Comments By Rev

Thank you kind sir!

It was some fast changes for sure. I was super glad I was on the target account for training. Target parking lots 😅🙏🏼

Wow, that's a lot of potential change in a short amount of time. I'm glad to hear you were able to work it out by staying with Schneider. You always struck me as someone who will fit in the asset column. I'm sure they saw it too, which is why they tweaked the rules a little to keep you there. The ball is back in your court to show them they were correct.

Good luck Jared, and welcome to flatbed.

Happy Sunday, April 18, 2021

Well, it’s been an interesting journey here at Schndeider. A great experience for sure. Here are some updates:

After my week with my TE/mentor driving his Target dedicated account. It was a double drop and hook which at first I had NO IDEA what that was -that changed quick LOL. After a week of two stores each day I can say coupling and uncoupling I’m upgraded from newbie to newbie 2.0 haha.

It was a great week solid trainer. Helped me with a modified 45 setup for real life backing that was “going to come soon”

After that week I got home and made my first phone connection with my first DBL (driver business leader) super nice guy and as we started getting into the “boots on the ground” as I like to call it l, regarding the account I was hired for and it was clear.

Someone (recruiter) didn’t understand the account I was pitched. Basically led to two days of conversation which ended up with me sending a detailed email regarding what I was told, what the job posting said and what the reality for the account from my DBL expectations and I determined there was no way i would have applied for the particular account. Wasn’t going to fit my lifestyle at all. So, I politely quit and had no hard feelings at all.

This ended up with a phone call from my DBL and we talked through some possible options if I wanted to stay at Schneider. Which I did.

Sooooooo.... I was pitched flatbed account. The same account I wanted to apply for but didn’t have the 3-month driving requirement. Low and behold - that was waved if I wanted to give it a shot.

They set me up to do a ride along week before last to get a good look at the job ( Prime Source account ) delivering to Home Depot’s etc flatbed with curtains.

I had a great time and I was like — this fits me perfect. Went to two days of securement training last week. Picked up first truck - it was mess. That’s fine my wife and I cleaned it up proper.

This week I will go out 3 or so with a mentor to get a good feel and I can stir as many days as I want my new DBL said and next week most likely. I will go solo. 😅

I just wanted to give a quick update!

Welcome to the site and the journey into trucking. I’m way to new to add anything but to say.... you’ve come to the right place to get the right advice. Welcome !

Thanks everyone for contributing to this post. As a new solo driver- getting my truck this week. This is so helpful!

Man that sucks - please don’t misunderstand my response. I’m a newbie but I do know - running is not the way to do it. 🙏🏼

Sorry that happened - at the same time. Backing up a truck is hard for new drivers and we don’t get any real training or time under the wheel to have any real skill to do so. Just like when you started.

Though - running someone down to own up to their accident is not right. 🙏🏼

Thanks brotha! Enjoy the journey and Happy Easter!

Glad everything is going great for you. I’m excited to start my new career soon to. Happy Easter!

Hey all!

Well, it’s a wrap. I just got home from my 3 week training journey with Schneider finishing with my 5 days with the training engineer (TE)/mentor. Overall was a great experience out with the TE. Super nice guy and well experienced. Stayed in a hotel nightly-do to the account he is on (target dedicated local) so that worked out.

Schneider flew me last Saturday from Phoenix to Portland and rented me a car to drive to Albany, Oregon.

The real added bonus was- I live only 4 hours away from Albany. My trainer had Tuesday-Wednesdays off so my wife drove down and we spent two days in McMinnville, Oregon in the heart of wine country and had a great break. Weather was upper 60’s it was perfect. Then I headed back out for the last two days of training.

Couple of thoughts:

1. I enjoyed the account I trained on. It was a double drop and hook at both of the stories we went to daily. So I had a chance to do a fair amount of dropping and hooking and small space slow maneuvering to position trailers. Plus driving through packed Target parking lots - whew, that was an experience hahaha

2. Going slow wins the race even though it can frustrate others around you. Let them be frustrated. Go slow in backing, turning, driving (i mean obey the law and all haha) but honestly - I found myself less frustrated when I just slowed down and took my time.

3. My family dynamic and this 3 weeks away from home showed us we are not cut out to be on the road for 3 weeks at time. It was a great discovery process. My wife and I had lots of great talks about this and after being together for 33 years - we still like being around each other ❤️

I’m glad I picked a home on the weekends dedicate account .

4. The trucking truth has been a valuable community to connect with and I am glad I found all of you. I’m here to stay :)

I’m looking forward to hearing from my new direct report and get the next step of this journey going. Haven’t heard from anyone yet but I’m sure it’s normal- it’s the weekend and I going to ask for the a few days off anyways. I’m anticipating what the recruiter told me about the job assignment is correct and there will be no surprises.

Have a great weekend everybody!

As someone who started this journey (5 months ago- I just finished my training with Schneider yesterday) towards a 2nd career and complete change of direction after 25 years.... of course you’re crazy- that’s the good part 🙂

Welcome to the forum - you will find a generous amount of advice and information here and the best part you will me amazing people who truly want to see you succeed. 🎉

Hey all!

Well, it’s a wrap. I just got home from my 3 week training journey with Schneider finishing with my 5 days with the training engineer (TE)/mentor. Overall was a great experience out with the TE. Super nice guy and well experienced. Stayed in a hotel nightly-do to the account he is on (target dedicated local) so that worked out.

Schneider flew me last Saturday from Phoenix to Portland and rented me a car to drive to Albany, Oregon.

The real added bonus was- I live only 4 hours away from Albany. My trainer had Tuesday-Wednesdays off so my wife drove down and we spent two days in McMinnville, Oregon in the heart of wine country and had a great break. Weather was upper 60’s it was perfect. Then I headed back out for the last two days of training.

Couple of thoughts:

1. I enjoyed the account I trained on. It was a double drop and hook at both of the stories we went to daily. So I had a chance to do a fair amount of dropping and hooking and small space slow maneuvering to position trailers. Plus driving through packed Target parking lots - whew, that was an experience hahaha

2. Going slow wins the race even though it can frustrate others around you. Let them be frustrated. Go slow in backing, turning, driving (i mean obey the law and all haha) but honestly - I found myself less frustrated when I just slowed down and took my time.

3. My family dynamic and this 3 weeks away from home showed us we are not cut out to be on the road for 3 weeks at time. It was a great discovery process. My wife and I had lots of great talks about this and after being together for 33 years - we still like being around each other ❤️

I’m glad I picked a home on the weekends dedicate account .

4. The trucking truth has been a valuable community to connect with and I am glad I found all of you. I’m here to stay :)

I’m looking forward to hearing from my new direct report and get the next step of this journey going. Haven’t heard from anyone yet but I’m sure it’s normal- it’s the weekend and I going to ask for the a few days off anyways. I’m anticipating what the recruiter told me about the job assignment is correct and there will be no surprises.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Living the hotel life !

Learning to sleep in a parked truck is novel and is something best enjoyed after you get your truck keys.

Opting for a hotel was the right decision.

Truth. I wouldn't have wanted to sleep in the TE's truck. It was full of his stuff. I enjoyed "moving in" and making the space my own.