Questions about Schneider's training

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.

 

Hey Smoooth, So I'm heading to Fontana for orientation on Oct 6th. I already have my CDL in hand. The recruiter said I'll go thru somekind of tests written and driven in that three days and then they determine if I'm ready to head out with a trainer. I'll be a Western Regional driver.
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.

 

Okay that is all very good to know! Yeah I don't mind if they hold me for the full 14, no such thing as too much training. My school made us learn the pre-trip like you described so I should be okay on that. I'm not experienced with the 53 foot trailers though so that'll be my challenge.

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.

 

"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

 

I assume a 'pump down' check is the same thing as a low air warning test or cut-in pressure test?