Schneider Training 03/16

Well, as I posted recently I graduated with my CDL and decided to go work with Schneider. So, I know that there are a few posts detailing training but they are a few years old. I figured that I would write about my experience here so far.

Day 1

6:30 am the bus arrives to take all of the students from the hotel to the training facility. When they arrive they call out your name to ensure that you are on the bus. The bus then drives to the facility. You arrive and they tell you to wait in the cafeteria. Within a few minutes an instructor says to follow him and you walk back to the classroom. The first thing you do go to computers to fill out your medical history unless you already have done that. Once everyone has done that they ask everyone to sit in their assigned seats that they have marked with your name. Now is when they introduce everyone to themselves and the rules. One big rule is no cell phones, we are only allowed to have them on for lunch.

Now is when we start filling out all of the paperwork, I won't go into detail it's the standard stuff. As you are filling that out you have instructors come back to take 4 people at a time to have their physicals and pre work screen done. This is all of your basic physical and pre work screens, they actually have videos on youtube showcasing what you have to do. They also get 4 people at a time to get your safety vest and boots if you do not have any boots that have leather uppers and are oil and slip resistant, inwhich they have to say it on your soles. They are only 35 bucks to be deducted off your first check.

Once this is complete you start on your DOT test, no big deal. Lunch is what follows that. At this point is when you have instructors come to "claim" you, you usually have 2 or 3 students per instructor(so amazing compared to school). Every instructor has been pretty awesome, great attitudes, great sense of humors, they have the understanding that you need to have your students calm. After this they took us down to the yard and showed us how to 45 degree alley dock back, then coupling and uncoupling. They are very stressing about making sure that you are safe(nothing wrong with that).

After that you go to the simulators, we are shown how they want us to shift. It's pretty cool, I must say.

The day is ended with watching videos for defensive driving and coupling and uncoupling.

So far, I'm impressed, it was a long 12 hour day, but I feel that they want us to succeed.

Neat- alot of neat things about Schneider. Thanks

Really interested in this thread, I'm just finishing up my CDL School now and I'm pretty sure I'll be going with Schneider. Thanks for posting.

I see you said, "we are shown how they want us to shift.", I thought Schneider had mostly automatic trucks?

Jetguy, thanks for the posting. I'll be following this also. Good luck to you brother.

Code red, no matter what. You still need to learn the basics of shifting. I'm sure you already know this. The simulator helps you in various weathers and hills. WITHOUT a real crash. lol Plus, your truck may break down and you may get a stick until then. Now you're stuck unless you know how to shift correctly. I myself have driven a few auto's in school and fell in love right away. But I still have the basics of double shifting under my belt. Hopefully Jetguy can answer your question better.

I'm starting with Schneider on the 29th of March, so keep the posts coming.

Plus, your truck may break down and you may get a stick until then. Now you're stuck unless you know how to shift correctly.

This is a fact. Had this happen 2 wks ago.

Congratulations S14!

When I had my annual evaluation, I was given the opportunity to order a new pair of boots, no cost to me.

Yes, you'll need to shift. Training is done with 10-speeds and you're likely gonna get one of those when you get your first truck. However, Schneider is going to Automated Manual Transmissions. If you're getting one, they will train you on it before handing you the keys.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Thank you everyone for the replies, today I made the decision that I was no longer going to pursue employment through Schneider, at least at this moment.

Thank you everyone for the replies, today I made the decision that I was no longer going to pursue employment through Schneider, at least at this moment.

You can't leave it at that! What's going on? Why are you dropping Schneider after the first day?

Thank you everyone for the replies, today I made the decision that I was no longer going to pursue employment through Schneider, at least at this moment.

You can't leave it at that! What's going on? Why are you dropping Schneider after the first day?

Well, today I found out that what my recruiter told me about the account that I applied for was incorrect. One example was that it was strictly over night. I was told that I would be starting at between 2 or 3. I know that it might not seem like a big difference but for a local account, I was surely not looking to go all nights. I only found this out because my trainer said that I was supposed to talk to the manager of the location. I called and talked to him and found this out. He seemed like a really great guy and the lead instructor was a really great guy and completely understanding.

They offered me other positions, however it all really rubbed me the wrong way. I thanked him, but respectfully declined. They said that I have an open invitation to come back.

There were a few other little small things that rubbed me the wrong way, but I must say that I grew a lot of respect for the Lead Instructor. I was a manager in a previous life and he was as professional as I have ever dealt with.