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TruckingDog
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject: My plans with Schneider National |
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I'm planning to drive for SNI in the next few weeks and here's why;
1) In-house training is quoted as being top notch---
If your going to do it, do it right and get it straight from the horses mouth.
2) Training is quick---
I cannot go more than a month without getting some dollars into the bank account, thus the outside school is out.
3) Pay Certainty Program---
First 6 months are guarenteed $500/ week. If I get stuck on I-5 going up the hill into Oregon during winter, I'm covered.
4) CDL training is free---
I don't need another bill.
5) Training is not half a country away---
A lousy excuse but 24 hours on a stinky Greyhound is not appealing.
Why I'm not going with the others?
Swift---
Very bad rap on the message boards.
Central Refer---
Their CDL program is paid back through payroll deduction. I'm not taking on another lifestyle to get another bill.
Prime---
Their CDL program has you with a trainer forever, something like 8 months. Too long for me having someone look over my shoulder.
CR England---
Almost as bad reputation as Swift. CDL school is paid through payroll deduction.
CRST---
All-team company. I have no teaming partner. I wouldn't sleep well in a moving truck. I don't play well with others so driving with someone 22 hours a day would be suicide for both of us.
MST---
Atleast 4 weeks until paychecks start to flow. Way too long.
Stevens---
This was my second choice but couldn't get any answers regarding their CDL school, timeline, locations, etc.
So if anyone can offer any other piece of information on Schneider or these other companies I'd greatly appreciate it. |
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Sealord
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 1732
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject: Schneider |
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| Have you posted this at pumpkindriver.com? BOL |
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Ian Williams
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 705
Location: Northern NV
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| Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| How is the training at Pumpkin Free? It it the "free" if you stay around for a year variety? |
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youmothertrucker
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:06 am Post subject: |
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I'm going the same route you are with Schneider, I applied yesterday. The guarantee of $500 is nice especially starting out. I do want to earn more than that, i made that when i was 17 years old :lol:
The last 6 months of your tuition term is the catch though, hopefully you'll still make around $500 a week or more.
I'm not to happy about the automatics I'll be training on in harrisburg though. Someone said I'll have a chance later on to train on a manual. IF thats the case I'll work sith SNI. Why would someone go through school and not train on a manual shift when %90 of the industry uses manuals? That would limit my job prospects in the future not knowing how to drive a manual.
Think it over, if you quit you have to pay back the tuition and you won't know how to drive a manual for your next job. |
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Ian Williams
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 705
Location: Northern NV
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:22 am Post subject: |
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I'd be leery of learning on an automatic. Many states put an Auto only restriction on your CDL if you test in one.
$500 a week for being away from home and putting up with OTR is a joke. Even as a newbie you can do better than that. At most train and stick around for 3 months until some of the somewhat better outfits will look at you. |
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youmothertrucker
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:50 am Post subject: |
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Ian Williams wrote: I'd be leery of learning on an automatic. Many states put an Auto only restriction on your CDL if you test in one.
$500 a week for being away from home and putting up with OTR is a joke. Even as a newbie you can do better than that. At most train and stick around for 3 months until some of the somewhat better outfits will look at you.
I live in PA they don't put a restricition on your CDL for only autos. I want to be away from home my family is messed up can only be around them very rarely and stay sane. I'm 28 single, no kids, about $5k in debt. Any money other than food and necessities would be saved. I would have no apartment or house to pay for and only need money for 3 days at a motel when I'm off a month. |
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dollarshort
Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 528
Location: South Central PA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:42 am Post subject: Why? |
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| Why don't you go work on a cruise ship if you don't want to be home. Work 9 months and take off 3 months. All food and accomodations are included. Why work for slave wages and sleep in a truck for barely minimum wages? Think seriously about what you are getting yourself into. |
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fkbmlb
Joined: 01 Apr 2006
Posts: 148
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:37 am Post subject: check em out |
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| I think you need to check out CFI. Before even thinking of any other company. Ive been there three months and havent made less than 800$ a week. |
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marcel27208
Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Posts: 793
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| that $500 dollars is the LEAST amount they will guarantee...in other words you wont make less than that |
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Ian Williams
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 705
Location: Northern NV
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Why? |
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dollarshort wrote: Why don't you go work on a cruise ship if you don't want to be home. Work 9 months and take off 3 months. All food and accomodations are included. Why work for slave wages and sleep in a truck for barely minimum wages? Think seriously about what you are getting yourself into.
You can also do seasonal oil & gas work in the more Remote parts of Alaska, Wyoming, etc if you want to get away and make some $.
I don't know if they hire in your area but I've heard good stuff about Gordon.
I would also say see if any of the LTLs in your area have a dock-to-driver deal but it sounds like you want to run OTR and get the heck out of dodge. |
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TruckingDog
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Why? |
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Ian Williams wrote: dollarshort wrote: Why don't you go work on a cruise ship if you don't want to be home. Work 9 months and take off 3 months. All food and accomodations are included. Why work for slave wages and sleep in a truck for barely minimum wages? Think seriously about what you are getting yourself into.
You can also do seasonal oil & gas work in the more Remote parts of Alaska, Wyoming, etc if you want to get away and make some $.
I don't know if they hire in your area but I've heard good stuff about Gordon.
I would also say see if any of the LTLs in your area have a dock-to-driver deal but it sounds like you want to run OTR and get the heck out of dodge.
CWX has a terminal in Chico I think, about 90 minutes from my house. If iIwas 30 minutes closer I would have jumped on their dock to driver program. |
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TruckingDog
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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Ian Williams wrote: How is the training at Pumpkin Free? It it the "free" if you stay around for a year variety?
Here's the deal. I do not like the way I live. I cannot afford school of any sort; university, community college, trucking school etc to help improve my way of life. This is the best chance I have to boost my income by 30%-50%. The CWX dock to driver program would have been great but I live 90 minutes from the closest terminal. CR England and Central Referigerated take payments out of your check to pay for the school and I'm not doing this to get another bill. SNI is my best option all the way around. I'm glad things are going great for you and when your in the ol' folks home look for me. I'll be docking the CWX truck at your local grocery store bringing in your Geritol.] |
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Longsnowsm
Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 563
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Just a note on SNI. People are saying they have changed the commitment time from 1 year to 18 mths before your debt is paid off. That is a long time to put up with the lower CPM that SNI pays.
You can get many of the driving schools to finance you and have a prehire for a company that will reimburse you for your training. You then have options and can get on with a company that pays better. Just some food for thought.
Longsnowsm |
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marcel27208
Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Posts: 793
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Id go with SNI...you get plenty of miles and dont have to pay for your school....and the whole 18month commitment ONLY depends on where you live or its 12 months...and by the time you do 12-18 months youll have enough experience to work local or somewhere where you can be home more often SNI says out 2-3 weeks home 2-3 days |
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Niagarafallss1
Joined: 25 Jun 2005
Posts: 515
Location: Western New York State
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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Trucking Dog, before you commit yourself to the Orange contract, make VERY VERY sure you even like living out of a truck. When the days work is done, you're still there in the truck. Personal road expenses are gonna gobble up a lot from your wallet until you figure out the right stops to re-load your food supply etc.
If you can, do a ride along with someone you may know that drives. Go for a week or two.
Or, slap the school fee on a zero interest credit card and find a local school. This way if you hate one company, you can switch out to another and not be tied up with a training contract comitment to any carrier. The only commitment you'll have is the one to yourself ;) |
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