Comments By Nick

I came to Schneider in WA state and was hired to OTR with no experience so I don’t believe that to be accurate. I’m rolling solo now, based out of WA state. There may be something else going on there but they definitely hire new drivers into OTR based out of WA. Best decision I ever made to get my career started.

My company does a pre-employment hair test and I did extensive research online before my first day. I even posted on here and Kearsey offered me some advice as she has with you. Listen to her. Wait one year minimum before taking the hair test. I actually waited over one year, one year and 2 months to be exact so I really had no worries. And in the end, there was no issue and my career is off to a great start.

Not sure if your career is over before it has started since you’ve already failed a hair test. This was why I did my research before my first day. I would have rather pushed out my orientation, which was an option, instead of risking it. I’m glad I waited the one year and 2 months. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

As a new driver for Schneider, I wanted to add my two cents since it was mentioned a few times. I would not be quick to pass on an opportunity with Schneider. They have been nothing but great to me so far. Yes, the training is rather short. 3 weeks total, 2 at the academy and 1 week out with a trainer. To be honest, I couldn’t have handled anymore than 1 week with a trainer OTR. It got to be a bit much by the 6th day. I came into it with CDL experience so I took to everything very quickly and I’m naturally just a fast learner at things I have a passion for. I came into this industry because I wanted to, not because I felt like I needed to and Schneider has provided me a great opportunity and laid the groundwork to get my first year in. I personally would put Schneider well above Swift. There’s plenty online and talk at truck stops about Swift and the kind of reputation they have. I’m not here to bash any company though so I’ll leave it at that.

You will learn WAY more in your first week solo than you will in those 3 weeks of training. Nothing beats true on the job experience and with no one hand holding you along, you have to figure it all out on your own. I’m a better driver today than I was 7 days ago and 7 days before that.

I really am having a great time with Schneider. And the work is constant. There’s always been another load for me lined up before I drop my current one. As long as you want to, they’ll keep you moving. I was also assigned a brand new 2025 Freightliner Cascadia, so that helps, too. Fresh out of training into a brand new tractor isn’t usually the case so I’m very grateful. It still smells like a new car in here! But the equipment here is well maintained and there’s tons of resources for you to use. Your DTLs (driver team leader, basically your “boss”) are your main point of contact and I couldn’t say enough positive things about mine.

Bottom line, I’m very happy with Schneider. Yes, I’m not making big bucks but that’s okay right now. I’m gaining my initial experience right now. I’m making decent money for my means of living right now. After I get my first year in here, I can start looking at other opportunities. Or, I don’t have to. Some people go to a company with the intention of it only being 1 year and end up staying for 20 years. It all just depends. Everyone is gonna feel differently based on their personal experience and I may even get some people who read this and think I’m crazy but if Schneider gets back to you with an offer, don’t pass it up. I’m glad I didn’t.

Congratulations! I’ve been a silent follower of your story on here but very happy to see you made it! We follow similar paths. I just finished my first 34 hour reset of my career after a great first week solo! I recently went and picked up my truck as well, a brand new 2025 FL Cascadia.

I think you’ve probably figured out by now as well as I have that the real training comes in these first few weeks solo. I’ve learned a lot more solo than I did with trainers. The trainers laid great ground work and gave you the base fundamentals to make you successful but you really just have to go out there and do it on your own.

Keep up the good work and stay safe out there!

Awesome! Thank you so far for some of the replies! Some of those apps the company is having us install on our company issued tablets, like the Weigh My Truck app for the CAT scales, which we will add our company issued driver card to so we can pay for the scales.

I think it was the Loves app actually I was referring to that lets you reserve a shower, see parking availability, fuel pump availability, etc. I think our company usually prefers Flying J or Pilot for fueling but I think that if Loves was an option, that’s fine too especially if they have that app drivers can use. So I’ll definitely have to get that one. So far these are all great suggestions and exactly what I was hoping for. Just overall stuff to make our lives on the road while working a little easier.

Hello there,

I’ve just completed my first week of training for one of the major OTR and dedicated carriers here in the US and will be getting released solo very soon for OTR. So far, the first week went great and I’m very much so looking forward to getting out there and putting in some miles and making money!

I was wondering what tech and apps some of you experienced drivers have found helps you the most while out on the road. Like, I think Flying J or maybe Pilot has an app you can download (Android or iPhone) that lets you see different things for the stop you’re at (shower availability, fuel pumps, services, etc.) Stuff like that. What have you found to be the most useful apps you use daily to help with your job? What apps should I be downloading right now to help make my job as an OTR driver easier or just better?

Same thing for tech I suppose. Is there any cool new tech I should invest in? Thanks!

I would imagine you are good. But also be aware, how long you used, your weight and your metabolism have a lot to do with how the body processes and absorbs drugs/medications.

If you smoked for 15 years... it would take much longer than a short term user. Hence why we usually say a year. Good luck

I appreciate the response! I think I’m good, too but it’s just that peace of mind type of thing. Thanks again!

Hello,

I posted about this a few days ago and I think I’ve got it figured out but I really just want to make sure before orientation and the hair follicle test is performed. Basically, the company I got hired at performs a hair follicle drug test (which seems to be pretty standard now) in addition to the urine test. My question is, what is an appropriate amount of time to wait before having a hair follicle test done if you used to smoke/vape marijuana and you’re coming from a state where it is legal? At the time the test will be performed, I will be clean and sober from marijuana for 1 year and 2 months. (Last use was May 2023) I’ve been reading to wait at least 9 months to 1 year and that the test doesn’t really go past 90 days. But to play it safe, wait a year, which I have already done. Bottom line, do you think I’m good and I don’t need to worry about it?

Thanks.

Hi there,

This is my first post on the forum! I recently graduated from CDL school and just accepted a job offer from Schneider which will start middle of July 2024 - next month. I came across this thread while doing some research about the hair follicle test they will perform and I have some questions that I think some of you experts may be able to answer.

Prior to getting my CDL, I was a pretty regular user of marijuana and smoked (vaped actually) daily. I was a heavy user. At the time, I was in a position where I could. I also live in a state where it’s legal - not that this matters for DOT purposes however.

I got sober on May 8th, 2023 and have been sober ever since. May 8th was the last time I ever used any cannabis. I have also had no other drugs or alcohol in my system since. I am 100% sober and did this knowing at the time a few months later I would be getting my CDL and eventually a job. Well, that time has come with the opportunity Schneider has offered me.

My question is, as of writing this post, it has been over one year since I’ve used anything, 404 days to be exact, and when I have my first day of orientation with Schneider, it will be just over 1 year and two months, about 434 days. I probably have nothing to worry about with it being that long ago now but of course, my curiosity is peaked, especially after seeing the OPs post and some of the reply’s. The last thing I want is for anything to happen - again even though I don’t think it would at this point.

How long does marijuana/cannabis use from a regular, daily user stay in for a hair follicle test? How far back does the Schneider hair follicle test go? A lot of what I’m seeing suggests it goes back as far as 90 days, with the urine sample testing for any drugs currently in your system. If it makes any difference, I have fairly long hair - down past the bridge of my nose. Based on all of this information, do I need to worry, even a year and two months AFTER the last time I ever used anything? I appreciate any replies!

Nick