Profile For Nick

Hi all!

First time poster here - relaying on my husband's experience and our discussions! He never actually signs up to forums, but I'm the opposite and love to read and relay on the info I find out from folks. So here goes-

He has just graduated from a trucking school with a CDL (yay), and has been offered some conditional offers with carriers - Schneider has been the most proactive with sending across paperwork and the like, so currently they are the most probable choice for him.

We would love to hear whether you experienced folks have anything to say on the fresh-pass/new CDL graduate program at Schneider, or any other large carriers for that matter. I have read some negative things about them but I do worry there is a bias, i.e. - if you have bad experience you are more inclined to go online and complain, and sometimes as a new grad, you do just have to "suck it up" and prove your worth (like in any career). So, it would be great to hear from those who have positives to add too, as well as any general advice for new CDL graduates.

Thank you so much!

-MrsTruckerTX

Hey there! So I was basically in your husband’s situation. I was a fresh CDL school graduate (upgrade from Class B to Class A - I drove buses for 3 years prior) who was trying to find a job on my own and eventually wound up at Schneider. We had a recruiter come to our school and talk to my class on our 2nd day and it sort of stuck with me ever since with this feeling that if I couldn’t get a job anywhere else, maybe Schneider would be an option.

I eventually submitted my application for them and received a job offer the same day. I will confidently say this was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been with them well over a year now and just surpassed 80,000 safe, accident free miles. They take really good care of me and right now, working here works for me. Everyone’s situation is different. I will say this. There is TONS of bias, not just at Schneider but from a lot of these larger companies, mostly as a result of people who got terminated for something they did so now they hate their former employer. That boils down to a lack of accountability on their part to realize they made the mistake and that doesn’t represent company culture as a whole. I would say 80% of the negativity I see online is strictly biased based and doesn’t really represent the company as a whole. Don’t ever let someone’s personal opinion influence your decisions. See for yourself.

I will also say I couldn’t agree with Old School more and what he said. Take in everything he said because he’s spot on. Bottom line, Schneider is a great place to get your start in this industry. It’s often a challenging one that I don’t think many people realize. A lot of people washout in the first few months. Schneider may not be the place you spend your whole career although we have a lot of 30+ year drivers here. Only you (or your husband in this case) can decide what’s best for him. Just understand that even a company like Schneider isn’t going to hand hold you everyday. We still need competent, confident, safe, reliable drivers who know the job, know how to drive, and can move the freight. If you aren’t cutting it, Schneider has plenty of other people they can put in that truck.

I would say for him to give Schneider a try. Again, it’s a great option right out of CDL school when options are so limited as it is. And no one is saying he has to stay forever. But if he wants to knock out that first year, or at minimum first 6 months, it’s a great place to do that. Once you hit your 1 year and you do it safely, you really open up so many more opportunities. There may be others on here who work at Schneider or used to who completely disagree with me but that’s just the bias. It’s also okay, too. Opinions are going to vary.I work here now and I can only speak from my own personal experience. Yes, it’s no secret you aren’t going to become rich here. But it’s also a place to get your start and work your way up when so many other companies won’t give you that opportunity. I am treated extremely well here and I’m very well taken care of. The time at home policy is one of the best and in these uncertain economic times, it’s a company who can still post a $6 billion annual revenue with an average truck feet age of 2023 or newer (I’m in a brand new 2026 having previously been in a 2025) and 11% of the total market share with tons of established customers and dedicated accounts. When more of these companies continue to shut their doors due to the current market, Schneider offers a bit of job security. A lot of people often talk down on mega carriers and maybe there is some element of truth to some of it but right now, it might be one of the better places to be. If he’s got an opportunity to come here, he should jump on it. Hope this all helps!

With how oversaturated the market is right now with drivers, and at least one, if not two preventable’s on your record, you are going to have a very steep uphill battle. It sounds like a situation of your lack of experience shining through, along with poor judgment for continuing to drive a truck you felt had an issue without having it looked at first. It will probably be a challenge to get hired somewhere, especially with an accident causing damage to company equipment. Just keep applying anywhere and everywhere. You are in no position to be picky. I realize this may not be what you wanted to hear and I’m not trying to be mean, just honest. It’s just where you’re at unfortunately.

A lot of what you read online may also not be a 100% accurate representation of what’s actually going on. I read a lot of stuff that seems to paint a much more negative, “doom and gloom” picture and often that’s not necessarily the case. Yes, the freight market is down. Yes, the rates are down. Yes, the industry is saturated with drivers. But we are also seeing a lot of drivers being taken out of service for DOT violations, some of which will prevent them from further holding a CDL.

