I cannot say what Schneider is like to work for, as I haven't worked for them. To pass along rumors wouldn't give you an accurate picture. As far as 2500 miles per week is concerned, that number is neither high nor low. It doesn't sound too far off the mark, though. Large carriers do have some things in common, however and it's fairly safe to generalize some in that respect. A driver does tend to be more of a "number" at a large carrier. It can be harder to "stand out" as well. On the other hand, the benefits of a large carrier are tough to compete with. More opportunities for freight, terminals nationwide and better benefits are very alluring to most of us. For years Schneider drivers have suffered a great deal of teasing. Schneider trucks were "stuck" (or more properly, "governed") at 55 mph. Most trucks would run faster than this and Schneider drivers were always being teased about their slow trucks. They've also "caught" grief from the orange color of their trucks/trailers, hence, the nickname "pumpkin" was born. Since then, the trucks have been turned up to (I think) 65 mph and that sort of teasing has died down a great deal. My biggest concern for you would be about your aptitude with the short training. Schneider has actually been an industry leader in development of training, but the way that they've crammed it into ELEVEN DAYS is of great concern to me. Most people just don't learn so quickly. I'd hate to see a person fail at Schneider and think they weren't capable when it was only a matter of needing longer training. I just don't believe most people are cut out to go through so quickly and have a hard time believing that even the most capable of people SHOULD call themselves a CDL holder in such a short time. Their web site is pretty comprehensive -- you might find it interesting: http://www.schneider.com/

Category: Carriers

I'm afraid I don't have the best news for you... DUI is a big no-no in this industry, as you might expect. Many carriers have a policy that says if you've had one in: The past xx number of years Your lifetime that they can't hire you. Yes, some will not hire you if you have EVER had a DUI. I can't answer about the carriers you're speaking of, as I've not worked for them. What this comes down to for you is perserverance. You'll have to get on that phone and call 1000 carriers. Tell them upfront about the DUI and that you are a changed person. You will face a great deal of rejection, as your DUI isn't very old yet. You'll have more luck as it gets older, but it will haunt you for awhile yet. No, your situation is not impossible, but you will have to make a lot of phone calls to find a good carrier that will accept this.

Category: Carriers

Whether it was a felony or misdemeanor makes a very big difference. If a United States citizen (driver) wants to go into Canada, if he/she has a felony on their record, they must have a "Minister's Permit". I'll be the first to admit that I am unsure as to what that entails, and if it is the only thing they need, but these are supposedly not easy to obtain. That is why, quite often, someone with a felony has a very hard time getting an OTR job. Companies who go into Canada especially will likely not hire someone with a felony. How the laws differ for Canadian citizens with felonies I am unsure. Contact your local DMV/DOT office. Before doing that, though, I'd find out just exactly what is on your record. You can then call carriers and tell them. You might as well because they'll find out anyway.

Category: Carriers

I think every driver would give his/her left pinky finger to know the answer to this one! No, but really, your best resource would be the drivers themselves. It seems true that you hear a lot about the "bad" carriers -- but hear very little about the better and "good" carriers. You absolutely have to talk to more than one driver, though. Talk to as many as possible. Every person "fits" in different companies in different ways. There will always be a driver who dislikes his carrier, no matter what the carrier is like. Another driver at the same place will love his job. There is such a thing as "good" and "bad" carriers to an extent, but more to the point, it is how good of a fit that you can find. (How many of your needs they can and will meet.)

Category: Carriers

Probably not BUT most flatbed carriers will simply have you go through an extra week or two on cargo securement, binding, etc. after you finish school. I do not know of a school that spends much time in these areas so the carriers know that they will have to expand on that after school is out. Really, driving them isn't all that different - it is the securement that is so important. You may also be introduced to spread axle trailers as well, though you are seeing more and more van spread axles all the time.

Category: Carriers

The only suggestions I can offer are far from perfect! I've had to live with this difficulty myself. Some of your options are: 1.) Shopping Malls closeby. (Or other large lots.) I used to park in a mall lot and call a cab to take me home (it was only about 5 miles) This worked well until one day the mall decided they didn't like me anymore and from then on I got a ticket every time I parked there. (It was only $5.00 and I continued to park there for awhile -- figuring that $5.00 for a couple days of parking was well worth it.) Sometimes it is to your advantage to speak to the owner of the lot about the possibility of parking there, even offering to pay. Otherwise they may not ticket you -- they may tow you. 2.) Truck stop... You had better ask permission because truckstops are even more likely to have you towed. 3.) Is there a trucking company anywhere near where you live? Offer to pay to leave a car there and to park your truck there when home. With any of these ways, the possibility of break in goes up, of course, so you'll want to choose the safest way. If you could drop the trailer somewhere and bobtail home, you can reduce the theft threat some, but be sure to lock up cargo, even invest in a kingpin lock. If you are running a reefer, you will probably want to go check on it daily while you are home, especially when temperatures are extreme or if hauling a sensitive product.

Category: Carriers

This seems to happen quite often... a person doesn't go to work immediately after school is out and then when they do get going, they find they waited too long. This happens to experienced drivers, too -- they get away from the industry for a few years and upon returning, they're told they'll have to attend school again. Fortunately you didn't graduate that long ago. My best advice is not to wait any longer, though. Pick up the phone and call, call, call. Tell them when you graduated, etc. You'll eventually hit pay dirt but get to it and keep at it. It will get harder the longer you wait and I'm sure you do not want to repeat truck driving school! For the time being, carriers are being a bit pickier about who they hire because, simply, they can. The economy is in a slump and freight has been slow - not to mention we are in the time of the year that freight is slow anyway. This is another factor that is working against you. Your age may not have made any difference a year or two ago, but because of these other factors, it might be playing a part. Don't give up, just dial.

Category: Carriers

Company drivers rarely, if ever, have to pay for fuel. They are issued a fuel card that works much like a credit card. In some cases, if driving for an Owner Operator, it is more likely that the driver may pay for fuel and be reimbursed, but even this is not a common arrangement.

Category: Carriers