In 3rd week of CDL school, seeking advice (repost from General)

First off, greetings to all of you!!

I have just retired from the military after 27 years and am now begining my new career as a OTR team driver. Team mate is also military (still in the National Guard). Both of us are in our 3rd week of training with the Commercial Drivers School in Lakewood, Washington. We have both completed all the DOL testing for Endorsements, and in the driving, backing, pre-inspection, In-cab phase of training. End of the history part.

As newbies we are looking at Werner or Schneider to apply with. Both companies offer what I think are the best benifits. I would like to know what the experianced drivers have to say regarding these two companies.

Both of us are looking to drive Coast to Coast, North to South, taking this all in as being "Paid" tourists. We are approaching this with the attitude of.. "If there is a load, we will take it, regardless of distance." We are coming into this with a great attitude, and.. yes I use the Military saying "CAN DO" attitude. Thus, any general advice for two "newbies" would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, a hearty THANK YOU!! to all those that do this job, it is you that keeps America moving

Respectfully

Tank

 

First off, thanks for your 27 years of service my friend! Of the 2 you mentioned, I'd say Schneider over Werner by about 300%. (And you're going into it with the right attitude about taking any and all loads). Seeing as you're based in Washington state, you may also want to check out Interstate,Gordon,and Watkins Shepard. Not too sure about Interstate, but the others take recent grads and do a load of business in your area,which makes hometime that much easier when your ready. (And both WILL run you coast to caost, as would your original 2 choices). Good luck in whomever you choose,and once again, thanks for your service to our country!

 

Thanks for your reply Guitar Man!

I looked into Interstate and Gordon here is what I found out:

Interstate: Does not hire if you have less than a year. Insurance thing (but will return to them after we get a year under our belt)

Gordon: Terrible start out pay. $9.04 an hour (minimum wage for 1-2 months) during Orientation, and OTR training time, they also have a 6-8 week waiting (unpaid) period before I could even get on with a trainer.

I have not looked into Watkins-Shepherd, but I will!! thanks for that!!

The only difference I have seen between Werner and Schneider was the location of the nearest Satellite, Schneider is in Portland, where as Werner is in Sumner.. 15 miles from my house. After reading many of the posts, I realize that it is not so much the Company that you work for, but the attitude that you approach that company with. Both companies offer a nice benifits package, and both will start pay around .35 to .38 cents a mile with added bonus "cents" for Hazmat endoresements and safe driving etc.. I appreciate and will consider your suggestions.

Safe travels

Tank

 

If you into teams, companies I would recommend you to check US Xpress and another company that do alot of team driving is CRST. For Werner I use to drive for them, and drove for them for 2 years. Not all drivers at Werner may feel the same or going thru the same experience but at the first and middle experience with Werner it was ok but not excellent. I left them because I was not getting alot of miles and to much sitting and waiting and so I was making little money after. And their equipmets was not on top performance. Right now im driving for a small company and doing ok. Schneider sounds like a great company and should be on your top list because they are a great company. You can search more about them and read about them in the Schneider section. I dont know if they do teams good there. And also for CRST they dont sound to good because I hear negative things about them, but if you are into teams you should check them to. GoodLuck to you Tankineer, and also search for more companies to.

 

Class of 79 USAFA here. 30 years.

If I was just starting out, I would seek out a Fed Ex contractor. You will pull doubles. The key to Fed ex is that the routes are sold. You find a route you like and then you purchase it. When you are done, you sell it. Contact you local Fed Ex people and find out who to talk to.

I assume you were Army so I have used small words. Good luck.

 

I found that KLLM had the quickest tuition reimbursement program. Something like up to $4k paid out in just one year.

Not sure if schneider gives their sign on bonus to new drivers. If not, do 13 months at KLLM then switch for the schniedner bonus...

Mikeeee

 

just a fyi: Werner will require you to do 275 hours with a trainer. After both of you guys each finish your training then you'll be able to team up together; one of you will have to be the primary driver. Teams do get many more miles than solos (1 team vs 2 solos), the co likes to keep the trucks moving. Werner has a lot of 'just in time' loads(Amazon going to UPS,etc); meaning they push you hard to get them there on time. Maybe consider a year with one of the student hiring co's and shop yourselves around; or maybe consider O/O. It's rough out there; a real meat grinder at times.

 

If you're both retired and that close, get your 6 months to a year of experience and spend the time studying everything you can about trucking and buy your own truck, get your own authority and you can truly manage your path to paid tourism.