Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Maverick trucking auto transmission
I drive for maverick and before that I took the CDL test in an automatic truck no clutch at all and have no such restriction on my license in the state of Illinois about only driving an automatic equipped truck
Randy... sent you a private message regarding this... I am from Illinois as well. Where did you go for your CDL that used automatic transmission trucks to teach and test in?
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Advice for a newbie on how to shift
Oops, my bad. I meant 45 degree back up not turn on the skills course. And to clarify- today was my 2nd day behind the wheel and it kinda sucked. but tomorrow is a new day.
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
View Topic:
Advice for a newbie on how to shift
A little about me: Got a WIA grant and used it to go to a community college CDL 4 week program. Started it last Monday. Never stepped foot in a truck before, never drove stick always auto, never backed anything up with a trailer attached, and not knowledgeable about cars or engines. I am a career changer coming from health care. I was totally new this and had no background knowledge about driving or operating a truck. On the otherhand, I have a clean driving record and am used to driving distances when I had to visit patients in rural areas.
Last Friday, I got my permit and really did well on the tests. The training materials on here were awesome and I wished I used them before I started school. I was always a book worm, and I knew that the test wouldn't be the challenge for me. The hard part is getting comfortable with being behind the wheel. My class has guys in different phases of the program. Last week when I started, there were 2 other guys starting too. My class consists of military guys, mechanics, farmers, and union guys. All have experience with trucks and many have driven them before. Most of the guys are just "going through the motions" so that they can drive legal with the CDL endorsement on their license. I stuck out like a sore thumb.
Anyways, my first day driving was bad. I was nervous, but I kept my expectations low because I am new to this. But, as I watched everyone ace the skills course, including the 2 guys that started the class with me, my nerves took over. It wasn't easy driving (I use that word lightly cuz my engine kept cutting out) with folks watching me. I was really nervous and embarrassed and I just kept getting more and more frustrated. The instructors have been really understanding and awesome, but I am worried and stressed out that I am not keeping up with the class, particularly with the guys I started with.
End of Day 2: I didn't hit any cones. I can turn well. And drive around the lot in circles too! LOL I just can't get the hang of shifting and reversing. And the 45 degree turns has me stumped. And I get so frustrated, I don't reverse all together because I just lose all coordination. I also feel kinda dumb because while all these guys have truck parts nailed down, I am still learning the basic parts of the truck and the proper use of the clutch vs the brakes- I have been told that I am very heavy footed on the brake pedal. The other guys in the class have been really cool, but yeah I really don't want to be "that" dude who falls way behind and annoys the instructors.
Any advice would be appreciated. I know that a lot of this is in my head. I am feeling totally uncoordinated behind the wheel. And in my mind I have an idea of what needs to be done, but trying to actually implement it is another story. I know I want to be a trucker. I have thought long and hard about it for over a year now. Did my research and read the forums on here and on other sites. I am gonna make this happen, but I dont want to have a heart attack before I do so LOL. Thanks for listening to my rant.
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Just passed my CDL pre trip and driving test
Congrats! I hope to be saying the same thing in a couple of weeks!
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Schneider Income potential for new drivers and budgeting tips for newbies.
I would definitely appreciate that! Thanks! Do you know if they send drivers out to the West Coast or is it basically East of the Mississippi? I meet the area SNI recruiter next month when he sits down with us 1 on 1, but when it comes to budgets and $$$ or the lack of, I rather be ready and have more time to figure things out.I spoke with an SNL recruiter today about starting on the Regional Vans. Their "region" is basically the eastern half of the US South of I-80. Not much into NYC or Boston. (Break my hillbilly heart ;-)) Anything west of the states bordering the Mississippi require teams.
It may be different with tanks but I doubt it. Running to the west coast is a 4 or 5 day run at best for a single.
Thanks for the info! LOL I am a city boy myself.. and I wouldn't want to drive through NYC or the NE for that matter in an 18 wheeler. Maybe in a prius LOL.
Have you decided who to drive for?
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Schneider Income potential for new drivers and budgeting tips for newbies.
Hi, well my interview was short it seems i am to far from Savannah. i was told i would need to be less than 100 miles and i am 300. things change, it might be the time of year. I told them i would check back in a couple of months. good luck in what ever you choose.
