Prime Inc Or Schneider National
Topic 7053 | Page 1
Hi Spencer. The search box on this website is fantastic - I just typed in "questions to ask a recruiter," and came up with this. It was the thread I thought of after reading your post. I remember reading it months ago.
List of Questions To Ask A Recruiter
You can do well at Prime or Schneider. Only you can determine if they meet your own needs and wants. If you haven't done so already, start reading this material. What kind of freight do you want to haul, is hometime important, do you want regional , OTR , or local?
Educate yourself with the resources on this website. Drivers are here to help, but you need to educate yourself in order to even know what question you should be asking for yourself.
Best wishes!
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
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.
Hey Spencer....6 string rhythm really nailed it. He gave you the exact same links to the information that I was going to give you. Make sure you go through it thoroughly. You'll find tons of information.
I'll give you some specific differences between the two companies to be aware of.
The biggest difference between the two companies is the type of freight they haul and the amount of home time you can get. Prime is primarily refrigerated, but they also have flatbed and food grade tanker opportunities. Schneider is primarily dry van with flatbed and chemical/bulk tanker opportunities. So both companies have a variety of options to choose from, especially once you get some experience.
Now for me......the decision between the two might come down to pay and home time. I don't know what Schneider is paying right now but I think it's pretty solid. Prime on the other hand has one of the top pay packages in the country for new drivers. So that's going to matter.
When it comes to home time, chances are Schneider can get you home more often than Prime but look into that because living in MA is a bit of a wild card. Some companies run up there a ton, others not so much. Prime won't get you home any more than about a few days a month. Dry van companies tend to have a lot more regional freight that can get you home more often.
Then again maybe you don't care about home time but you'd love to live on the road and see as much of the country as possible. In that case, Prime is likely better. Refrigerated companies have the largest percentage of coast to coast freight of any type of freight out there. So if you're wanting to run coast to coast (at least once in a while anyhow) then your chances are much better with Prime.
Both companies are excellent companies and I personally wouldn't hesitate to sign on with either one. It just comes down to choosing the company that matches what you're looking for the best.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.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.
Hey Spencer....6 string rhythm really nailed it. He gave you the exact same links to the information that I was going to give you. Make sure you go through it thoroughly. You'll find tons of information.
I'll give you some specific differences between the two companies to be aware of.
The biggest difference between the two companies is the type of freight they haul and the amount of home time you can get. Prime is primarily refrigerated, but they also have flatbed and food grade tanker opportunities. Schneider is primarily dry van with flatbed and chemical/bulk tanker opportunities. So both companies have a variety of options to choose from, especially once you get some experience.
Now for me......the decision between the two might come down to pay and home time. I don't know what Schneider is paying right now but I think it's pretty solid. Prime on the other hand has one of the top pay packages in the country for new drivers. So that's going to matter.
When it comes to home time, chances are Schneider can get you home more often than Prime but look into that because living in MA is a bit of a wild card. Some companies run up there a ton, others not so much. Prime won't get you home any more than about a few days a month. Dry van companies tend to have a lot more regional freight that can get you home more often.
Then again maybe you don't care about home time but you'd love to live on the road and see as much of the country as possible. In that case, Prime is likely better. Refrigerated companies have the largest percentage of coast to coast freight of any type of freight out there. So if you're wanting to run coast to coast (at least once in a while anyhow) then your chances are much better with Prime.
Both companies are excellent companies and I personally wouldn't hesitate to sign on with either one. It just comes down to choosing the company that matches what you're looking for the best.
I am about to start driving with Schneider OTR dry van. I really hope I get to see the west coast too. They told me they cover all 48 states.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.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 just met with a Schneider rep and was pretty impressed. Just to add to what Brett offered Schneiders pay scale is as follows for new drivers:
.34/mile + .02 bonus .36/mile + .02 bonus after 3 months .38/mile + .02 bonus after 6 months .40/mile + .02 bonus at 1 year
The bonus comes with no tickets, accidents, or pionts. Hope this helps. I live about 20 minutes from their headquarters in Edwardsville IL and they're having an open house this weekend so I'm going to stop by. I'll get as much info as I can and get feel for their company. So I might have some more info for you.
I just met with a Schneider rep and was pretty impressed. Just to add to what Brett offered Schneiders pay scale is as follows for new drivers:
.34/mile + .02 bonus .36/mile + .02 bonus after 3 months .38/mile + .02 bonus after 6 months .40/mile + .02 bonus at 1 year
The bonus comes with no tickets, accidents, or pionts. Hope this helps. I live about 20 minutes from their headquarters in Edwardsville IL and they're having an open house this weekend so I'm going to stop by. I'll get as much info as I can and get feel for their company. So I might have some more info for you.
Any word on Schneider? I'm in limbo right now for tanker or flatbed with Schneider or TMC. I've got a week left before grad CDL school. I'm looking for the pay and good home time balance.
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.
I've been driving for Schneider since January. Everything they promised they have delivered.
I did the High Road Training Program for my permit then went to private school and straight to Schneider.
Here are the main reasons I love Schneider;
- Operating Centers around the country-this means if I'm gonna be in one of those areas I can park, get service, do laundry (free) and shower. Some have cafeterias as well, but you pay for that.
- 24/7 support via phone
- They keep me moving. E.g. I average 30,000 miles per quarter.
- I live in Florida and have been to Maine, Wisconsin, Denver, Laredo and points in between.
- I get five days off per month.
No doubt Prime and other companies are very good, but these are just a few reasons I enjoy driving a pumpkin truck.
Good luck.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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Okay so originally I got approved for going to Prime Inc for my cdl A for school then I inherited money . So im doing school where I live (Massachusetts) now that I'm in school I have still been accepted to go drive for Prime I've also been approved for Schneider National. They both offer good stuff I'm looking for experienced drivers to give me some info on these company's. Like what questions do I ask. Like one and for most pros and cons second why prime or why scheider and does prime do raises. Or does schneider. How does it work? Any info will help I hope this makes since I feel stupid for asking .
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: