Northwest / choice

It's strange and synchronistic but I'm at a hotel right now in Cottage Grove and work as a driver hauling from southern Oregon to Canada and all parts in-between for a small company. I quit the big company I worked for and never regretted it.

I don't know what the "choice program" is but I can tell you that you can definitely make it as a driver out west. If you look at the labor statistic stats you'd see that the northwest---in particular, Washington---is one of the best places in the US to be employed as a driver. However, it does initially take some drive to contact employers and seek out you area of interest.

In general, I'd suggest avoiding the large companies altogether. They have sophisticated ways of screwing a new driver. I really believe that most of them have a business model that plans things that way. They hire you out of school, put you out there OTR or even local, offer you what seems a fair deal, and then one day you sit down and calculate what you're actually making hourly and you quit after about 3 to 6 months of abuse. Of course, they knew that would happen....shake your hand and just move on to the next victim. Essentially, they provide themselves with an endless supply of newbies at less than minimum wage pay.

Instead, look for the mom n pop organization if you have no experience driving. Walk in and meet them face-to-face, shake hands, hand out your excellently prepared resume that was fine-tuned to that particular company. Check out Craig's List and Indeed.com. Dress well for the interview and try to talk about anything except yourself.....LOL. I know that sounds crazy but it's a great interview technique. Look around for those pictures and trophies in the interviewers office and move the conversation in their direction. After the interview is over they won't know much about you but will be left with the feeling that you were a nice person. That's what you want !

I hope some of this has been useful and pertinent to what your topic is. I wish you luck.

 

On the bright side - all the Schneider drivers are way too busy to answer your question . . .

 

just look at the how the bonuses are paying out on Schneiderjobs, for Washington state. 5k incentive if you need a truck and 7.5k, if you already have one for the choice program. Ain't nothing like that in the Tennessee area, as far as bonuses are concerned, maybe if they found someone not smoking pot that wants to drive, just kidding, but poking at the pro pot laws up yonder, maybe you all would have lower bonus incentives.??? They do like their S. California and Arizona based residents as well.
PS
I am not a Schneider driver, but sometimes wish I was,
Ps ps
I am not smoking pot, really!!!

 

Yes it's possible! I do it! However it is easier in the east and Midwest/South!

Plenty of good paying freight going to your area but less pay/freight coming out. Once you learn the freight lanes it gets easier.