Been thinking about getting my Class A for awhile now. Need info. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Oh well then I’d say pick your poison. Teach yourself or pick a mega. Both are difficult. The megas are pretty similar.

 

Just do a year at a mega and the next two somewhere else. You won’t lose out on jobs.

 

@chrismcallister34 --

If starting out at a "mega" is your thinking...after you get those earlier-discussed credentials, you might also give my old alma mater Schneider a try, too.

I've noticed that Schneider seems to have more job fairs/hiring events than pretty much anyone else in the industry.

This could later prove to be an open door for you--where others might not be.

Speaking from experience--running with a really "big dog" like Schneider does indeed have its advantages...

1) You will quickly learn to appreciate (especially as newer driver) Schneider's many locations for terminals and droplots. This is especially true if/when they run you up in the northeast, where CDL parking options are critically short.

2) As we enter into what appears to be another recession--Schneider will very likely have the freight to keep you moving, when others might not. In the last recession, the group I was in actually started hiring--while drivers employed at other carriers were getting laid off, and/or spent time sitting idle.

3) Don't like where you started with Schneider? After 6 months of satisfactory work, you can transfer to a different division, and try a different type of freight--all without the usual hassles of changing employers. I switched from dry van, over to intermodal--which proved later to be a good move (but I certainly don't recommend you start out in intermodal--get several months of dry van experience, first). Schneider now is even doing flatbed/connestoga loads. With Schneider--you can "sample" just about every type of major freight there is (no carhauling, however).

4) This one gets overlooked a lot by the mega-bashers: if you do cause an accident, or othewise do something stupid--your odds of being fired are a lot less, at least in some cases. A "big dog" like Schneider is pretty much self-insured, and they can write a check for a new hood (or whatever) much easier than the smaller carriers. With a smaller carrier--they can get a check from their insurer--but then they will likely have to fire you. As a beginning driver--this is something to consider, especially if your driving history is less than perfect.

5) Another one you should know about: like Swift, and some of the other major players--Schneider will NOT expect you to keep driving if the weather/road conditions are getting bad. Instead--park it! They are pretty up front with this one, too. Ditto for Swift. Not sure about the other major carriers...but probably so, as well.

6) This one is basically my own opinion....others here may agree with me (or not )....if/when you do leave Schneider for another job with another carrier--I think the Schneider name carries with it more respect and/or recognition than some of the others mentioned in this thread....like Pam, CRST, CR England, or Western Express. How bad can it really be.....if I later scored a fuel-hauling gig with it?

Hope this helps...

--Lual

 

I am of the same opinion. It sucked but 12 months at schneider will get you into most places and will give you the learning experience to run legal and profitable. That is more than a lot of places offer.

 

Ya I agree..1 year at the mega and then move on...You'll be better off in pay and other driver-friendly benefits

 

@chrismcallister34 --

For now (& no disrespect intended)....forget about GP Transco.

The last I checked...and someone else said so elsewhere here on the Forum.....that they wanted AT LEAST 3 YEARS driving experience.

In the meantime--you may well find yet another opportunity/carrier that you like even better.

Instead--you need to be focused on getting in the door......and proving yourself....with Schneider, Swift, or....etc.

Stay with your first carrier AT LEAST a year. Longer is even better. If the carrier has more than one type of freight--sample/try something else while you're there.

Later on....you'll be glad you did....

--Lual