What Can I Expect?
Topic 18358 | Page 1
Schneider has a 17-day orientation and then you're on your own. It is one of the main reasons I chose to start with them.
Schneiderjobs.com has job listings by zip code. Everything recruiter promised was consistent with the position I applied for from the website. Made $40k first year OTR solo.
Good luck!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Mike, since you have no recent OTR experience you'll be going through training with whatever company hires you if you go with one of the majors. Schneider is an excellent choice. You'll have to see what they'll require as far as training goes. You also have the option of one of the Paid CDL Training Programs. Those companies have their own schools so they'll train you and get you out on the road as quickly as possible.
You will see schools advertising "refresher courses" but do not sign up for one unless a company says that they will hire you upon completion of a refresher course. Each company has different training requirements and different schools they like to work with.
You're going to want to go on the road with a trainer though, anyhow. There's a lot to learn about OTR driving. Even if you can handle the truck just fine it would still be a mess sending you out there without some guidance, at least for a short time.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you guys for the responses so I have a heads up. I am fine with training and will definitely appreciate it. Just was looking for an idea on about how much I'll receive. So Schneider would probably be the better choice in your opinions?
So Schneider would probably be the better choice in your opinions?
Not necessarily. That's really going to depend on your preferences. Any of the major companies that hire inexperienced drivers can be a great place to work, or they can be a nightmare, and part of that depends on whether or not they suit your needs.
How often do you want to get home?
What type of freight do you want to haul?
Do you want to do any physical labor?
You don't have to answer any of these, they're just examples of the type of questions you'll have to answer for yourself to be able to choose the right company. Both Schneider and Prime are great companies and I'd be happy to go to work for either one. But they're quite different in their offerings. So it comes down to what you're looking for.
Here is some great information on choosing the right truck driving job:
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
- Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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So I'm looking to get into trucking soon. I already have my class A for 3 or 4 years now but never really used it other then doing runs for the family farm. So when I apply to companies like prime or Schneider (I'm leaning towards one of these) what kind of training can I expect to receive? Will I have to go through all the training that people with only permits go through or start as the team?