At Schneider, we recorded our 2nd best Q1 results in our 90 year history as a company. Record profits. All while online articles paint this picture that companies are going to be shutting their doors and for drivers to make sure they have a back-up plan. I can speak from personal experience, at least at my company, that is simply not the case. We can’t go a day without getting a load. If we are available for one, we’ve got one. We do make our bread and butter on our dedicated accounts (Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, DSG, etc). I would say being a company driver is probably the best position you can be in right now as it’s going to offer the most stability, especially if it’s at a larger 500+ truck fleet.

I say all of that to say, yes the industry isn’t as good as it was even 3 years ago or pre-COVID but don’t believe everything you read online. It’s not as bad as it may seem.

My Dad drove commercially for 30 years, retired in 2023. He drove mainly for the television and film industry in California but during the off months (hiatus) he drove OTR for a private mom and pop based out of downtown Los Angeles. I grew up watching my Dad drive commercial trucks and semis, many memories of watching a semi pull up in front of my house. Really nice Pete 359 with a reefer or a Cascadia with a dry van. When I turned 19, I got my CDL for the first time in California (2012 - this was back before the laws changed and you were required to have school training. In 2012, you could walk into the DMV, take the permit test, come back two weeks later and take the drive test and then you had your CDL. It was up to you on your own to find a practice/test vehicle.) I drove OTR charter buses and in town charter/shuttles and at 21 yo was hired by my local transit agency in my hometown driving city transit. I did that until 2016 when I left the industry for a while to peruse the airline industry. I loved that just as much as driving buses. COVID basically killed the industry in 2020 and I also lost my Mom. I lost my way for a bit and like so many, really struggled mentally post-COVID and with the loss of my Mom. In 2023, I got back on my feet and decided I wanted to go back to commercial driving but this time, was going all the way. Getting my full Class A with endorsements and start driving tractor/trailer - maybe still drive buses as a side gig on my free time.

I graduated CDL school at the beginning of 2024 and started working for one of the mega’s shortly thereafter (Schneider). Really trying to gain my experience and get time under my belt and Schneider is a great place to do that. It’s what you make of it. Although, I have no desire or plans to leave. At least not right now. I’ve gotten involved in safety and compliance and am looking into joining the training department. My experience with Schneider’s training program was overall very positive. The only issue I had was with my driver trainer I went out with for a week who appeared to be doing it for the extra money and not because they had an interest in training new people. This is where I hope I can make a difference in the future.

I would say returning to this industry and getting my Class A was the single best thing I could have ever done for myself and the reward has definitely been positive. I know everyone’s experience may be different, especially as it pertains to working at a mega but I can’t say enough positive things about my decision to come to Schneider. Yes, I could be making more money. I’m well aware of the pay gap. But I’d rather make a little less money for the sake of being happy to show up to work everyday with good equipment (I drive a still very new 2024 Cascadia) and have a really good driver manager and overall relationship with the entire management team at my base. Working out of a small satellite yard that’s ran by our base is a positive too considering it’s 7 miles from my house (Base is 150 miles away).

The other really cool part is I get to say I followed in my Dad’s footsteps. I really came to this industry because of him. I always heard stories of people who’s parent’s were a police officer, doctor, pilot, lawyer, etc and they went on to do the same thing after watching their parent (Dad) do it. This is my story and I’m so happy I did it. Yes, the industry is in a bit of a struggle right now but I love my job and the old saying is if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, I definitely have plenty of days where I work for my money and definitely have those “gosh I wish I was just at home right now” moments but I wouldn’t trade anything for what I have today. I’m in it for the long haul, no pun intended.

That’s my story. Look forward to reading others.

Seems like there’s a bit missing from this story…. Not to mention doing something to gain the attention of a state trooper. Cell phone use, seat belt, speeding (the likely culprit), even something as simple as an ABS light on. And if they were silly enough to have weed inside the cab of a CMV, they have no business behind the wheel of one anyways. Just my two cents.

Just to add, everything that my Schneider recruiter promised me during hiring and orientation has met or surpassed my expectations. I do OTR all 48 although spend more time western 11. But will venture east as well. I will occasionally help out on dedicated accounts when needed, mainly Target and ****s Sporting Goods. It made me realize not to believe all the negative stuff you read online about some of these mega carriers. A lot of it is just personal grievances due to something happening to that person in particular, likely something they caused, and does not represent the company culture as a whole.

