Starting Pay For Schneider

Could be worse...you could be stuck in a contract with celadon making .18 a mile...Schneider sounding real good to me on this end

TreeBark, be really careful about entertaining those thoughts!

You may think you are getting a raw deal, but it is the deal you entered into. The very best thing you can do for your future career is to hang in there and complete what you started with CRST. I can't tell you how many times we have had folks come back in our forum thinking they saw some greener grass somewhere else only to discover their rose-colored glasses had really fooled them.

You've got to consider this first year as a total learning experience, and brother, you will learn a lot during that inaugural year. Don't be trying to turn it into the high paying job you've always dreamed of, it is going to be years before you are driving at that level. Have you ever thought about the fact that as a team driver you are getting paid while you sleep? I don't know of any job like that anywhere. I know that CRST does not have the most generous pay package for the rookie drivers, and you are usually paired up with another rookie, which makes it double trouble on your paycheck, but they did what they agreed to do - they helped you get your CDL , and I assume it was going to be next to impossible for you to do it without them or you wouldn't have gone that route.

Hang in there man, and do the right thing, you will be proud that you did. You sure don't want to get out there looking for driving jobs and discover that no one will hire you because CRST is holding an unfinished contract that will allow them to force your new employer to pay what you owe for them training you.

I just completed my first week of solo driving for Schneider. The pay isn't the greatest out there by far, I am making .34 cents a mile, by the end of my first year I'll be at .41 cents. I have had nothing but positive experiences with everyone in the company that I've ever come into contact with. When I got my truck last week it was in shambles, not going to lie. I hated it, the previous driver was a smoker so it had that stale smell. It wasn't taken care of either by the previous owner. Its a 2012 Freightliner, but it's my truck and I have cleaned it up and gotten it into respectable shape. But I've already been told by my DBL that I will have a new 2016 truck by the end of November, my truck is already being appraised so they can sell it off. Once that happens, its a short time before you're given a new truck. I'm very happy with my choice to go with Schneider. With winter coming I want the control over my driving and if I'm not comfortable I can shut down and not worry about being threatened or yelled at. Not many companies offer that, and for a rookie driver coming into their first winter that is a big deal. Almost worth more than cents per mile for a rookie. Control is huge.

I have noticed the companies with the best pay and benefits are ones that require a year or more of experience. That isn't an accident, experienced and skilled drivers produce more value fir their employer and customers than some joe six pack off the street with no idea what their doing, which is the position you are in right now.

I just completed my first week of solo driving for Schneider. The pay isn't the greatest out there by far, I am making .34 cents a mile, by the end of my first year I'll be at .41 cents. I have had nothing but positive experiences with everyone in the company that I've ever come into contact with. When I got my truck last week it was in shambles, not going to lie. I hated it, the previous driver was a smoker so it had that stale smell. It wasn't taken care of either by the previous owner. Its a 2012 Freightliner, but it's my truck and I have cleaned it up and gotten it into respectable shape. But I've already been told by my DBL that I will have a new 2016 truck by the end of November, my truck is already being appraised so they can sell it off. Once that happens, its a short time before you're given a new truck. I'm very happy with my choice to go with Schneider. With winter coming I want the control over my driving and if I'm not comfortable I can shut down and not worry about being threatened or yelled at. Not many companies offer that, and for a rookie driver coming into their first winter that is a big deal. Almost worth more than cents per mile for a rookie. Control is huge.

Hey quick question when you did your 18 day orientation did you have a private hotel room or did you have to share a room with someone?

I was roomed with another person. BUT...the entire hotel was no smoking AND after week one you are out with your Training Engineer for about 5-6 days. Then back to hotel for final week.

Also, some people don't make it past the first day. So, your roommate may change or you could be on your own. Secure your valuables accordingly.

More on Schneider Starting out at 28 cpm + 3 cpm safety paid quarterly and then by the end of the first year you should be at 38cpm. The key word is SHOULD be!! Every driver has to prove them selves to what ever company they start with. I'm 58 years old and the minute I new what day I was finally retiring from law enforcement I started researching what company I wanted to work for. I took 2 years researching and it was worth taking that amount of time to gain the knowledge that I now have in starting my driving career.

