if they could you know show you anything

RStewart · Apr 14, 2017

Knightcrawler said: ↑

Trip planning isnt an issue for me. I used to be a computer programmer for 9 years back in the 70s and 80s and 4 of those years was writing truck dispatching software. And I owned a print shop for 9 years as well, so I do know how to handle a business. Like I said, I have poked around their board a fair amount and Im fairly confident I can make a go of it there. I just have to wait until maybe March of next year because of that 1 stupid ticket (what I did was legal in about half the states I run in and I did it because I THOUGHT it was legal in Mn - lesson learned). So the only question is do I stay put until then, or try Choice. If I could get a look at their board I could decide that for myself. But dealing with the Pumpkins has always scared me and no way will I go to them blind.
Click to expand...

The load board & the freight available will be your least worry at Schneider. To me, the program is going downhill. But, I believe it is a good training ground for a new owner op regardless of whether the driver buys a truck or leases a truck from Schneider. With that being said, knowing what I know now I would pick LS over Schneider. Also, I don't think Schneider is letting guys bring on their own truck, but if they are it will have strict requirements to be met before they will let you bring it on.

Long story short (too late for that now) no IC on choice in their right mind will give out their info to anyone outside their spouse.

If I was you, I would skip the baby step & go straight to a true owner op company like LS.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

Knightcrawler · Apr 14, 2017

I talked to a guy named Blane I think it was on monday and he never said anything about a screenshot, but he did say he was new. He was the one that told me to find an O/O and look on his account.

Knightcrawler · Apr 14, 2017

drvrtech77 said: ↑

You could also try and ask any Sni IC that you come across if they could you know show you anything
Click to expand...

I dont spend any time at all in truckstops and I havent had a CB in my truck since the 90s.

Knightcrawler · Apr 14, 2017

RStewart said: ↑

The load board & the freight available will be your least worry at Schneider. To me, the program is going downhill. But, I believe it is a good training ground for a new owner op regardless of whether the driver buys a truck or leases a truck from Schneider. With that being said, knowing what I know now I would pick LS over Schneider. Also, I don't think Schneider is letting guys bring on their own truck, but if they are it will have strict requirements to be met before they will let you bring it on.

Long story short (too late for that now) no IC on choice in their right mind will give out their info to anyone outside their spouse.

If I was you, I would skip the baby step & go straight to a true owner op company like LS.

Good luck in whatever you choose.
Click to expand...

Yeah, well thats why I wanted to see the board for myself. I was reading a blog a guy was writing here on TR about his experiences with Choice and he started off very positive. By the end of his blog, he was bailing out of it because all the good paying stuff started going to their company drivers and the only thing left was heavy and short runs. But it was a few years ago, so I thought I would see if things had changed from then.

Edit: It doesnt sound like it has lol.

RStewart · Apr 14, 2017

Knightcrawler said: ↑

Yeah, well thats why I wanted to see the board for myself. I was reading a blog a guy was writing here on TR about his experiences with Choice and he started off very positive. By the end of his blog, he was bailing out of it because all the good paying stuff started going to their company drivers and the only thing left was heavy and short runs. But it was a few years ago, so I thought I would see if things had changed from then.

Edit: It doesnt sound like it has lol.
Click to expand...

I've been on choice for almost 2 years. This is my last week. I'll be in orientation Monday. I may not make much more money, if any more, but I won't be putting up with Schneider anymore & that is worth a lot to me. Schneider still has good paying loads but not as many as they used to offer us. I still have really good weeks but they aren't that consistent like they used to be. I don't know how true it is but I've heard Schneider has lost 300 ICs in the last few weeks.

Knightcrawler · Apr 14, 2017

driverdriver said: ↑

I'm curious though is it normal at Estes to be there as long as you and still not be able to get a bid route?
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The Minneapolis terminal didnt open until 08 so all the line haul guys are younger than I was (Im 60 now) and they werent adding any more routes. Hadnt for at least 4 years, so I would have been on the open board until I retired or died (or some of them left, which they didnt). And frankly I dont know that I would have wanted it. I live 40+ miles from the yard and I wouldnt have wanted an every night meet. Estes has 5 different pay rates for drivers.

1) City drivers get X amount an hour (no OT)
2) Combo drivers drive 100-200 miles to a nearby city (paid by the mile for that) and then work that city by the hour and then mileage pay home.
3) Hub drivers go to another terminal and work the dock. Basically the same as Combo, but they make more per mile and more per hour.
4) Linehaul bid drivers go from here to there (usually meeting another driver, but sometimes a laydown). They get paid by the mile more than the Hub drivers.
5) Open board linehaul are slaves that work directly for central. Highest mileage pay.

mxpx148 · Apr 14, 2017

Knightcrawler said: ↑

The Minneapolis terminal didnt open until 08 so all the line haul guys are younger than I was (Im 60 now) and they werent adding any more routes. Hadnt for at least 4 years, so I would have been on the open board until I retired or died (or some of them left, which they didnt). And frankly I dont know that I would have wanted it. I live 40+ miles from the yard and I wouldnt have wanted an every night meet. Estes has 5 different pay rates for drivers.

1) City drivers get X amount an hour (no OT)
2) Combo drivers drive 100-200 miles to a nearby city (paid by the mile for that) and then work that city by the hour and then mileage pay home.
3) Hub drivers go to another terminal and work the dock. Basically the same as Combo, but they make more per mile and more per hour.
4) Linehaul bid drivers go from here to there (usually meeting another driver, but sometimes a laydown). They get paid by the mile more than the Hub drivers.
5) Open board linehaul are slaves that work directly for central. Highest mileage pay.
Click to expand...

Estes open board was about the only LTL position I've ever heard of that interested me, just for the fact I would have to spend 1 1/2 hours round trip everyday going back and forth to Scranton, on top of a 12-14 hour day. Unfortunately, Scranton almost never posts those positions...almost always local positions

tazman74 · Apr 17, 2017

Ok here goes I am from Prior Lake MN and I can tell you there IS freight in and out of Mn all the time, some good some crap. I will answer what I can.

48Packard · Apr 17, 2017

RStewart said: ↑

The load board & the freight available will be your least worry at Schneider. To me, the program is going downhill. But, I believe it is a good training ground for a new owner op regardless of whether the driver buys a truck or leases a truck from Schneider. With that being said, knowing what I know now I would pick LS over Schneider. Also, I don't think Schneider is letting guys bring on their own truck, but if they are it will have strict requirements to be met before they will let you bring it on.

Long story short (too late for that now) no IC on choice in their right mind will give out their info to anyone outside their spouse.

If I was you, I would skip the baby step & go straight to a true owner op company like LS.

Good luck in whatever you choose.
Click to expand...

This "transitional" approach was what drew me to Choice. I knew I'd probably go either full independent or exit the industry post-lease. It was a good option for me, though I agree with the assessment that the program isn't as good as just a few years ago.

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