? about A/C and heating in Schneider Trucks

For heat, there's a bunk heater that burns diesel, IME they work pretty well to keep the chill off. For AC, well. The way it works is our trucks have a temperature sensor that WILL allow them to idle if its hot or cold enough. The anti-idle thing will kill the engine after a minute or two, UNLESS the temperature is over 80 or below 15. And everyone's sensor works different and some are whacky, so don't quote me on those temps. So basically we do idle under those conditions. Its not all that awful, but I'm sure an APU is nice to have. I believe the tanker guys can idle all they want, or at least I heard that somewhere. You might look into that side of things, Houston is a big hiring area for SNI tanker.

 

ok, just to clear the air. You CAN idle. For both heat and a/c. There is a sensor that cuts idle between 20 - 70 degrees F. In winter or cold temps you have a bunk heater that is MORE THAN sufficient to roast you. In heat you can idle for AC. BUT there is a Idle % threshold that will begin to affect your ability to make bonus. Each quarter has its own criteria. Your dbl(should you hire in) will lay all that out for you. Region of the country has an effect too. In some places those drivers get preference for a Freightliner system called ParkSmart. Look it up to see what its about.

14/7 ad you saw, did it say it accepted inexperienced? How long it takes depends on how popular that schedule is in your area. You will slipseat.

Average TE time out seems to be 1 week. Depends on you and how well you exhibit the SNI policies and skill in driving/backing. TE will determine that.

 

Was a company driver until recently and 70 was the top end for idle cutoff and yes the sensors do vary a bit. Generally I found the cooling to be kinda ok. Get one of those fans for the marginal days and you'll be fine. Now as for the heater, it rocks. Pull the interior curtains shut and it'll roast you out of the truck. ....

 

Personally I would not drive where I couldn't idle. I mean they say they want safe, well rested drivers but the idle sensors seem to fly in the face of those. It doesn't seem to be an unreasonable request that a person who lives weeks away from home at a time with very few comforts of home be allowed to at least be comfortable when they sleep.
I say don't reward them, go elsewhere. The question shouldn't be can you sleep in 80 degree heat, the question should be why should you. We have technology, old old technology, that allows people to live and work in comfort. You know, like the office people do.

Now those of us in the bulk division can idle all we want so that would be an option.