Profile For Ryan J.

I have recently left Schneider after 5 months of putting up with crap pay, wrong paychecks, terrible dispatch, etc. That is all the experience I have aside from trucking school. Anyways I have a possible offer (pending road test tomorrow and drug screen) from PFG for a local gig shuttling trailers. Its great pay ($900-$1000/wk), home everyday, Friday and Saturdays off. I'm super excited! I can't find much info online about a shuttle driver position, but from what I gathered from our interview there's not much there to complain about. I'm assuming I won't be touching freight day in and day out at restaurants like the route drivers. Seems like a easy gig. Hope it all works out! Does anyone have any input or advice for the road test? I'm not that worried, but I haven't driven in 3 weeks, and have never driven a day cab or automatic, which is what ill be testing on. Also, any PFG or other food service shuttle drivers info would be appreciated! Thanks!

So I've finally finished up CDL school and passed at DPS! Now it's time to get to work and I am having some trouble deciding on exactly which company I want to work for. I have an app in at Schneider for their bulk tanker division but I do have some concerns. I will be somewhat nervous as a rookie driver as it is, but then adding in the surge and other added difficulty pulling a tanker makes me wonder if it will be a right fit coming right out of school. I initially was 100% focused on pulling a tanker with Schneider regionally for a year and then finding local work here in Houston maybe delivering fuel, especially with companies like Dupre or Suncoast. From what I hear these companies pay pretty well and you get a lot more home time.

I am also interested in Averitt Express to start off with and just see where they will take me. Not so much as a "plan" I have with tankers, but from what I read on here about Averitt, it seems to be a pretty solid gig.

Also, do you recommend to start off a truck driving career doing OTR (or regional in my case), or local? There are a couple of local opportunities that I could look at as well. I am not used to being away from the family and girlfriend but I am not too much hung up on that and think that I would be fine. I love the idea of getting to see this beautiful country, and with both Schneider and Averitt it would be weekly home time anyways!

Any input or advice will be appreciated! If anyone has first hand experience with Schneider or Averitt going In as a rookie, please share your experience.

Thanks!