Am I Fooling Myself

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Smurfin, Mar 30, 2025.

  1. Smurfin

    Smurfin Bobtail Member

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    Mar 30, 2025
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    So, I have decided to get into trucking.

    I used to drive for a local bus company and was laid off when covid hit 5 years ago. I was forced to find work elsewhere. I miss driving. I have to say out of all the jobs I have had (I'm now 51) the ones where I mainly drove are my favorites jobs.

    I have researched and researched and have decided to take the plunge and get into trucking. Am I fooling myself? I have never done OTR or been in a vehicle driving for more than a day or two.

    I'm a pretty solitary guy. I'm single and do not have any children. I am only responsible for myself. I have squat for bills and a pretty decent amount of cash built up in savings.

    I believe my best route to get into the industry is to go with a MEGA carrier. From all my research Schneider seems to be the best route (I think). I am also considering XPO Logistics since I would be home daily and they have a terminal near me.

    I know the pay starting off will not be great, and I am willing to put in time to get experience and move to something better. How long that takes I'm not sure.

    I live in Minnesota and am semi used to winter driving. Although the idea of driving an 80k pound vehicle in inclement weather kind of scares the living #### out of me :--)

    I have already put in my notice at my current job and am planning to take a month or two off to just chill before starting.

    I'm looking for thoughts or encouragement from those who know. Is it a good time to get into the industry? I not afraid of hard work or long hours...I already put in 12 hours days now...thank you for reading this far...I look forward to hearing from you

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2025
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  3. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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    Welcome. Do you already have a CDL ?
     
  4. Smurfin

    Smurfin Bobtail Member

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    No, I do not have a CDL yet. There is a CDL program here in the city I live in. So I plan to get my CDL with them and than apply to Schneider. After talking to a recruiter for Schneider I was told to go through their apprenticship program I should have a class A cdl and DOT physical
     
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  5. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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    From what I’ve read here, Schneider is a good place to start. Others will be along directly. Best of Luck ~
     
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  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Hiring is slow right now. DO NOT DECIDE about CDL school until you have an employer willing to hire you and aware of your work, driving, criminal history. If your history isn't spotless, you will have a longer than normal wait to get hired. CDL school is a rushed 3 weeks, not a leisurely 5 month process. You will not have time to thoroughly research employers in the few minutes per day you aren't asleep or at school. 1 find the employer, 2 go to whatever school makes sense for that employer.

    The goal is a good job, not easiest path to a CDL & a random job.

    THERE IS NO TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE.
     
  7. Smurfin

    Smurfin Bobtail Member

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    thanks.

    I have a solid work history and my driving record is clean. The plan is to go to the school here in town (160 driving academy) just to get started.
     
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  8. Speedy356

    Speedy356 Medium Load Member

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    You should talk to @Cherokee65 he just started with Schneider recently, he might be along shortly.
     
  9. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    Jun 29, 2016
    West Melbourne Florida
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    Welcome
    Schneider is a good place to start.
    Just be careful about taking too much time off, gaps in employment history can hurt. Time in school counts towards your history so no worries there, just don’t go on an extended vacation :)

    Here’s some practice tests on the forum you can mess around with and give yourself a little head start. General knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles are endorsements that you will need. All others are at your discretion..

    #1 Free 2020 CDL Practice Tests
     
  10. Cherokee65

    Cherokee65 Medium Load Member

    Good plan and that’s exactly what I did. Some have issues with Schneider, so far I haven’t. As a matter of fact, Schneider has been nothing but good to me and my wife. I drive, my wife doesn’t. I got my CDL-A back at the end of December. I started Schneider school on Feb. 3 of this year. Been on the road after my 3 weeks of training and I absolutely love my job. At first they pay $10/hr until you go out on in your company truck. Main thing is to Listen and do everything the Schneider way. I figured they had the equipment and the money so however they want me to do things is exactly the way I’m going to do it. Just pay attention to the details and you’ll go far in this company. I don’t know if they will put you in a brand new truck or not but they did me. I’m in a 2026 Freightliner Cascadia. It had 617 miles on it when I got in it. It now has over 10,000 from 5 weeks of me being in it. I get up early and I probably run my clock too hard but right now I need money to pay my bills. I just can’t stress enough the importance of “GOAL.” Get Out And Look. Even if you think you’ve got the clearance, Get Out And Look anyway just to be sure. I will GOAL as many times as I need to or want to because I never want to be that guy who gets fired because of not GOAL’ing and hitting something. They’ll never say a word if you get out and look 30 times when you’re in training. If it keeps your job and keeps you from hitting something then it’s worth it.
    I actually enjoy working here and right now I can’t see myself working for anyone else. I’ll be 60 in April so I’m no spring chicken. My training was at the W. Memphis OC and I have a lot of respect for every one of my trainers there. Great professional people there and at every OC I have been to so far. They’re there to help you and they truly want you to succeed!
     
  11. Cherokee65

    Cherokee65 Medium Load Member

    I have to say this… I’m Not a recruiter for Schneider. I’m Not getting any kind of compensation from them. As a matter of fact, I would turn down any form of compensation for telling others about my experience at Schneider. I can’t be bought or sold like some others can. Money just doesn’t mean that much to me. The only thing in this life that matters to me is honesty, integrity and the friendships I have while on this big dirt ball. Everything else means nothing to me.
     
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