Profile For Derrick W.

I have a friend that is wondering about a company that will train him. He wants to go flatbed so I am wondering if you guys have any information on some beginner flatbed companies. If so can you give me some insight on their home time, mileage range, do they train to get your CDL, ETC. Thanks Y'all..

I work the Schneider dedicated account for International Paper. My (DBL) boss has given me the okay to park near my house if I find a safe place. They have a form that you fill out and have the owner of the property sign it. I park at the Schneider Carlisle, PA Operating Center (OC) which is about 85-miles from my house. I park my truck there instead of finding a place closer for a few reasons.

1. I drive 85 miles to work each week and 85 miles to home each week. Figure most people drive 20-miles to work and 20-miles home each work day. So they drive about 200-miles a week. I drive 170-miles a week.

2. When I need any service done on my truck I just have my DBL schedule it during my hometime. I pull into the OC and tell them my truck is here and I need it back in 34-hours at the end of my hometime. The maintenance crew always does a great job on my truck.

3. Geographically it is better for my working the International Paper account.

Talk to your DBL about what would work best for you. I have found Schneider to be pretty accommodating to me.

Thanks Tman, I honestly hope I have someone that will allow me to bring the truck home. But, I don't have a problem driving back and forth if not.

@Steve man everything you all have told me helps. I'm going to stick with this position. I will keep you all posted

I work for Schneider, NE regional, and so far it's been 100% no touch. Also, my recruiter told me the truck would have to be parked at their yard in Portland ME, but when I actually got there and met my manager, he said I could park it closer to home. But that's probably up to whatever manager you get. If there's any way you could get in touch with the manager for that account maybe you could ask.

@Kurt thanks man. I'm going to be doing the Southeast I think. I hope they let me park close to home. I think I'm gonna stick to this position with Schneider. They sound legit. I thank all of you guys so much. I will keep you all posted!

I drive OTR for Schneider, but have run some dedicated stuff when they are short-handed on weekends. It's been all no touch for me. Do you know who the customer is?

Good luck. Everything Schneider Recruiters promised me was true.

@Steve I think it's a Home Depot account. I'll run Alabama, Arkansas,Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

I work for Schneider, NE regional, and so far it's been 100% no touch. Also, my recruiter told me the truck would have to be parked at their yard in Portland ME, but when I actually got there and met my manager, he said I could park it closer to home. But that's probably up to whatever manager you get. If there's any way you could get in touch with the manager for that account maybe you could ask.

@Kurt thanks man. I'm going to be doing the Southeast I think. I hope they let me park close to home. I think I'm gonna stick to this position with Schneider. They sound legit. I thank all of you guys so much. I will keep you all posted!

I agree with Old School. Stay away from the dollar store accounts in the very beginning. I ran one of those for a year with US Xpress and it's brutal. The backing is really tough, some stores are hard to locate, most are in really congested areas, and it wears you down. It's a heck of a workload for a new driver to take on. I would say get a minimum of six months of OTR, preferably a year before you go for something like that.

Both Werner and Schneider are huge, successful companies with a million opportunities. You can't go wrong at either place. Just avoid the dollar tree accounts for now but consider their other options for regional routes that get you home weekends. Even if you have to put in a few months OTR before qualifying for a certain division it's usually well worth it if it suits you well. Don't worry about how long their training is. That's trivial. Go with the company you feel suits you best and you'll do fine.

The Schneider dedicated position said 100% no-touch freight. That seems pretty legit, right?

Derrick, that is a really tough job. Let me restate that... it is a brutal job.

I never recommend that job to rookies. There is a good reason it pays so well - they can't keep drivers on it.

I suggest you put "dollar stores" in the search bar at the top of this page and read some of our former conversations about that account. You need to be fully aware of how that account could be both the start and the end of your new career before you jump into that water.

I thank you so much for that! I know Schneider said it would be no touch but Werner said I would be unloading for extra pay. I didn't think it would be difficult. I had better stick with Schneider. I'm so thankful for you guys!

Is that Werner job one of the "Dollar" store accounts?

Yes it's a Dollar General I think. She said I would have to unload it for extra pay.

So I've been pre-hired by Schneider on a dedicated position. They are offering me a position in the southeast running Monday from about 2-6 a.m. until Saturday (sometime) and then I'm home for a 34 hour restart. The only problem is the truck stays at the yard about 80 miles away. So I would go train for 3 weeks with them and then start driving. Werner offered me a Regional position that runs the southeast as well, I would run 5 days and then come home for a 34 hour restart. They said the truck comes home with me. I would ride with a trainer for 6 weeks (long time to be away from home) and then start on my own. I really don't know who to go with. I have my CDL, I just need further training with companies. Can someone give me a little advice?

I'm 21 and I recently graduated and got my CDL's. I am now looking for a company that will offer good mileage and good home time. I wouldn't mind running through the week and being home on weekends. Or even a company that keeps me out maybe 5-6 days and bring me home for at least two days. I have been looking at Roehl, Knight, Schneider, and Dart (slightly). I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could give me companies and information as well as feedback about the ones I've listed.