Undecided

Hi All, I'm new to this website, I'm not a truck driver as of yet but I'm about 99.9% sure this is the route I would like take. I been doing some research on different companies. I live in southern Wisconsin and I'm really confused on what company to work for. I can't afford to pay for my own school so I'm more than likely to take a company who will pay for my school and sign a deal that I continue to work for them for 12-18 months or so. Anyway, My big question is, In everyone's opinion, what company should I go for? I've look at Schneider, They offer a dedicated Walmart account to new cdl holders, and they also have a Miller Coors dedicated account as well. I looked at some other companies but they don't advertise what they have to offer like Schneider does. Any advice is appreciated, thank you guys!!

Hi All, I'm new to this website, I'm not a truck driver as of yet but I'm about 99.9% sure this is the route I would like take. I been doing some research on different companies. I live in southern Wisconsin and I'm really confused on what company to work for. I can't afford to pay for my own school so I'm more than likely to take a company who will pay for my school and sign a deal that I continue to work for them for 12-18 months or so. Anyway, My big question is, In everyone's opinion, what company should I go for? I've look at Schneider, They offer a dedicated Walmart account to new cdl holders, and they also have a Miller Coors dedicated account as well. I looked at some other companies but they don't advertise what they have to offer like Schneider does. Any advice is appreciated, thank you guys!!

Schneider would be a great choice considering where you live because their HQ is in Green Bay.

We've got all the beer loads you can handle at Millis.

Welcome to the forum!

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• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
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Walmart Dedicated is very difficult immediately following road-training. Unless of course, you're actually trained on the account for several weeks by a Walmart Dedicated driver. It's a possibility, but I'd ask Schneider.

Check out a diary written by Danielsahn...he mentored with a Swift Walmart driver for 200 hours and was hired full time for the Johnstown NY DC once he tested out. He is doing fine,...but the account specific training enabled his success and reduced his learning curve while solo.

Good luck.

Something to consider is that many beer distributors are in tiny small residential areas. They can be hard and tight for newbies. I often back through buildings to the docks or across high traffic streets with cars flying around to get in a beer door. Beer loads are also maxed out and extremely heavy meaning you are downshifting a lot when climbing grades. This can be hard and frustrating for a newbie. Plus, you need to know how much fuel your truck should be set at when going in. If i go in full, Im over the 80,000 pounds. At 3/4 im good to roll. Its stuff a rookie can screw up.

check out this link

Paid CDL Training Programs

And I have to put in my plug for CFI. With zero experience, they trained me and I have been solo now for about 6-7 months. I am still loving this lifestyle. Here's a link to My CFI training diary. Good luck.

Welcome to the forum!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Walmart Dedicated is very difficult immediately following road-training. Unless of course, you're actually trained on the account for several weeks by a Walmart Dedicated driver. It's a possibility, but I'd ask Schneider.

Check out a diary written by Danielsahn...he mentored with a Swift Walmart driver for 200 hours and was hired full time for the Johnstown NY DC once he tested out. He is doing fine,...but the account specific training enabled his success and reduced his learning curve while solo.

Good luck.

My experience running dedicated Walmart for Schneider is that it’s pretty easy. Not like Dollar General or Family Dollar. You may have to supervise the unloading but not do it. The only difficulty I had with it was in West Virginia where it was lots of backroads in the mountains. Other than that, easy least.

Steve wrote:

My experience running dedicated Walmart for Schneider is that it’s pretty easy.

Were you right out of training when you ran Walmart?

Compared to Dollar ? Yes, easier. Otherwise I respectfully disagree...especially if running an urban territory like I do. Be it Schneider, Swift, Prime the operation is basically the same.

Overall I do not recommend Walmart Dedicated without the benefit of two-three months experience...unless (like I said) trained from the beginning on the account.

Granted running in the NorthEast has a higher degree of difficulty...I've seen a few handle it well from day 1, right off their mentor's truck. Most cannot and struggle mightily. I see this played out every week as new drivers come and go...

Welcome to the forum!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Walmart Dedicated is very difficult immediately following road-training. Unless of course, you're actually trained on the account for several weeks by a Walmart Dedicated driver. It's a possibility, but I'd ask Schneider.

Check out a diary written by Danielsahn...he mentored with a Swift Walmart driver for 200 hours and was hired full time for the Johnstown NY DC once he tested out. He is doing fine,...but the account specific training enabled his success and reduced his learning curve while solo.

Good luck.

Thanks Gtown....

I love this account, but I really dislike the Norwalk, CT store. It nearly done me in. But I think, that if I were trained otr , and then thrown onto this account, I would be sinking fast. The backing alone would have done me in, on top of learning to manage my clock, and the bubble around my truck when in congested city traffic. But, again, nothing beats being a professional "Sticker Collector," I mean, Driver.

And welcome to TT, you will learn a lot here. Never be afraid to ask whatever questions you have.

Steve wrote:

My experience running dedicated Walmart for Schneider is that it’s pretty easy.

Were you right out of training when you ran Walmart?

Compared to Dollar ? Yes, easier. Otherwise I respectfully disagree...especially if running an urban territory like I do. Be it Schneider, Swift, Prime the operation is basically the same.

Overall I do not recommend Walmart Dedicated without the benefit of two-three months experience...unless (like I said) trained from the beginning on the account.

Granted running in the NorthEast has a higher degree of difficulty...I've seen a few handle it well from day 1, right off their mentor's truck. Most cannot and struggle mightily. I see this played out every week as new drivers come and go...

Okay, if you’re saying 2-3months experience is not “right out of training,” then no, I wasn’t. However, Schneider does hire and train people for their Walmart dedicated accounts. And,knowing what I know now, it’s not a bad gig at some locations.

I’m not trying to criticize your advice, just giving my experience in hopes the OP will make the best decision for him.

There’s a big difference between Schneider Walmart dedicated and some others.