JB Hunt or Schneider?

What city are you closest to? Why do you want to drive OTR?

 

That statement was true just a few years ago, not today. Your experience driving in town and humping freight are strong selling points for a P&D position in LTL. Here are some better choices:

YRC's Early Driver Training Program - Two weeks of training at $17/hr then Teamster scale and 100% PAID medical for you and your family. 28 miles down the road in Cheshire, CT.

Recruitment Line: 1-877-249-2271

XPO Logistics Truck Driver Home Daily CDL A - Just 19 miles down the road in Meriden. Top of pay scale in just 3 years.

FedEx Freight Driver Apprentice - Road Just 15 miles up the road in Windsor Locks. Pay starts at $21.80/hr.

 

My issues with Schneider were never with the money. I made over 80 grand a year as a 2 year CDL newbie running local rail containers.

My issues were with slip seating, short wheelbase day cabs combined with spring ride chassis, and a certain terminal manager who shall remain nameless. We had words more than once.

My issues were also with wipers that didn't work with cruise control and that Bendix system that panic brakes and sends a message to dispatch every time it sees tumbleweed.

If none of that would apply to you, I highly recommend the company, especially starting out.

 

I was an IC with XPO hauling rail out of the same yard as I hauled Schneider. I also ran into a former XPO LTL when I was getting drive tires on my truck. We had similar gripes about the company.

Basically it boils down to XPO buys. They don't build. They've never started a trucking company from scratch, they've just bought failing ones. Then they think they can do better but don't, at least from the driver's perspective.

Their bottom line is probably excellent.

 

Yeah man I wouldn't go for that on call stuff either. If you're going to be random you might as well be an independent and get all of the dollars.

 

I recommend finding a company to train you for OTR. Put in at least one year with them. Your first year will be tough. Your backing will suck...so will trip planning, navigation and clock management. Those are LEARNED SKILLS. If you last one year..... most don't.... you will have a good foundation. Good luck!