New CDL holder looking for the next step

Can't speak to the bulk division as I was an IC on the van side, but just since I left July 1st, Schneider has continued the trend of “cost cutting” by providing drivers less and less. Incrementally, they’ve done away with some niceties the drivers enjoyed for years. Their driver communications systems, so-called improvements, have been a joke. It is decidedly NOT the company of Al Schneider or even Don Schneider.
Yes, I did ok there. But my timing in getting out was right.

 

Where else can a new cdl grad go to get a tanker career started? Looks like Simsboro is just off Interstate-20.

 

I'd recommend Welfare Express over Suckneider any day. And that's saying a lot lol....

 

howardtransportation.com/info/careers/index.cfm

• 107 Nehi Rd, Ellisville, MS 39437
• P.O. Box 586, Laurel, MS 39441-0586

`
howardtransportation.com/Info/approvedschools.cfm
~

 

I'll give you a suggestion based on many years, Overall theres more money in flatbed, but you will work a little harder. some of my most enjoyable trips have been made with a skateboard in tow.,Tankers (liquid) have a surge thats never ends, kind of sucks, easy unlload and load, money in tanker is chemical. Refers are alot of hurry up and wait, lots of parking lot time is not unusual. By far dry vans is easiest, lots of preloads and drop n hooks, as a old driver I kind of appreciate.
I would go with Maverick, TMC, or Melton depending on who offers what. Don't let people scare you off, there plenty os assistance available on load securement.

 

Soooooo many choices -- so little time!

Schneider veteran here....

I drove with them for almost 2 years....before moving on.

Congratulations -- on picking up a CDL!

A CDL of course opens the door to many different employment opportunities.


When other drivers say, "Schneider sucks"...or "Schneider blows"....or similar....well, I get that. I can definitely see where you are coming from. Otherwise -- I would still be there.

The neat thing about the mega-fleets...like Schneider & Swift (& Knight)....is that a driver who is brand new to the industry....can sample different types of freight there....without changing employers.

This availability of different freight types....allows one the flexibility of being a job hopper -- without really being a true job hopper.

The problem with tanker duty -- very few fleets will take a total rookie just out of CDL school, hire him or her -- & train them on tanker.

With that said -- the following tanker fleets have a history/track record of hiring total CDL rookies:

• Schneider National
• Western Dairy Transport
• Midwest Dairy Transport

Midwest is apparently being bought out by Western Dairy Transport.

Given your location in northern Louisiana -- I'm not sure if WDT would offer you an opportunity, or not. You might submit an application...& see what happens. No hazmat needed there -- it's all food-grade, smooth-bore tanker duty. GREAT TANKER TRAINING -- IF you can get it.

I see job ads for Schneider tanker all the time. This would suggest to me that their tanker division is at least somewhat of a revolving door. That's a bit of a "red flag".

Yes, indeed -- flatbed or tanker is far more interesting work -- but dry van offers the shortest, flattest learning curve...for becoming a truck driver. With dry van, as a rookie, you can truly focus much more on just learning to drive...& focus far less on futzing around with the trailer &/or load securement. This reduces your chances (as a rookie) of making a potentially expensive mistake.

With all of that said -- here's a video on a 2-year review of TMC. The video's maker has a series of videos on different topics with TMC that are actually pretty educational & well done -- & these should give you a much better idea of whether starting out in flatbed is really right for you:



Best of luck!

-- L