Blessed, I too am a former LEO, and not far from your own age. Having recently departed from the Federal Government, due to family relocation to Franklin, NC, I am about to embark on the Trucker's journey as a new career. So with your two years of research, compared to my two months, would you have any pointers for a carrier in my area? With respect to income, I haven't earned less than $70K in many years, and looking at $40K starting out will be pretty difficult, when considering budget. I will be going to Trans Tech for the CDL , and will ask that I train and obtain any endorsements they will offer. Plus, I am a sole caretaker of a cat, which means I am shopping for pet friendly carriers. Also a 8 year Marine Corps Veteran, with Infantry and Logistics as MOS, so maybe that will help me along in the resume. Overall, just trying to get any good scoop on the best carrier to start out with. Recently spoke with JB Hunt somewhere near Atlanta, and the recruiter (Andy) said that they required a minimum of 3 months, and they would start you at $55K. So thoughts were to go to Werner first, which is starting around $45K, and then after I get my 3 months, head onto JB Junt. I am not much for job hopping, but in order to meet the budget, I have to get onboard with someone who is willing to meet that obligation. Any helpful advice or input would be appreciated, thanks!

will ask that I train and obtain any endorsements they will offer

Actually the endorsements are simply written tests that you can study for and take yourself when you get your permit. The only one you may have to wait for is Hazmat because most states won't let you get your Hazmat endorsement when you have a permit. You have to get your actual CDL first and then add the Hazmat endorsement.

But you can study right here using our High Road Training Program for the permit, the endorsements, and to prepare for your career. Here is how our program breaks down:

To Get Your CDL Permit:

• Rules & Regulations
• Driving Safely
• Transporting Cargo Safely
• Air Brakes
• Combination Vehicles
• Pre-Trip Inspection
• Driving Exam

To get your CDL endorsements which are optional but highly recommend:

• Transporting Passengers
• Doubles And Triples
• Tankers
• Hazardous Materials

Two sections we've built ourselves with info you'll need for everyday life on the road:

• Logbook
• Weight & Balance

Two sections for anyone considering flatbed:

• Cargo Securement
• New York State Coil Endorsement

I am a sole caretaker of a cat, which means I am shopping for pet friendly carriers

We have a List of Trucking Companies That Allow Pets so check that out.

Also a 8 year Marine Corps Veteran, with Infantry and Logistics as MOS, so maybe that will help me along in the resume.

We have a page with information about Trucking Companies, GI Bill, And Military Veterans so have a look at that.

Brett,

Thanks man. I will definitely take a tour of the high road, and as for the GI Bill, I was given the shaft on that deal. I wanted to exit the program in the first 6 months of active duty, only so I could better afford to pay off a loan. The corporal who allowed this for me, "totally" understood that I wanted to come back to the program once I had the loan paid off. He said, no problem. When loan was paid, I came back to the admin center, and that corporal was no longer in the Corps. The Warrant Officer told me that once I was out, I was out. I could be 99 years old, and if I saw that Corporal Johnson, he would get his head knocked off. As for the cat, I have seen the companies you have listed that allow pets. I am still trying to narrow down however, if the cat can be there during the carrier training period. Common sense says no. I live alone, so if I am out on the road, there is no solution except for a cat hotel, and that can be really expensive for sure. So just looking at options. Maybe the carrier would have a pet hotel for their drivers, lol. Thanks again for your help sir.

The starting pay for Schneider is as varying as the weather. Are you solo, or team, OTR , or Deadicated. Regional or local. They have starting pay from light weight solutions 38k to a team Ford dedicated 62k, and everything between. They have salary pay by day to pay cpm.

From Doc … "When I got my truck last week it was in shambles, not going to lie. I hated it, the previous driver was a smoker so it had that stale smell. It wasn't taken care of either by the previous owner"

So if a company hands a smokers truck to a non-smoker, it opens itself up to a nice lawsuit. I for one would refuse a smokers truck, my health is worth more than a job. A company can not force you into a smokers truck! They should know better than to even try.