Questions about Schneider's training and pay

Chinatown · Aug 2, 2023

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Chinatown · Aug 2, 2023

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Chinatown · Aug 2, 2023

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LadyNytmre · Aug 2, 2023

lual said: ↑

Schneider veteran here....

I ran with them for about 2 years...back during covid, and just before that.

My latest gig: hauling fuel (gasoline, and diesel) -- but NOT with Schneider. Home daily.

Most recruiters are basically clueless -- a pay explanation from them wouldn't mean much, anyway.

The pay structure there has changed, since I left. Now, many positions have gone to at least partially an hourly situation. This is probably for the better, because -- he's paid so much per mile while the rig is moving, and then he's paid by the hour while the rig is standing still -- the idea being no matter what you're doing, you get paid. It's more fair than just a cents-per-mile plan, that I had when I was there.

The "shipment" of $100 I'm simply not sure about. That's a new one on me.... Time to talk to someone in the payroll dept.

The Charlotte yard/terminal was a good facility when I was there; can't say for sure now.

But I would recommend being based out of there, vs Atlanta.

Your son being turned down by everyone but good ol' "Big Orange" should tip you off as to just how bad the general freight market is currently. It's pretty raunchy out there right now -- and I don't think it will improve much, if any...in the near term.

Thus -- I don't think you and your Family are in much of a position right now to "shop" for a better gig. Instead -- take what you can get.

Despite all the less-than-flattering feedback you may be getting about Schneider....let me give you some reasons why it's otherwise a good idea for your son to stay there, and put in his time as a new(er) driver:

The Schneider name carries with it some pretty good cache; other carriers will later recognize and respect it, when he moves on with real experience to a better-paying gig.

As mentioned above, the overall freight market pretty much stinks right now; Schneider is one of the few "big dogs" out there with enough freight and customers to keep your son moving.

Schneider is so big, with such deep pockets, that he won't face a layoff (like what is currently happening with Yellow Freight, and other smaller carriers). Also -- because of its immmense size, Schneider is self-insured. Thus -- if your son has a bad day behind the wheel, and damages/trashes some equipment -- his odds of being reprimanded and then later fired are A LOT LESS, than with a smaller carrier. This is a BIG DEAL that many new drivers overlook, when looking for a carrier to start their career. It's also one of the main reasons why I started there. As Eisenhower said, "hope for the best -- BUT PLAN FOR THE WORST".

Schneider has multiple divisions, so your son can try out different types of freight (and build up a nice trucking resume) -- all without the mega-hassles of changing over to another carrier. Since I left -- Schneider has also started doing even flatbed and conestoga work. While I was there, I got tired of the way dispatch was treating me in dry van, over-the-road...so when I qualified, I switched to their intermodal group. That was great experience -- and this move enabled me to significantly extend my tenure with Schneider -- rather than quitting and becoming a "job hopper" (which companies -- especially now -- don't like). There's lots and lots of opportunities there -- so if he's unhappy with his pay, there are alternatives to look at elsewhere within the company -- before jumping ship.

Schneider, since it's a "big dog"....has lots and lots of terminals and dropyards. As a beginning driver -- when looking for a place to park at the end of one's shift in or near urban areas -- these terminals and dropyards saved my bacon numerous times . With smaller fleets -- you just don't have this for an option when parking. Note that finding a safe & legal place to park is easily one of the biggest headaches/nightmares a driver daily faces when doing regional or over-the-road work.

Suggestion: given what the overall freight market is like right now, and is forecast to remain -- put in two years at Schneider (at least), and maintain a strong safety record (no accidents, no incidents, & no citations). When he comes out of that -- he'll have the CDL world pretty much by the tail. Bonus points -- if he samples different freight types while he's there.

Unless you're told otherwise -- I would plan for your own tranportation (but save all those receipts -- Schneider may reimburse, later) to Charlotte.

What else to bring? Foam earplugs -- if his over-the-road trainer snores, or he's not used to sleeping with other background sounds. The Schneider website provides a list of what to bring to an orientation. The main things to bring -- he either already has (or doesn't):

Punctuality -- can he be on time (or even a bit early) to each orientation session?

Sobriety -- no alcoholic beverages while driving, or during orientation or training.

Strong work ethic -- starting out as a CDL professional is no place for kids; if he's not a man now -- he likely soon will be (if he can stick with it).

