THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE - DFO gets a truck and hops on Schneider's IC Choice Program

Ok folks, I am not trying to wreck DFO's thread, because it definitely is a great read, but I have a few questions if any of you seasoned guys could help me out.

Just a little bit of back ground about me personally, I am currently a police detective, have been employed by the same agency since 2008. Prior to that I attended truck driving school after leaving a Sheriff' Office when a new Sheriff was elected. I then went to work for Western Express, driving out of their Emporia, VA terminal. That lasted an entire two weeks, in my option I saw the writing on the wall, not to mention the psychotic trainer I was paired with. I was then hired by a regional municipal waste hauler and I drove for them working a region hear around VA covering three states. I drove for them for approximately 6 months before taking a job with the agency I am currently with.
i recently attended a refresher course at the same driving school I attended back in 2007 this past January. My goal is to work as an OTR company driver and then transition into a L/P, O/O position. I am geographically located approximately 60 miles NE of Richmond, VA and 60 miles SE of Fredericksburg, VA on the coast of VA just off the Chesapeake Bay.

Question 1) Would it benefit me better to attempt to go with SNI on their OTR for 6 to 12 months and then transfer to their Choice program or go OTR with another company, say a Van Wyk and move over to the Choice program after a years worth on continual experience? A side note, I have been approved for Van Wyk but I would have to commute to their Waynesboro, VA yard each week. A week out and then a 48 to 34 re-start at home.

Question 2) What are the loads like into and out of the Richmond/Northern, VA area. I understand that my resident location places me a bit in the red for sustainable consistent freight that would keep me close to home but what is the freight like to get me home and back out again without huge DH?

And last but not least, would y'all experienced with SNI recommend that someone in my position seek financing through SFI, (Minus Knight Rider) or seek out a lease option from Paccar or Lone Mountain or a traditional finance?

in advance, thank you for the input and guidance as well as the informative thread.

 

If you eventually want to get onto the Choice program then it's in your best interest to start as a SNI company driver. You'll learn the Schneider Way - how our freight lanes run, regulatory, payroll, and other company specific quirks. It will make the IC transition easier as you will have less minutiae to learn and can focus on running your business.

As to where to get financing it all depends on where YOU can get the best deal for the truck YOU want. You'll need to shop around for truck prices, interest rates, closing costs, min/max down payments, insurance, maintenance requirments, etc, etc, etc. You may find a great deal on a truck thru SFI that negates the higher interest or PACCAR may be able to get you into a similar truck for less total outlay over the course of the loan, but only if you put down x%. It's going to be situationaly dependant.

 

Question 1) Would it benefit me better to attempt to go with SNI on their OTR for 6 to 12 months and then transfer to their Choice program or go OTR with another company, say a Van Wyk and move over to the Choice program after a years worth on continual experience? A side note, I have been approved for Van Wyk but I would have to commute to their Waynesboro, VA yard each week. A week out and then a 48 to 34 re-start at home.

Better to go with SNI......you'll learn the system they use on their dime.

Question 2) What are the loads like into and out of the Richmond/Northern, VA area. I understand that my resident location places me a bit in the red for sustainable consistent freight that would keep me close to home but what is the freight like to get me home and back out again without huge DH?

Plenty of freight in and out just about anywhere. Wouldn't want to do regional from there, but that's just personal choice.

And last but not least, would y'all experienced with SNI recommend that someone in my position seek financing through SFI, (Minus Knight Rider) or seek out a lease option from Paccar or Lone Mountain or a traditional finance?

I suggest you go to find financing on your own.....that way, when you find out how impossible it is, you'll appreciate SNI that much more (seriously).

Good luck

 

I spoke with a recruiter last week after applying for their Walmart account out of Gordonsville,Va, seems when they say 90 miles from the DC, they mean......... 90 miles and not 127. She also informed me, that to be eligible for their OTR position I would need 6 months of recent driving experience. Do they no longer offer training?

 

Reading your post sounds like you have no real expiernce. Schneider might hire u as a student and go out with a trainer since you've been gone so long.

 

I find this amusing. I'm an IC with Schneider and have been since 2005. I'd like to know how it's being done by myself and many others if is impossible. Cute.

As for the financing part I would recommend staying away from the lease purchase deal. It is designed to make SNI money, not the driver. These guys are getting into as much as $1100/wk in deductions. Lonemtn is a good way to go, I bought my second truck from them. Nice to deal with, the payments are reasonable and they will make sure you are satisfied before you leave. The best option, in my opinion, is getting financing on your own if possible. I did at my local credit union last year and am now in a 2007 Volvo 780, my payment is $890/mo.

 

The account manager can make an exception to the mileage with it being that close. Ask the recruiter to contact the hiring manager.

 

I am considering going choice at this time and would probably do the 1 year lease at first just to get a feel for the program before committing to financing. I wouldn't do more than the one year lease. Plus, the reason why people don't secure financing elsewhere is because they probably are unable to because of credit. Personally I might have an issue with it because I don't really participate in the credit market outside of credit cards (which are all paid off) so hopefully a nice downpayment would secure a decent apr.

 

$890.00 month, ok .. how many years? mine telling how much the truck was?

Personally I see nothing wrong with SFI lease .. of course their making money! don't understand why they shouldn't be? Isn't the Credit Union making money off financing your loan for the truck? Of course they are.

SFI might make a little less/more not sure but it is a great way to go if your credit score is low and you don't have the cash for down payment..