Oh that sucks! Don't they have intermodal over there? Have you started with Schneider? Or have you gone with another company?
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
View Topic:
Schneider Income potential for new drivers and budgeting tips for newbies.
EvanstonMark, this is a tough question to answer because much of your income will depend not on Schneider, but on your performance. I will say that Schneider tanker jobs pay very well, and if you prove to be a good steady driver there's no reason why you can't make 40,000+ dollars your first year. Realize though that there is a huge learning curve that you will be going through. Schneider's training is awesome, and they will do every thing they can to get you off to a great start. They know how to produce good results. Once they turn you loose you will encounter all the many difficulties that any rookie driver squares up against. It's not so much the difficulties that cause the problems for new drivers as it is the way the face them. You will understand all of what I'm saying more clearly about three or four months into your first solo months.
One of the best things a new driver can do for himself is have a little savings set aside just in case he needs it. I realize this isn't always possible for everyone, but it sure helps ease the stress if you have regular obligations to take care of. One of the problems with getting your feet wet in this industry is the fact that you haven't yet really established yourself as a strong driver yet, so your dispatcher hasn't gotten a feel for what you can do. Therefore your paychecks may be very inconsistent for a few months. Once you've kind of proven yourself with always being on time, not getting yourself too far out of route, and not being the type of driver who generally needs to be babysat by dispatch, then you can start expecting them to trust you with longer runs or runs with more critical time lines. Switching from an hourly or a salary based pay scale to a performance based pay system is difficult for some folks. I love it - when I know that the more I get done the more I'm going to earn, I'm going to produce more than you will ever believe I could. I've always been paid by performance so I fell right into this career like a duck getting in the water.
Thanks Old School. I am definitely looking forward to meeting with the Schneider recruiter when he/she swings by my school. The one other company I am definitely interested in is Roehl. I've heard that they tend to be more regional and that miles with them are on the lower side? But people say that their training is top notch too... All these choices... It is such a welcomed change....
Stay safe out there!
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
View Topic:
Schneider Income potential for new drivers and budgeting tips for newbies.
I'm going to Schneider Dec. 30th. Tanker isn't available in my area, but I'll give you what I know and have learned.
My position supposedly averages 2,500-2,800 miles per week. Two rookie Schneider Drivers stopped by our first week of school. They were both less than six months as solo and both said they were averaging 2,000 miles per week. Both had equipment issues requiring replacement trucks, but both felt Schneider had delivered everything promised. Heck one guy had a rental car provided so he could leave his truck at the shop and go pick up a new truck AND Schneider paid him for his driving time (flat rate, not cents per mile) to go get the new truck.
3 of my school trainers had worked for Schneider (2 of them retired after 30+ years) and they all spoke very highly of Schneider. The one that had the least time with them said if he hadn't gone blind in one eye, he'd still be with them. They told me the training at Schneider is great and to expect to do all the driving during those weeks.
When the field recruiter showed up at school, everything he said was consistent with what the phone recruiter had quoted me.
As for budgeting, I'm planning on needing two months of expenses. Just because the pay is low during training and there will be something I have to buy that I didn't expect.
I'm jealous you'll have the opportunity to go tanker. I got my hazmat and tanker endorsements but not available here.
Good luck!
Congrats on starting with them! How is it going so far? I just started CDL training yesterday. Thanks for the info. The more I read about it, Schneider National seems to be a good place to work. What division are you going to be driving for? I definitely am still interested in tankers, but possibly Intermodal later on when i am ready for some home time. Keep us posted on how things are going in orientation. It must be half way over by now! I am interested in hearing how your time on the road with a trainer is goin.....
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Companies that go 48 and Canada
Just started CDL training yesterday and already companies are coming in to recruit us. It's really nice to actually have companies come to you vs having to compete for a job. Definitely a welcomed change! I know I made the right decision.
I was wondering if there are any recommendations for companies that hire new drivers who want to see all 48 states and Canada. I kinda figured if I am going to spend a year driving for a company to gain experience, I want to learn as much as I can and see as much as I can. I noticed that a lot of the companies swinging by here to recruit are more regional and local, which is cool but for where I am in my life it would be great to hit the road for awhile.
Thanks! and stay safe out there!
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Can I make a suggestion for the forum?
A like button would be nice sometimes you agree with a comment but have nothing constructive to add.