Patience -- some of the situations he will face as a beginning driver will require an ability to "bite one's tongue"...count to 50 (or 100)....take a few deep breaths, and repeat "and this too, shall pass"...while (for example) waiting for traffic to clear (in both directions)....enough for a big rig to turn and merge.

An open mind -- he needs to be a "sponge"....and learn all he can during training/orientation. This is especially true when he's around any of Schneider's so-called "training engineers". Those people are some of the most knowledgeable and professional that he will meet in the business!

The bottom line: yes, there are better paying CDL gigs out there. Yes, Schneider is not perfect (far from it) -- but those other "starter" carriers aren't, either. The simple truth is -- your son could also do worse -- A LOT WORSE.

If I started out there.....and later wound up hauling fuel -- how bad could it really be?

SPECIAL NOTE: NO, I AM NOT A RECRUITER FOR SCHNEIDER (OR ANYONE ELSE, FOR THAT MATTER). The above is just a "gut" honest, hindsight assessment. Really.

Hope some of this helps....

-- L
Click to expand...

Extremely helpful, thank you. Lots to consider. He's going to look at the other companies suggested but he's keeping the orientation with Schneider until he hears back and decides then. It was bad timing to graduate right at the time that Yellow went down. We figured he might have a bit of a harder time with the economy but now with all those Yellow drivers looking for work it might be even harder. None of us realized how much he could soak up with different divisions/types of freight. That's certainly something to think about.

LadyNytmre · Aug 2, 2023

Opus said: ↑

He can and should do it now on his own. They are just written tests, no driving. This site is an excellent resource for practice tests. Keep doing them until you can get 100 every time and the test at the DMV will be a cake walk.
Good luck
Click to expand...

Will definitely recommend this to him! Thank you.

lual · Aug 2, 2023

LadyNytmre said: ↑

Extremely helpful, thank you. Lots to consider. He's going to look at the other companies suggested but he's keeping the orientation with Schneider until he hears back and decides then. It was bad timing to graduate right at the time that Yellow went down. We figured he might have a bit of a harder time with the economy but now with all those Yellow drivers looking for work it might be even harder. None of us realized how much he could soak up with different divisions/types of freight. That's certainly something to think about.
Click to expand...

With all due respect -- no, it's not (with regard to the Yellow driver exit).

Those drivers from Yellow....for the most part....will be looking for other types of jobs than what Schneider typically offers.

They will want LTL type work, and home-daily gigs...if they can get it (or as close to that as possible).

Schneider....meanwhile....is much more of a "starter"-type carrier.....with mostly OTR and regional work.

-- L

LadyNytmre · Aug 2, 2023

lual said: ↑

With all due respect -- no, it's not (with regard to the Yellow driver exit).

Those drivers from Yellow....for the most part....will be looking for other types of jobs than what Schneider typically offers.

They will want LTL type work, and home-daily gigs...if they can get it (or as close to that as possible).

Schneider....meanwhile....is much more of a "starter"-type carrier.....with mostly OTR and regional work.

-- L
Click to expand...

Ah, good point. Definitely didn't think he'd be competing directly with seasoned drivers for gigs at Schneider but just a general jostling around of drivers. Husband has heard quite a few on the radio saying their LTL companies have a hiring freeze right now. We wondered if that would create a squeeze on the jobs available.

Chinatown · Aug 2, 2023

Always plenty of good jobs with refrigerated trucking companies. Food and medicine have to keep moving no matter how bad a recession gets.

lual · Aug 2, 2023

LadyNytmre said: ↑

Extremely helpful, thank you. Lots to consider. He's going to look at the other companies suggested but he's keeping the orientation with Schneider until he hears back and decides then. It was bad timing to graduate right at the time that Yellow went down. We figured he might have a bit of a harder time with the economy but now with all those Yellow drivers looking for work it might be even harder. None of us realized how much he could soak up with different divisions/types of freight. That's certainly something to think about.
Click to expand...

There's nothing really wrong with any of the other carrier recommendations made above.

But....will any of them actually hire him, given the current market? Right now -- a bird in the hand is worth 4 to 5 hundred (or more) in the bush.

Getting hired by those others (if any were to take him on) also costs time. Of course -- only you can decide if you can really afford that.

I would submit....with all due respect....that the above list of Schneider advantages.....for a brand new CDL driver....and with the current freight market ......will indeed be tough to beat elsewhere.

-- L

Chinatown · Aug 2, 2023

Stevens Transport | Temperature-Controlled Logistics …
Stevens Transport is a Dallas, TX based national truckload carrier providing temperature-controlled logistics services across the US & cross-border.

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