Profile For Mathew H.

Tomorrow is last day of school. Now that I pretty much finished I'll give my thoughts about TDDS. First I think they have some really great instructors. I don't have any doubts I'll get my CDL on my 1st try. TDDS us close to my home so that was a big factor in chosing them. We have a few guys who stay in the dorms the school provides but none of them have anything good to say about them. I haven't seen them myself. The school itself is pretty run down and the restrooms seemed to always smell pretty bad. So I would say the facilities have alot that could be improved. To me that's not a big thing but someone who has to stay at the school might want to think about it. Now the equipment we trained on was pretty run down. I understand that students will be hard on equipment and never expected really nice equipment but I think it could have been better for the money everyone pays to go there. The lot we did manuevers in was a mess, nothing but mud and big pot holes. Again this isn't a major thing but I ended up ruining two pairs of shoes from getting out to look and stepping in ankle deep holes. Now that we're finished they are doing renovations of the lot. Go figure. Anyway, I payed to learn to get my CDL and I will do that.

Stay safe, Matt

Schneider allows zero pets, zero weapons unless it's a hammer or tire club. A knife that is smaller then 4" is permissible. You may get home the weekend before you leave, but my buddy went out Saturday solo after graduating Friday.

You don't get paid 80. 7 days for 3 weeks. The first week is Wed-Saturday. The second weeks is Sunday- Saturday and the third week is Sunday till you graduate which could be Thursday or Friday.

They do have computers you can use for the computer training modules.

It is a great place, and most people are really friendly. They expect you to work hard and show respect and they will show you respect too. They treat you as equals, and there is really no sonority stuff there. The Atlas agility test is easy as long as you have no heart issues. Your not going to be tested on the slow manevour course, but it is a lot of fun!!!!

Hope that helps!

I was told different about the training pay. I asked if payed for everyday there and they told me yes you are.

Good luck with Schneinder. I am starting a trucking school in the beginning of December and Schneider is on my short list of potential employers. They are big enough to offer many driving options, seem to welcome rookies and are have about the pet-friendliest policy I have come across. I'll be interested to hear about your experience there. I hope you keep posting, or better yet start a blog!

Not sure where you saw Schneider allows pets, from everything I read on their site they do not..I wish they did. I know Roehl just started allowing pets and USA Truck will in Jan 2016. I start CDL school in January and hope to take my little buddy with me later on.

My recruiter specificly told me no pets or weapons on the truck. You might want to look into that more.

Thanks everyone. My fiance understands, she was actually pushing me a long time ago to go regional and to go with Schneider. Ended up getting what she wanted lol. Also am glad to hear good things about Schneider. I have heard the training is good though. How does there training time go? Is it straight through the week and weekends? I would assume it is.

My recruiter told me $80 a day 7 days a week for a total of 18 days but that may change depending on how far along we are before Christmas. I was told will definetly be home for Christmas but may have to go back to Indy for a couple days

Hey everyone. I am just excited to finally start my new career. I graduated school in the beginning of October and got my CDL A. I tried and tried to get a local position but it is not easy with no experience lol. So I finally decided to go regional and after looking at all sorts of companies I chose Schneider. I hear good things about there training and it is not that long as long as I do not need more time. I have my 2 year old daughter, and being away will be hard. But I will get through it so I can get some experience. I am probably going to get in my one year and try again for local. Other than that I am set to go for orientation on December 8th. Wish me luck.

I'm also set to start orientation Dec 8th. I got one day of school left and test on Saturday for my CDL. Are you training in Indianapolis ?

Are you still with Schneider ? I do my 2nd phone interview this coming Wednesday. I finish school the day before Thanksgiving and am hoping to be going to training the beginning of December in Indy.

Well today was first day of driving on the road. They have a loop that takes about 30 minutes to run around. My first time was a little sketchy, missed gears and kept screwing up the downshifting. Second time around we all did alot better. Really think I'm going to enjoy this job.

Be safe out there.....Matt

Half way through my training at TDDS. We finished classroom work last week averaged 98% out of 15 tests. Monday we start manuevers, actually straight line backing is whats scheduled for tomorrow. The instructors have been great, the equipment in the yard is kinda ragged but can't expect nice stuff either with students operating it. Still haven't got a company locked down yet. Torn between Schneider and what I hear of their training or going the LTL route with YRC. And something in the back of my head keeps nagging me to think about flabedding. Lol.

Stay safe out there.

Worked on pre-trip today at school. It's definitely a lot to remember but saying it and doing it has taken some of the stress off. Our instructor keeps emphasising that the brake test needs to be said and done word for word as we're being taught and if you miss any on the brake test it's a failure. Stressful but the more we do it the easier it gets. Good luck

Thanks 6 String...definetly alot of things to consider. I have family and friends working for Conway and are happy with them. I thought it was hard to get into the LTL's without experience. I'm going to have to do some research and read your thread. Thanks again