Schneider has been very good to me and I have zero complaints. I would gladly tell anyone who’s looking to get their start in the industry to take advantage of an opportunity with Schneider if they have one.

I would also much rather be at a mega carrier right now who has comfortable dedicated accounts and a vast catalog of customers, as well as a large fleet, given these uncertain times right now.

As far as I know, a major DOT road check is supposed to take place May 13-15. Probably going to see A LOT of trucks and drivers placed out of service after that. Funny how if you have all of your stuff in tip top shape, documents nicely organized, and truck regularly checked for issues, an annual DOT road check isn’t much of a big deal or something to be anxious about. I’m actually eager to get mine done so I can get my inspection sticker and continue rolling along without having to worry about it.

I'm a bit experienced now, but parking, especially finding parking, was quite stressful. I've learned to better plan for parking earlier, rather than later when lots will be filling up or full, has helped a great deal. Sometimes the schedule may not allow or other bumps in the road get in the way and disrupt getting to park earlier, but definitely not as stressful as in the beginning.

Parking is indeed a serious issue. I have created a Google maps list of not only trucks stops that always have parking, but of hotels with parking. You will find that as time goes on, you will find your favorites.

Knowledge is power. Use Trucker Path & google maps to give you layouts and good times for parking.

Is this something you have available publicly? To download and add to Google Maps? I use Trucker Path as well and it’s great but having a 2nd option to look at stuff certainly helps, too. I’ve been at this for a little bit now but my #1 biggest thing I still stress and worry about is where I’m going to park. I’ve helped combat this a lot by just changing my schedule I run. Just start running earlier and parking earlier. Try to be done by 3-4pm. Sometimes this isn’t always an option though and I’ll buy Prime Parking as an absolute last resort if I have to. I usually give up on any Loves after 6pm.

Fellow Schneider driver here who helps out with safety and compliance - unfortunately for you, the termination was justified. You had 4 critical events and an unsafe backing maneuver (in front of the head of safety no less) all while in your first 30 days. - that would be a pretty standard grounds for termination at any company to be honest. You’re on probation for your first 90 days. Schneider tells us that even after training, in those first 90 days, you’re still in your interview process in a way. They’re analyzing your performance to see if you’re a good fit long term before you are let off probation. That’s why that 90 day period exists. 5 safety events within your first month. Schneider deemed you not a good fit. And unfortunately, in this current economy and with freight so down, companies are being way more picky with who they hire and keep since the demand just isn’t there anymore for drivers. Schneider is trying to take only the best right now. A smart practice in my honest opinion.

One of my questions is, surely you were coached on all of these events by your leader. I know for a fact hard braking and roll stability events go directly to your leader for them to review with you. So if it kept happening, you have to look at yourself and figure out why. If they didn’t offer any additional training, did you ask for it? Take accountability and say you wanted extra training to ensure this stopped happening? Especially after the 2nd critical event.

All I can say is, you can try appealing your termination to the appeal board and see what happens. This has to be done within 30 days of your termination though.

Learn from your mistakes while at Western Express. If they want you to be with a team driver, it’s probably for a reason since they can see why you were terminated from Schneider. Just learn from the previous mistakes, don’t be picky, and just do what you have to do. It’s not the end of the world, just a little harder now.

I’m at Schneider and tend to be pretty involved in our safety department. At 3 months, you were still fresh out of training. One of the things they teach all of us is our strict no u-turn policy (with the exception of yards and customers of course - so you are not blind side backing.) And I’m pretty sure this is an industry standard company rule, not unique to just Schneider. I do know this rule is posted up in a lot of our facilities though.

You violated a company rule by making a u-turn and got the truck stuck in the dirt and had to call to be winched out. All while still within your 90 days or just off of it. Your first 90 days are a probationary period and any accident or rules violation, no matter how major or minor, are ground for termination. The termination was justified and it is indeed reportable to the DOT. Paying for the winch yourself doesn’t change the fact that you violated a strict company rule within your first few months of employment.

We have an appeal board to appeal a termination and state your case if you feel you should have been given a second chance. Did you do this? Did you attempt to contact Schneider at all about coming back for additional training and being given that second chance? In my honest opinion, at this point, I think it would be an uphill battle to come back. I always wish the best for everyone though, especially a fellow Schneider brother/sister driver.