Local vs Regional question, should I go with Schneider?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Dragonheart, Nov 7, 2018.

  1. Dragonheart

    Dragonheart Light Load Member

    100
    62
    Aug 24, 2018
    0
    I retired from law enforcement in 2015, opened my own businesses and now want to travel. My wife will join me in a few years. My girls are both in high school. I’m used to a organized business with communication. I have never been away from my family for more than a few days but I’ve always wanted to be a truck driver.

    I graduated a CDL school in August 2018 . Knight Transportation offered me a job and I took it. My first day of orientation we went to the doctors for physicals and drug tests. I assumed it would be more in the way of information but we were not told very much. I was called by a local trucking company (Pepsi) and was asked to come in for an interview, so I left Knight and told them I will probably take a local job.

    I’m in good shape but I do have some old injuries (I’m 44), working for Pepsi is hard work, I drive to convenience stores, family dollars, dollar generals, and other places unload the truck, stack the pallet onto a dolly or cart, and then stock the stores. From 800 to 1100 cases per day Monday through Friday, to make it worse I have to deal with ####### customers ( store clerks, idiots, pallets that are not stacked correctly, and I’m paid per day not hour 110 a day)

    I work 12-14 hours per day go home wake up start at 2:00 am Monday- Friday

    I still look for regional and over the road jobs. I’m thinking if I find something and I’m gone Monday through Friday it wouldn’t be much different except a lot less physical work.
    Schnieder Trucking has just offered me a job .36 a mile 1800-2200 miles per week and home on the weekends. They told me a four day orientation and I get the keys to a truck that I take home

    I’ve also been told by a company 90 miles away that once I have six months experience I can appply and get the job. My only problem is I don’t know if my body will make it the six months lol

    So now my questions?

    I currently make 700 a week schnieder will pay between 600-800 per week. Will regional take more from my pocket because I have to buy food?

    Will regional give me better experience. I back into one dock a week and back into several places that are tough. I work only in the city with heavy traffic. I am in Florida so I’m thinking regional will give me some snow and possibly mountains.

    My biggest thing is time away. I’ve always wanted to the OTR driver but being away from the wife and kids will suck. Right now I pretty much only see them on the weekend but I’m still home every day. How do people deal with being gone?

    Are all local driving jobs this many hours 12-14 hours a day?

    I’m not expecting any communication from schnieder so more of a statement to say if I go I’m not going to expect a lot of info, so will the lack of training mess me up because I’m not even sure where to take showers but I’m sure I’m intelligent enough to figure it out (I think).

    Thanks for any input or advice. I know a long message but I try to get as much info as I can
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

    3,368
    6,527
    Jan 30, 2012
    Charlotte, N.Carolina
    0
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,039
    142,323
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Most local jobs are labor intensive.
    Check with Benny Whitehead Trucking in Eufaula and find out if he has any weekend home jobs.
    Tanker work is easy and should be some openings around Pensacola and Mobile.
     
    Dragonheart Thanks this.
  5. Dcarfora

    Dcarfora Bobtail Member

    7
    3
    Oct 10, 2018
    0
    OTR is rough, local is much better and most times for company drivers the pay is competitive with OTR
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 7, 2018
    Reason for edit: Fixed quote
    Dragonheart Thanks this.
  6. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

    1,176
    4,300
    Sep 26, 2012
    0
    Saddle Creek Logistics in Florida.
     
  7. Dragonheart

    Dragonheart Light Load Member

    100
    62
    Aug 24, 2018
    0
    Is schnieder a bad idea? The mobile area will hire me with six months experience
     
  8. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

    1,176
    4,300
    Sep 26, 2012
    0
    If it is a Schneider dedicate account, it might involve late night/early morning driving. If you are not comfortable driving all night, don't take it. Go OTR with Schneider instead. At Schneiderjobs.com punch in your zip code and see the jobs in your area. The regional with 95% no touch freight might be ideal for you. They are known for being a tolerant company, long hair, beards, tatoos ok. If you find someone stranded, they don' mind you stopping to help them.
     
    Bluedew Thanks this.
  9. Dragonheart

    Dragonheart Light Load Member

    100
    62
    Aug 24, 2018
    0
    Thank you no openings r
    They gave me a pre hire for regional. It seems like it would be okay don’t really know much about them
     
    Bluedew Thanks this.
  10. Thull

    Thull Medium Load Member

    652
    919
    Dec 7, 2015
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    0
    I did tankers with Schneider regional right at a year & Loved it! Great company decent pay. I would definitely recommend. Only reason I left was to be local & home with kids (5&3).
     
    Bob Dobalina Thanks this.
  11. Dragonheart

    Dragonheart Light Load Member

    100
    62
    Aug 24, 2018
    0
    I’m going to take the regional job with Schneider
    Should I buy a gps, if so which one?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.