Advice From Company Drivers
Topic 24297 | Page 1
I started with Schneider as a company driver and stayed with them for two years. Operated out of their Lebanon, TN center.
Everything they promised was true. I only left for another company driver position that is Southeast regional.
I recommend you check schneiderjobs.com for the position you are applying for. There might be information there you want to verify with a recruiter. LeAnne (Lebanon recruiter) was terrific. No bs. No lies.
I hope this helps.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Thanks Steve. I'm leaning toward Schneider. They seem.to be the most straight forward in a serving questions and everyone I've talked to has been very professional.
Hello everyone, I am getting closer to starting my cdl training. I have my DOT medical card and I will have my CDL permit next week. I would just like to hear from some drivers that drive for Swift, Werner, and Schneider. I'm still trying to decide what company is the best fit for me.Any info.is appreciated.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
You didn't mention Prime, but as for being straight forward about questions...their website tells you step by step what you need to know about the process.
The only thing old is the starting pay. Reefer now gets 44cpm in a full size and 49cpm in a lightweight.
Schneider is a great company and many of our members love them. The only complaints I have seen are about a short training period. Primes is much longer which can be great or bad depending on what a driver wants.
Prime Inc Paid CDL Training Program
Swift and Werner are awesome as well. Basically, if you have the right attitude and are willing to learn, you can go far at any of the big companies.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Cynthia I’ve been with Swift one month shy of 6 years.
Trained with them, stayed with them. I work with a fantastic driver support team on the Walmart Dedicated Account I am assigned to, running North East perishable and dry grocery deliveries to stores and Sams Club.
I have zero regrets. Zero.
We consistently suggest that focused, safety conscience drivers who conduct themselves with professionalism and respect are successful at most any company. All of your choices are good ones, but your evaluation should be objective on the opportunities (rookie and future), how they train, how they support new drivers, type of freight, freight corridor, hiring area, per policy, and of course home time policy. A subjective evaluation based on recruiter interaction, is not an indication of what it’s like to work for a specific company.
Best of luck and familiarize yourself with our starter-pack:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Cynthia
I have only been with Swift for a short time but they have delivered what they said to me in the beginning. I'm presently with my mentor (trainer), and though we are on a regional run basis they keep us running. But I will say this about the big carriers, if they weren't successful they would go under. So it all depends on the your goals, what region, what kind of freight, and home times you want. Once you pick the company remember to make that commitment to them for at least a year. This shows the company you are at your resolve and it shows a company that may want to change to that you have that resolve to at least stayed with your original company.
Sorry of this is long winded.
Good luck to you.
Raptor
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Being that most big companies are the same I would look at one that does a lot of business around where you live or even has a terminal near by. You don't need to live near one but it can be easier to get home when you do as well as give more opportunities in the future to get onto a dedicated account or even do local work.
I been at swift for almost 3 years and don't have much to complain about. I did OTR for a while but most of my time has been on Walmart dedicated.
Also look into Crete, notice not a lot of people talk about them and they are one of the top paying companies out there.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Hello everyone, I am getting closer to starting my cdl training. I have my DOT medical card and I will have my CDL permit next week. I would just like to hear from some drivers that drive for Swift, Werner, and Schneider. I'm still trying to decide what company is the best fit for me.Any info.is appreciated.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.