Asking for suggestions regarding phone interview with Schneider

I have researched SNI. I say Schneider is a great choice. RESPECTED TRAINING PROGRAM. A good company to work for should you decied to stay with them.

You will need to get you CDL permit before you go to their training program. Go to the DMV and pick up the manuel and medical form for the permit right away. Read up on it Sat. and Sun. take the test Mon. The test costs $65.00. Look for a chiropractor to do your medical exam; it should cost around $45-$75 vs a doctor who will charge around $165.00 or more in CA.

Additional info: The chiropractor or doctor MUST be CDL exam qualified.

If you tell them you've got your state manuel for the premit and dr. forms it may look like your prepared when you have your phone interveiw. If you have your permit and medical that could be even better although it will cost you.

They do all the record checks and everything before you go there unlike some companies.

Please let me know if this helped you and what your going to do if you don't mind.

 

Thanks Zombi Woof, I'll look into Millis as well.

 

Thank you Mannmk7. Very valuable advice indeed! I have already downloaded the CA DMV guide for the CDL and will try to get the test out of the way before my interview.

 

I'm glad the info struck you right.

Great to hear your acting right away. You down loaded that guide? You gona read it off the computer? I had them send me the book and doc's. I need to have my hands on the book. It was scary at first. I just read the smallest chapters first, the chapters I liked most. Thats how I got through it. It took a day or two off and on reading. I ended up liking the information and actually enjoyed the material.
It seems like alot of info. to go through at first. But it's not. In it's own way it's not much different than the regular driving test. Good luck. If you find this piece of info helpful go up to the top right and click on the scales if you would, thanks. I hope I will be able to offer up more helpful info.

 

I read Millis website. It sounds like they want $500.00 down. I would assume they want monthly payments. It dosen't say they have a place for you to live, food or pay while training. If you lived in their area it might be worth looking into. Other wise just stay SNI, it's a nobrainer, they seem to take care of you.

 

That may be a good tip but you just can't pick any chiropractor or doctor. They must be qualified to do the exams. They can't just check you over and sign the card and you're good to go. So when you look make sure they know how to do the physical in accordance with the FMCSA.

 

Millis has a problem with their drivers so I don't know if I'd look there or not. In the 30 month inspection time frame they had 38% of their drivers get moving violations. That's 38% out of only 690 drivers. With the equipment coming out with a much better numbers it tells me that the company is not training their drivers or they are just going through them at a very fast rate. It also tells me they don't care about their drivers too. There's much better ones out there.

 

I guess some people don't know this, or won't hear it when they get there medical papers and are told to see an approved examiner. I believe it says on the medical papers to see an approved doctor.

I always want to use this smiley. Hehehe

Thanks GasHauler

 

The 500 bucks up front covers the motel during training. I think the total cost of the training is $2000 and they take $20 a week till it's paid off. Food is not covered, and you have to bring your own shoes.

Hauler, that's the first negative thing I've heard about Millis or their drivers. I'd be interested to hear any other possible negatives.

I interviewed Schneider on the phone, and didn't like their attitude. I realize they are a well respected company that offers quality training. My initial gut feeling was to stay away. I have no solid reasons other than I just don't appreciate the cut of their jib. Also; orange is an irritating color.

My daughter is 12-years-old, and getting home to see her every other weekend is a high priority for me. As she gets into her teenage years, I'm sure that'll be less important (to her, at least). But for now I need to be a consistent presence in her life. As much as a divorced dad can be, anyway. From what I have researched, Millis has the best home time policy. They said 12/3 is no problem. Sni couldn't guarantee I'd be back every three weeks. Same for almost every other company I called. Roehl has a nice home time policy, but requires good credit or a cosigner with good credit.

I guess it comes down to how well a company can meet your needs. It's been my experience that smaller companies are more flexible on a personal level. I worked for six years at Minolta as a tech, and I don't think my dispatcher ever knew my name - I'd call in and say "this is 4129 calling to post". Get my next call, and that was it. No love, man. I don't like being a number. I'm at a smaller company now (better pay even) and my dispatcher is a real sweetheart. Sometimes I call just to chat with her. A friendly working relationship with dispatch can make a huge difference in the day's flavor.

So from a trucking company I want good training, safe equipment, fair pay for a fair day's work, and I want to be treated like a human. Most of all, I want to get home when I need to. Ain't too much to ask.

 

Now that all sounds pretty darn good. Thanks for the additional info. Millis should offer more info. on their site.