How long should i drive for my first company?

I’d say stay for a year. I did. Was an absolute fight to protect my license. In one, 2 week period. I replaced 7 tires on trailers. Just an example. I stayed a year to show I’m stable only.
Went through 6 jobs in 3 years. Lots of goof balls making decisions out there.
I’m now with a company I’m happy with. It’s not perfect. We got our problems. There’s nothing intolerable here.

 

I started with Schneider also! Left at 4 months when they said I had to do a sleep apnea test! Went to Gardner trucking for 11 months more money, local home daily! July 8 I landed a job doing short haul , $30 an hour over time after 8 hours! March 17 I will be at the 2 year mark ! Only jump if you have something better!

 

Hello all, Ive only been married for three months and a question keeps popping up. How much experience should I get before I start looking for a new wife? She's a decent wife for me but I don't see myself staying long term with her. My marriage counselor said that even if you don't particularly care for your wife, you should stay with her for at least a year. Is that good advice or should I start looking for someone sooner?.

 

I think that would depend on the used wives market!

 

3 months in is way too soon to start thinking about the next job. Start job hopping and you’ll be rewarded by bottom jobs.

 

I'm a Schneider veteran. I started my CDL driving career there, too.

Based on my time there...here's my recommendation to you:

Stay there at Schneider for AT LEAST ONE YEAR. Longer is better still.

Stay in OTR/dry van for at least 6 months, then switch over to INTERMODAL (& not tanker/bulk).

Intermodal is great experience, and will further diversify the types of loads you've pulled.

This varied experience will make you more appealing to future prospective employers.

Intermodal is the "darling" division at Schneider; drivers in intermodal are generally treated/paid better.

That's because intermodal is apparently Schneider's most profitable division.

Yes, Schneider tanker might indeed be a good option on paper (the tanker training is indeed very good), but stay away from the tanker group unless you're sure you can get on a dedicated account after training (this will produce a much more steady paycheck for you). Avoid the OTR tanker positions there.

Stay in intermodal there for at least 6 months.

Then leave only when you know you have something better.

The LTL suggestions given earlier are very good (assuming LTL is a good match for you--note that it's not for everybody); most LTL positions require at least one year of CDL experience (& you might as well get it all at Schneider).

As the saying goes, "before you invest--investigate".

Me? Now I do tanker/hazmat duty, hauling fuel (but not for Schneider). Home daily.

--Lual

 

I think you should do your best to stay a year. It tells future employers that you aren't going to jump every 3 months.
That being said. If you aren't under contract, someone will always take you. But you will have a lot more choices after 1 year on the job.

 

Stay a year; there's no rush to double your income so soon in this new career.
Future employers will hesitate and wonder why you stayed in a low paying job for so long, when you didn't have to.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry i haven't been able to respond, the past few days have been busy.

 

I'm regular van OTR with Schneider, however I've been helping out with dedicated accounts because of driver shortages. My only gripe with intermodal is the loss of hometime that comes with it. I love being able to run 3.5-4 weeks and earning 5 days at home. It gives me flexibility to visit family out of state comfortably (I'm single and live alone) without feeling rushed to get back to work. That and there's no intermodal positions for my zip code even if i wanted to do that. I do have dedicated tanker options for my city according to their job postings though.