Profile For Ken H.

How is the expected hometime? I am about 100 miles from where Schneider offer's their bulk regional, so I didn't think it would be worth it unless they have great hometime.

I've read about tanker positions. People talk about both how it's good to start in it so you don't develop bad habits from other kinds of trucking. They also talk about how there is much more to it than other forms of trucking, and how it's kind of sink or swim, to put it short. Just an fyi. Starting with chemical tankers is something I am very hesitant on, personally, but there are many different types of people.

Either way, I think that if you do well in it, it would open up all kinds of lucrative opportunities.

They say home weekly, basically for your 34 over a weekend.

Congrats! Question for both of you drivers working for Schneider. Did either of you start with them without any experience or did you have to get some experience else where before getting on with Schneider?

I just graduated CDL school on December 3rd, so no, I don't have any experience. It came down to a choosing between Melton or Schneider Bulk for me.(And a job in Reno that pays at least 3x what both of these pay, but that story can wait). Melton pays more but I don't feel like dealing with tarps. Also, Schneider, at least for this position, is more home time friendly. Melton has been friggin' awesome to deal with though. I have been a factory worker my whole life; so Schneider just feels more "homey" to me, since it's only about 30 miles away.

I can understand that. I'm in CDL school right now and really want to get on with Shneider, kind of worried I won't have much luck though since the school I'm going to isn't one of there "approved schools" you know. I'm going to try anyway.

I don't think they're all that picky about schools. There was one guy in class that had some sort of criminal record.(on top of being a complete f'ing moron), that was turned down by Schneider. I have a past DUI and they had no problem with it. You'll probably be fine. If you want tanker, they train in Pittsburgh and Houston.

Ya tanker would awesome! That is my ultimate goal! Already been studying my hazmat portion and going to try and get the TSA fingerprinting done while I am still in school so when I'm done with my CDL I can go ahead and test immediately afterwards.

Well, if that's what you want, get Haz, a TWIC card, and a passport. Don't be "that guy" at orientation. Show that you have your **** together, and they'll get you moving faster.

Congrats! Question for both of you drivers working for Schneider. Did either of you start with them without any experience or did you have to get some experience else where before getting on with Schneider?

I just graduated CDL school on December 3rd, so no, I don't have any experience. It came down to a choosing between Melton or Schneider Bulk for me.(And a job in Reno that pays at least 3x what both of these pay, but that story can wait). Melton pays more but I don't feel like dealing with tarps. Also, Schneider, at least for this position, is more home time friendly. Melton has been friggin' awesome to deal with though. I have been a factory worker my whole life; so Schneider just feels more "homey" to me, since it's only about 30 miles away.

I can understand that. I'm in CDL school right now and really want to get on with Shneider, kind of worried I won't have much luck though since the school I'm going to isn't one of there "approved schools" you know. I'm going to try anyway.

I don't think they're all that picky about schools. There was one guy in class that had some sort of criminal record that was turned down by Schneider. I have a past DUI and they had no problem with it. You'll probably be fine. If you want tanker, they train in Pittsburgh and Houston.

Congrats! Question for both of you drivers working for Schneider. Did either of you start with them without any experience or did you have to get some experience else where before getting on with Schneider?

I just graduated CDL school on December 3rd, so no, I don't have any experience. It came down to a choosing between Melton or Schneider Bulk for me.(And a job in Reno that pays at least 3x what both of these pay, but that story can wait). Melton pays more but I don't feel like dealing with tarps. Also, Schneider, at least for this position, is more home time friendly. Melton has been friggin' awesome to deal with though. I have been a factory worker my whole life; so Schneider just feels more "homey" to me, since it's only about 30 miles away.

Well, the labor situation at my job hasn't improved and shows no signs of doing so, so I took a position at Schneider in Coraopolis. They seem like a pretty good outfit, as training companies go. Got my hazmat, TWIC, and passport all squared away. I'm pretty excited about it, just a bit nervous about leaving my house and family behind. My kids are teens, so it'll be somewhat easier on the wife.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks man. Seems like an decent company to go with. It's a regional position, so I should be home 1 day a week at least. Not too concerned about the money; We've planned for the collapse of society for a long time, still fairly young(40), and we've been living just fine on 500 a week unemployment for the past 4 months. Thank God the house is paid off. I'm just bored now.

