Schneider Orientation - Charlotte, NC

BTW, Knight has a dedicated opening for a container driver from Las Vegas NV to Long Beach CA and back again. I'm thinking ifin' it was scheduled just right, it might not be all that bad. Keep in mind, the only real experience I have down there is going to meet the charter boats to go fishing at 4:00 - 5:00 AM. Run it through the ole Errol computer and let me know what you think...LOL!

Thanks, JJ

Just think: Xyzzyx Rd will be a landmark in your daily routine - twice a day.

That will take up your 11 hours daily for sure.

Here's your special shortcut: on holidays when 15 is plugged with Vegas party buses, cut off at Barstow on Cal-58 to Mojave. Then Cal-14 over the hill to San Fernando. (It works both ways.) It's way longer, but at least you'll feel like you're going somewhere, not parked on I-15 near Stoddard Wells Rd.

Gotcha, I've also done the old route 66 thing between Barstow and Victorville to avoid the mess on the 15 between there. Most people have forgotten about it but sometimes it pays to be and old desert rat. LOL!

Thanks, JJ

Day 13-14: Had the weekend off.

Day 15: Class started at 7:00 am. Today was spent learning about the Qualcomm platform. Finished around 4:30 pm.

Day 16: Class started at 7:00 am. Spent the day planning and driving a simulated delivery around Charlotte. This was to test your ability to use the Qualcomm system to receive, plan and deliver a load to a destination. You were given problems along the way to solve. The idea was to challenge you with real world situations that come up while delivering a load. Finished the day practicing backing. Finished around 4:00 pm.

Day 17: Class started at 7:00 am. Spent most of the day learning more about the Qualcomm system. It is pretty complicated system and makes your head hurt trying to remember all the things you need to accept, plan and deliver a load. Finished around 4:00 pm.

Day 18: Class started at 7:00 am. The morning was a series of briefings from the head of safety, the service manager and the Charlotte Operating Center director. We also got to meet our DBL (Direct Business Leader). The DBL is our point of contact at Schneider and the one we work with to get loads and time off. Just prior to noon we were each assigned our trucks. The afternoon was spent in our trucks checking them out. Out of our class of nine, four ended up with automatics. I was the only one to get one with a forward facing camera.

Day 19: Class started at 8:00 am. We received a briefing on what to expect next week when we receive our first load. Bill the head of the DBL's told us he would be assisting us through our first three loads. We are to contact him so he can help coach us through our first few loads.

We all received our graduation certificates and were done with the orientation except for the four of us that received automatic transmissions. We had to attend a four hour course on driving an automatic. This encompussed classroom training and driving the truck around Charlotte.

I have mixed emotions about driving an automatic. While the truck is brand new and drives relatively easy, I still feel nostalgic for the 10 speed.

Well, that was my three week orientation at Schneider. I had a great time and met some outstanding instructors and great classmates.

It's hard to believe its been six months since I started this new quest to become a truck driver. I want to thank Brett for hosting TruckingTruth. The information provided on this website helped me select a CDL school, pass my CDL exam and find a company to drive for. I also want to thank those on the website who provide invaluable information and wisdom to me.

I'll check in from time to time and I'll keep up on the discussions. Safe travels to everyone.

Hawkeye

Thanks for the thread Hawkeye. I am scheduled for orientation at Schneider in Phoenix on May 17th after school, this helps me out a lot on what to expect. Congrats and good luck.

Hawkeye-

Are you still out there and running w/ Schneider? I'm in Manassas and fallowed a similar path as you only I went w/ Werner. I can't recommend them, but I was wondering if you are still happy w/ Schneider? Were they honest w/ you? I'm thinking of joining their Gordonsville Wal-Mart contract.

thanks, steve