SWIFT Or Schneider
Topic 22784 | Page 1
What are your concerns about driving, or at least training in a standard?
I just got done at Trainco, I went through it with Schneider. Three of us failed our maneuvers test for our cdl first time. I just failed again, the other two passed. I’m going back to do it next week, and I’ll be doing the 10 speed. Every truck you practice maneuvers with is manual. I’m sure that’s everywhere. People doing the automatic class still did backing maneuvers with manual trucks. They did get to take the test with an automatic truck though. Maybe you should try to get in better shape before going. I did and I’ll be honest, it was very hard on me still. Everyone else was a twenty something, I was the only one in my fifties. I’ve been retired for seven years so it was culture shock to me. I’d really advise you to get in good condition then you can choose which company you want based on other things not just pre work assessment. I’m sure if you are with a trainer for a week and they don’t think you’re ready, Schneider will not send you out by yourself. You will be ready.
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.
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.
I never drove a manual before Prime...now i dont want the automatic they will soon be putting me in lol
its not a big deal. do they even still train and test on manuals? many companies have stopped.
Rainy asked:
do they (Swift) even still train and test on manuals? many companies have stopped.
As far as I know, yes. Swift is still using 8 or 10sp manual transmission in their school trucks.
Errol...?
For maneuvers I think every school uses manuals. I'm not sure if there's enough old beat up autos for them to use yet.
Most schools still train and test on manuals so you don't have the automatic restriction on your CDL. I assume Schneider requires you to move 100 pounds and do squats so that you can do a Dollar account. At CFI, the only freight I have touched is what I volunteered to help a customer with. The hardest part of my job is cranking landing gear when I have to drop or hook a trailer. I drive an autoshift KW T680 and I love it. I am 51 and not in the best shape. This is the easiest job I have ever had.
Can you duck under here to look and see that your king pin is locked?
That has to be done at least once per day.
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.
Rainy asked:
do they (Swift) even still train and test on manuals? many companies have stopped.
As far as I know, yes. Swift is still using 8 or 10sp manual transmission in their school trucks.
Errol...?
Yup. Still in manual transmissions, still double clutching through the CDL skills & drive tests.
My thinking is they do not want new drivers with an "automatic only" restriction as long as they have so many manual shift trucks.
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.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
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I was going to the Schneider paid CDL school at Trainco but Schneider's pre-work screen seemed too hard. I can barely pull 100lbs (a requirement) but I can do it. I managed to do the required 10 squats today. Nice and easy and slow.
I am going with SWIFT as of now. Someone here said Scheider's one week with a driver trainer after school (driving an automatic) wasn't enough time. SWIFT gives 3-4 weeks of OTR with a driver trainer. I am concered about my ability to shift a 10 speed trans. Looking for any feedback so I can decide what to do.
I'm really studying with the help of the TT's High Road Online CDL Training Program. (It asks some of the same questions in every module.) I spend last night watching a video of coupling and uncoupling and it was fun. I want to do well in this profession. Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.