So.. What's the point of being a company driver if...

I actually have asked China about it. Me and him disagree on necessity of driver facing cameras unfortunately. I'm also not at all limited to van. I could care less what I pull.

Either way this thread is so far off track it's not even resembling the original intent of it! I don't want to quit driving for Schneider. I like it here. I do want my #### dog, but a bunch of posts up I did say my original plan was to wait until next spring to think about lease, precisely for the reason of I'd rather beat up company equipment in the winter and I want to have that experience. So... I'd have been driving for 10-11 months before jumping over, it isn't that big of a deal.
What is frustrating is that I'm taking two weeks at the end of January to go on vacation. Currently Schneider will require me to return the truck to Charlotte, empty it out then figure out how to get up to CT (where my hometime will be) and then get back to Charlotte after. I was considering just taking a month and then going over to choice after that vacation. Now I can't, have to go back to company side and deal with all that extra. Not a big deal, just annoying.

Lol. Original point of thread was that it seemed like a recruitment strategy to get more company drivers. New drivers that wanted to do a L/P to accept drivers with 6 months experience at sni and 1 year from other places. Now there's no difference where the experience comes from. And it's very funny to ask a recruiter that question: "so, why should I continue driving as a company driver at Schneider to get the year of experience"

 

Please. Let's don't. Not yet anyway. All I know for now is that winter is coming. And that I know nothing.

 

- very true. Keep in mind though that at the time waiting period was 6 months. And I had no idea if I really wanted her with me in the truck since I had no idea what life in the truck was like. But I figured that at worst it'll be 6 months if I really want her with me and don't care about risk. Or 10-11 months. I could have gone to a different company to start with if I was certain it would be a year, quite a few would have taken me straight out of school that aren't as interested if I don't want to do 7+ weeks with a trainer now. Jim Palmer and Navajo Express for example.

- I realize that. Let's just say my prior experiences in life; no debt/good credit; almost nonexistent expenses and stellar work ethic should be a significant leg up already. Add to that extreme proficiency with technology and I'm sure I can dispatch one driver better than my current dispatcher is doing. I'm not terribly worried about my ability to succeed.

- Hehe true. It was a silly thing to ask. But it was very funny. I'm evil that way

- 3-4 months with Schneider and 8-9 months with a different company will still be a year. They only care that it's a year total with no major job hopping. One switch isn't a big deal according to them. It's 3+ that will be concerning.

- I agree and I really appreciate the advice. That is the reason I originally planned 10-11 months and at least one winter. I know a lot and I'm certainly not stupid. But I also know my limitations. And this world is very much a new and whelming experience. I'm learning a whole lot every day. Not necessarily driving related, that part a trained monkey can accomplish. But traffic patterns, freight lanes, stop locations and shippers/receivers to avoid or desire.. Are just a few examples. I'm also keeping an eye out on these forums for people mentioning good shops for PM's/repairs. And a myriad of other things. And then there's the question of lease vs purchase. I could rather easily buy my own truck and figure it out from there. But it's a bit of a worry that I'm nowhere near the knowledge level required. Seems safer to lease a truck for a period of time. But perhaps I'll change my mind there too. There are reasons I don't want to start a thread about me going over to L/P yet. I just don't know enough.