Schneider rookie trucking job offer any advice?

Schneider veteran here....

If the dedicated acct is with A-N-Y of the so-called "dollar" stores....avoid it -- like the plague.

Much better dedicated choices: Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, J C Penny.

Paper mills are a mixed bag...some can be a good choice for a rookie; others can be a nightmare.

-- L

 

@lual

 

Where is your location; state and nearest town/city.
Do you have endorsements?
May be another dozen or so companies to choose from.
Schneider is a great fit for some drivers, if money isn't a priority.

 

Unless your unloading is directly from the trailer into a dock, & involves an electric pallet jack...expect the unloading to be a LOT OF PHYSICAL WORK. Avoid ramps & dollies -- lots of falls & injuries there, especially in wet/wintry weather conditions.

Suggestion: look at the docks/back drive through areas of the furniture stores they service/deliver to; if smaller than the same for the typical Walmart supercenter -- pass up that job offer, & ask for another dedicated account (like those suggested above).

-- L

 

OK. Got it! You're in Maryland. Hard to keep up with you since you're not posting in the "Questions From New Drivers" thread.
New cdl grad jobs maryland

 

Schneider's advantages, for a new driver:

• Lots of freight types to sample...for a rookie driver; great place to help decide what freight type(s) you like/prefer best -- & without the hassles of changing carriers
• Lots of terminals/dropyards...for legal/safe parking options; terminals usually have a repair shop on site, for truck &/or trailer issues; most terminals have a cafeteria, for hot/cooked meals...at a mostly fair price; laundry facilities; free showers; access to other "training engineers" or instructors for driving questions/problems, etc
• Good benefits package
• Schneider is a "self-insured" carrier
• Each terminal has driving instructors (called "training engineers")...that are easily some of the best & most professional in the industry; thus, the terminal portion of your training will be very professional-grade stuff
• Schneider gives new drivers a trucking "bible" (the "Driver Training Workbook") that explains most trucking topics/areas of concern...for new drivers -- it's a great reference source for new(er) driver questions -- to my knowledge, it's the only one of its kind in the industry
• Lots & lots & lots of freight -- to keep you moving, & earning; a great place to be in a recessionary economy (been there, seen that).

Schneider disadvantages:

• Your time out on a trainer's truck is notably shorter than most other "starter" carriers (in my opinion -- it's too short)
• The pay is usually modest for a newer company driver -- especially depending on the freight type & the account in question -- but since driver pay is based (in part) on experience -- other "starter" carriers can be/are guilty of this one, too (example: "no-pay" May).

-- L

 

If you did not have any other offers besides Schneider, then consider yourself fortunate. Take advantage of the fact that you have your foot inside the door, so you can see what other accounts, fleets and opportunities exist or may come up before those on the "other side of the river" will see. Do things the right way and avoid shortcuts. Be on time. Treat your Driver Manager like they are your customer, and you are running a business....The business of getting miles and getting paid well to do it! Be a professional and don't hit stuff. Stay away from the complainers and negative drivers. Godspeed!

 

Flex steel requirements.
100% driver unload.
Drive all day, unload. drive more, unload, rinse repeat.