Schneider Orientation And Training

I will be starting Schneider’s Orientation and Training next week and am filled with anxiety. I am slightly worried about leaving my family for 18 days ( I realize it’s a short time in the industry.) I’m more concerned about my lack of backing skills. I passed the backing tests and got my CDL , however, throughout school I struggled with backing and am concerned about passing Schneider’s tests. Does anybody have experience with Schneider’s testing? If so, what do they expect? Are they helpful or impatient? Anything would be helpful. Thanks you.

Hey Lawrence you made a great choice and have nothing to worry about. If you look at some of my earliest post I believe I did a mini training diary. Ill respond more in detail later. Also our members Jamie and Robsteeler may respond at some point as well.

I believe you're have no problem, Schneider is a great company like many others. They want you to succeed. It was actually easier to pass Schneider tests then it was the states. They will require you to do a pre-trip the way they want you to, but unlike the states test where you have to remember the information. They give you cheat sheets and encourage you to use then, same with cheer sheets for anything they want you to do such as coupling and uncoupling, etc.

But over all you have to pass 3 tests.

1) pre-trip / coupling and uncoupling 2) 45 degree back, you get 15 minutes I believe. Make sure to G.O.A.L. 3) Trip planning which is part of the soft skills you'll learn.

Week one is pretty basic, same stuff you did in school. You'll spend the first day doing paper work, getting a drug and dot physical screening. Then you'll watch some videos about safety and defensive driving and others. After all that you'll be assigned a trainer which they split us up into groups of 3 per trainer. The trainer job is to help you learn your pre-trip(using the cheat sheets), how to setup for the 45 degree back and things like that. You'll also go on a slow maneuvering they have setup to help demonstrate some of the tight areas you might find yourself in at some truck stops, shippers and receivers. After you pass those few tests you'll be moving on to the second week and go out on the road with a trainer engineer. You might get lucky and get one to yourself but I was paired with another student.

Week two, there isn't a whole lot to say. You'll be on the road with the trailer engineer, making real deliveries. During this time it's best to ask your TE any questions you wish to know or need to know or a misunderstanding.

Week three: this is another week spent in the class room, you'll learn more about the Qualcomm , simulate loads and what you'll do and general information about the Qualcomm. You'll also learn how to trip plan, it's pretty basic.

Sorry about the sloppy post, quickly typed this up on my phone as I'm sitting around at a shipper waiting until my appointment.

Like I said, they want you to succeed and they'll give you the tools and teach you the knowledge to succeed. You have to be willing to out the effort in. I'm not saying you won't, just in general. It's going to be a lot to learn pretty quickly. Orientation is shorter than most companies, but they're good at teaching you the things you need to know.

Thanks Brian and Jamie! I feel a little less anxiety. 😱 I just really want to get this right!

Thanks Brian and Jamie! I feel a little less anxiety. 😱 I just really want to get this right!

Remember ASK QUESTIONS, if you don't know or you're not fully understanding something. Some people feel embarrassed to ask questions because they don't understand something, but don't be. They are there to help you succeed. Even after you get out of orientation, they have loads of resources and support to help you. But you'll do fine, I was pretty nervous when I was starting as well which was only about two and a half months ago when I start my first day at Schneider.

Well Jamie covered it, go in with ears and eyes open. Show the training engineers you have a good attitude and are eager to learn. Show them that and they will work with you no matter what.

You should’ve seen the experts still there trying when I (and the other ‘fraidy cats) tested out.

Go in with a positive attitude and be humble enough to follow their advice.

:)

Thanks guys!