I am an inexpereinced driver (i.e. no experience at all) and am looking into Schneider's training program. (My closest location would be Carlisle, PA). I have some questions that maybe some of you who have gone through their training and are still with Schneider can answer.
(1) If you succeed the 14-day intensive training program and the 1-3 weeks on the road with a trainer, are you guaranteed a job? If so, do you start driving immediately afterward?
(2) Do you think it is worthwhile to go to one of their open houses to speak with someone beforehand? If so, what should I wear? (I would normally dress professionally - including tie and jacket - when going to a career fair, but would I be taken seriously as a future/potential trucker dressed like that?)
(3) What is a reasonable salary to expect the first year?
(4) I understand that their training is free (or close to free) as long as you stay with Schneider for at least 18 months. How do they control that? Do you have to pay up front, and then they reimburse you after 18 months? Do they bill you if you voluntarily leave (or get fired) before 18 months?
(5) I've read 1 or 2 posts here from people who were close to their 18 months and got fired. Would Schneider fire you for some minor violation (or even no violation at all) just to make a quick buck?
(6) What are the sleeping arrangements when you're on the road for the 1-3 week period with the trained driver?
(7) Once you're by yourself driving the truck, how far do you have to drive from home to get to work each time? Am I going to have to put a lot of miles on my own car just to get to work each week? (If it makes any difference, I live in the Albany, NY area.)
(8 ) Once you've done your last delivery for each period when you're out on the road, do you get paid mileage for driving the truck back to its drop-off location?
Thanks in advance for your help. I know I have more questions, but I can't think of them now. I'm sure I'll be posting more later.
Questions about Schneider's training
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by zinger3000, Sep 19, 2007.
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I can answer a few of those questions.
(1) After your school and trainer if you already have a cdl you will take an easy short drive test and if you pass that you will start your job maybe even that day.
(3) Depends if you are going OTR or dedicated. I was told I would only get 2000 miles a week on my dedicated but right now I'm getting 3500 and still home every weekend.
(4) The 14 day school is $4500 and after financing its about $5500. Once you start getting paid they will deduct about $16 a week from your paycheck. Schneider will pay about $60 toward what you owe every week. If you stay the full 18 months they will have paid most of it. If you leave prior you have to paid the remaining balance.
(5) They won't fire you just before 18 months just to get some money. By then most of the balance is paid off anyway. If you get fired or quit after 16 months you will only owe like $600. They can make more money off you from using you.
(6) I was with a trainer on a dedicated acct. I slept in a hotel room every night. If you get an OTR trainer my guess is you sleep in the top bunk.
(7) I'm allowed to park my truck at home during the weekend and anytime I'm at home during the week. So I have zero commute. It could depend on where you live though.
(8 ) You'll be paid all miles that you are hauling a trailer basically. If you have to drop a trailer at pt A and pick another up at pt B you'll also be paid from A to B. You wont be paid to drive the truck somewhere to park it though. -
Do you know what tests I'll have to do to get out with my trainer? The recruiter said basically if they feel you need more practice you stay for the whole 14 days then go with the trainer. I'm just looking for a heads up of what to expect so I can avoid the 14 days and get out in 3.
Any advice is welcomed! Thanks in advance. -
You will do a pretrip, some 90 degree backing, and a road test.
Go over your pretrip. They want you to do it the Schneider way not the cdl way. It is more thorough with Schneider. You basically have to name every piece of the truck and trailer and say what could be wrong with it. And don't forget to do a proper pump down.
The backing is easy, you get 5 pull-ups.
On the road test make sure you stop so you can see the whole crosswalk or leave plenty of room in between the car in front of you. Don't hit any curbs and make sure you are in the correct turn lanes.
Go there expecting to take the full 14 day class. They only pass about 1 out of 50 of "experienced" driver's. None of the 5 cdl holders in my group passed. One person passed the next week. So don't feel bad if you don't pass. Good thing is since you have your cdl already you don't have to pay for the class and you will be paid for it. -
So they must keep testing you to see if you are ready? Sounds like if one guy passed a week later it might be possible to not stay the full 14.??
Thanks again! -
What is a pump down?
Hmmmm, where can I find info on the parts of the truck I need to name? I dont know the names of all the gizmos and do dads yet.
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"pump-down" is a part of a brake check. If you go to any state DOT website, most have their CDL study guides online. WA state seems to have the best on line guide. Most states just copy each other as far as that manual goes....But WA state seems to take it to another level. These manuals will have a very basic part identifier section and will go through a brake check (Pump Down) and other Pre-trip items that the inspector will expect you to know. From what I have heard, the Big Orange really does focus on safety and makes sure all their employee's perform a complete thorough inspection, for their safety as well as everyone around them. The more I read and hear about this company, they sound like a really good responsible employer. Jon
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