Profile For Toad

Long time reader on here, but very few posts. I’ve driven for Sysco for a little over 14 months. If you’re In pretty good shape you shouldn’t be sore. Have you been driving for elsewhere? All food service companies have their slight variance but for the most seem to be the same. You’ll have stops with stairs both up and down, and be digging for cases throughout the day, but most people make it harder than it is. I have really enjoyed it, any specific questions and I’ll try to help.

Well, I just got out of my evaluation meeting with my trainer. And it’s official- I am a new driver for Schneider!

Schneider’s drive is scored fail at 16 points and I scored 3 points. Need to check mirrors better and scan intersections better.

Whew - been a wild ride. Three more days left filled with tablet training, trip planning etc etc.

Then off mentors truck for 5-7 days 🎉

Congratulations! I had a great experience with me TE. The trip planning class is very long days, very detailed, but very long!

It really is a great training program, the time flies. You may also be happy to know, your days with a TE they’ll pay for a hotel room each night for you, at least I know training out of west Memphis people are still getting a room to themselves.

During orientation you’ll spend 4 or 5 days mostly behind the wheel, whether that’s spent working on backing, driving on the road or slow maneuvers is up to your road instructor on what you struggle with most. For me being a yard jockey in the past I only worked on backing twice besides parking after driving. I typically drove on city streets and highways about 100-150 miles a day with my road trainer, which made my time with a TE a lot more about getting used to the workflow. Their training seems short and it’s a lot to learn, if you struggle with a skill just talk with your road trainer during orientation and they’ll go out of their way to help. Going into I figured Schneider has been doing this a long time and I put full trust that they have it down to a science in what they’re doing. We started with around 15 in orientation, finished with 7, no one didn’t make it due to abilities, the only ones dropped were from leaving things out on an application or failing open book written tests. If you need anything let me know!

I started with Schneider regional, about a month ago. So far only positives, I’m not dedicated, but normally home weekly. Great orientation and training. They have a lot to offer a new driver. I’ve done my best to work hard for them, and they’ve taken great care of me so far.

Are you going to Des Moines or Columbia?

Congrats! Will you go home or go straight into phase 2?

Today is my last day in Roehl’s GYCDL program. I passed my CDL exam on Wednesday.

My experience here has been very positive. All staff and instructors are friendly, helpful, and patient.

I’m looking forward to my Phase 2 training starting next week.

As far as training goes, I can heartily recommend Roehl.

With Roehl I’ve been offered a national flatbed position. 11-14 days out 3 home which seems good to me. Roehl has seemed great and so many seem to enjoy working for them. Their only small downfall is a little less starting pay. I’m very curious to see how I handle the change of yard driver to full size tractor with split tandems.

I’m guessing your going flatbed by the companies you listed. They all are good companies. All companies have flaws, just like drivers. They are just different. You need to look at what is important to you. IE: Honetime options, rider policy, pay, etc. All 3 of those run great equip, may be spec’d a little different.

I would have as a priority what is their freight volume in your area. Makes a big difference getting you home.

TMC is strictly flatbed

Maverick is flatbed and glass division. They sold off their refeer division

Roehl has flatbed, refeer, and dry van.

I went through Roehl in the dry van fleet 7 years ago. I had a great experience with them.

What are your positives and flaws with Maverick?

My positives for them would be, great reputation, I live just outside of Little Rock so they’re very close, good starting pay, and even though I know “home on weekends” probably won’t mean a full weekend it’s still a good amount of home time.

My negatives for them, not paid during cdl school, which isn’t a major issue. The biggest issue I have seems to be the recruiter, I’ve tried calling to ask questions and I talk to someone different every time. They’ve never sent an email, so I can’t email questions, and the only two calls I’ve received were to go over my application and then to tell me I’ve been approved for orientation then call when there’s an open date. The little bit of information I did get from one of their recruiters told me that school would be deducted from my pay, but I read online that it’s not deducted if you stay two years

I’ve been approved for hire from all 3. I personally find positives and flaws in all 3, but would like an outside and experienced opinions.