I'm in the dry Van division. I've considered bulk and every bulk driver I've talked to loves it.

As a company they've kept every promise they've made to me.

I think you'll be in a really good place.

What area will you be operating in?

It's for Regional, out of Pittsburgh. I live about 45 minutes from their Coraopolis OC.

Well, the labor situation at my job hasn't improved and shows no signs of doing so, so I took a position at Schneider in Coraopolis. They seem like a pretty good outfit, as training companies go. Got my hazmat, TWIC, and passport all squared away. I'm pretty excited about it, just a bit nervous about leaving my house and family behind. My kids are teens, so it'll be somewhat easier on the wife.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks man. Seems like an decent company to go with. It's a regional position, so I should be home 1 day a week at least. Not too concerned about the money; We've planned for the collapse of society for a long time, still fairly young(40), and we've been living just fine on 500 a week unemployment for the past 4 months. Thank God the house is paid off. I'm just bored now.

Well, the labor situation at my job hasn't improved and shows no signs of doing so, so I took a position at Schneider in Coraopolis. They seem like a pretty good outfit, as training companies go. Got my hazmat, TWIC, and passport all squared away. I'm pretty excited about it, just a bit nervous about leaving my house and family behind. My kids are teens, so it'll be somewhat easier on the wife.

I'm not exactly sure how your pre trip is worded but this may be a helpful tip:

If its rubber - ABC (Abrasions, Bulges, Cuts)

If it has fluid/air going through it or in it - Not leaking.

If its mounted - PMS (Properly Mounted and Secure)

If its metal or some other hard surface - CBB (Cracked, Bent, Broken)

These are the words used:

Secure, no leaks, within operating range (power steering, engine oil...), no cracks/welds/bends (frame), no chaffing, no cuts/cords/fabric showing (tires), etc

Those are all good terms to remember, Vamp! I was wondering, though: Did the CDL School you are attending adopt the new 90-point Pre-Trip on December 21, 2015? The reason I'm asking stems from learning that nearly all CDL Schools in Central Pennsylvania (Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, AAA Truck Driving School, McCann, and CDL.com, to name a few) have adopted the new Pre-Trip test as of 12/21.

Thanks, and good luck with your progress. I am sure you will pass with flying colors and, by this time next year, all this will be a fond memory.

It changed in western PA on Dec. 4. They sprung 3 of us on the 3rd.

We do have to learn *all* the words for all the parts:

To the storm trooper you say stuff like "coolant level, adequate level. Radiator; secure, no leak. Upper and lower hoses secure, no leaks..."

And using different words such as no cracks, welds or bends....secure, no chaffing.....and use those terms only for certain parts, but not some others. I gets me all confuzzled. :)

Just group things together....If it's rubber, i.e, air hoses, water hoses, tires, look for leaks. Like when you get to the back tires, say I'll check them the same as the front, except 2/32 instead of 4/32 tread depth and they can be recaps. Believe me, it's more intimidating than it really is. I've been working on cars since I was 16, and have been an industrial mechanic for the past 10, and it seemed like a lot at first. You'll find it's not hard to memorize. As I said, I had that lady with me...I helped her learn the underhood stuff like the alternator..ok, it has wires going to it and a belt. The air compressor will have rubber air lines, and almost always has fins cast into it.

I'm at United Tractor Trailer school in Chicopee MA. I have to say, I love the instructors so far. Super nice guys. I was also paired in heaven with a classmate who couldn't be more funny and he's very good to me. It helps to know I can learn alongside someone who has patience, a luxury I don't have very often. So far so good....I just wish my brain could retain the info more easily.

Don't worry, you'll do fine! I was paired with a lady that was so full of self doubt, yet she always managed. That's why we have instructors. PA completely changed their CDL testing requirements at the beginning of this month. The school picked the three of us that they thought could pass, on the day before they changed it, so they could work more with the other students. We all passed, and the test changed the next day. That was at the beginning of December. From what I've heard, everyone passed a week later. So, she ended up being a more capable driver than I am!