Schneider national skills test

When I went through it was as an experience driver 9.5 years, with a bunch of bad habits according to Schneider. One hand on wheel one on stick, shifting through Intersection, shifting through turn, taking turns in high range, floated & never touched clutch etc. Basically take your time do whatever they want to pass and don't hit anything. There backing test at terminal was simple set up like Alley dock between 2 trailers tester told me take your time you have 20min. I laughed and said really. In class they will have you lift and carry stuff, bend under table to simulate going under trailer, pull a certain amount of weight to simulate pulling 5th wheel release, and climb up onto table simulate climbing into trailer. They will monitor your heart rate after each activity. Don't stress out it sounds more complicated than it is. Good luck

 

Here's a hint.... if they offer an automatic take it and say thank you.....

You gotta start somewhere.

 

I used to train for Schneider Bulk. They are not the same program but similar. You have to have more than a pulse to drive with Schneider. Your friend who hit the trailer had to have ignored repeated instructions or panicked. I suppose it could have been an inattentive instructor but I find that unlikely. I would bet that he is just not ready to drive and honestly, he never will be. Some people will just not make it.

You are worried you might be sent back. Well let me say this. If you fail, then you shouldn't be driving. Even of you really want to drive. If you can't do it then you won't make it anyway. Even if they gave you the keys and a load you wouldn't make this a career because you will either wreck out, burn out or get fired. So basically, don't worry, you either have the skills or you don't. Most likely, you have the skills. Most people make it, driving is not that hard and most people are wired to become proficient.

Your friend who didn't make it isn't stupid, he just doesn't have the wiring to drive a big truck and that's okay. Lots of other jobs out there. So relax, you have to get through this to get the job so just do it.

Good luck!

 

Like Ethos said, it takes effort to fail orientation. We'll work with you as long as you're putting forth the effort. If you're having issues we'll tell you EXACTLY what you need to do to fix them. The problem is when guys don't listen. They hear the words, they can repeat the words back to the instructor but they don't actually listen and internalize the instruction/correction.

The only real difference between your CDL school and "Schneider shifting" is the addition of Bump and Runs. B&R is simply skipping gears as you downshift. It makes life easier - getting appropriate gear at the appropriate time without having to hit every gear on the way down. The guys that have trouble generally aren't watching their gauges. As soon as I get guys watching the gauges shifting issues magically disappear.

Head over to the Schneider section and check out Diesel Fuel Only's thread, it gives a nice run down of what to expect in terms of instruction.

https://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/forums/schneider.233/
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/t...y-adventures-of-a-new-solo-otr-driver.205116/

Other advice:

• bring a small pad of paper to take notes in.
• Get your rest, it's a long three weeks. Don't expect to sit around the hotel on Sunday taking a 34. Chances are you'll have to travel to meet your TE.
• Read the Highway to Success chapters on Work Flow, Map Reading, and Trip Planning before getting on your TE's truck. It will make things make more sense.
• Ask questions, then listen to the answers. Take notes if necessary.
• We don't expect perfection so don't worry about mistakes. It's not the mistake that matters, it's how you respond to it.
• Things take the time they take. Don't rush yourself. That said, learn to be efficient. Going slow and being thorough is more time effective than going fast and having to redo things.
• Bring a black and a blue pen (practice logs second week have a black grid)

Good luck.

 

I don't drive for Schneider anymore but I still do almost everything the "Schneider Way", that's how good I think the training is there. They will train you right.

 

If you don't mind my asking, where did you go when you left SNI, and why?

 

I went to Trimac because they paid way more at the time. That gap has closed though.