Types Of Training For CDL Grads

Hey Everyone,

So I just got my CDL last week, , and now I'm looking for my first driving job. I was originally thinking about Swift or Werner, whose training consists of going on the road with a trainer for a month or two, but Schneider offered me to come to their orientation/training, which is a bit different. Its only three weeks, one week at a training facility, one week of OTR training, and another back at the training facility. It sounds pretty good, but I can't help to wonder: is that going to be sufficient? If anyone has any input on this training method, or has trained with Schneider, I'd love to hear it.

When new people come into trucking there is so much thrown at them and even more to learn. Schneider will not let you drive if they do not think you can. One thing to remember is it does not matter if you had three weeks worth of training or three months worth of training. When first starting out you will still feel like you need more training. You only learn about 2% of what you need to know in school. The other 98% is learned on the road with a trainer or after you go solo in your own truck.

Hey Jamie - congrats on getting your CDL!

Schneider does indeed have the shortest training period I know of. In fact, from the description you've given I think they actually made it a bit longer - I thought it was two weeks, not three.

Really, it comes down to what you prefer. Most people hate being on the road with a trainer. Running team can be a miserable experience, especially if you don't get along well with the trainer you have.

Some people would rather be with a trainer longer to allow themselves time to learn and adjust. Others would rather get out there on their own running solo as soon as possible. So it's really just a matter of preference.

I can assure you one thing though - Schneider is an excellent company and they are as focused on safety as any company you'll find anywhere. So I'm confident their training program is solid. Most of what you'll be learning on the road with a trainer will be things like using the Qualcomm , filling out company-specific paperwork, interacting with dispatch, and things like that. It's not as much about shifting, steering, braking, and backing. Those things you already have an introduction to and you'll get better with practice. So I don't think the shorter training period is any less safe or effective. To me it's more about your comfort level. How soon are you comfortable being on your own? That's probably the biggest question to ask.

But ultimately, you certainly do not want to pick one company over another because of their training. Training is only a very short period of time. Choose the company you feel suits you best. Don't pay any attention to training pay or anything like that.

Brett, The main company in the running for me in my current job search is Watkins & Shepard (Missoula, MT). Their training is 10 days ... no truck time other than a road test, all in class learning the company way of doing things. Then you are on the road solo in the entire lower 48.

I'm a bit apprehensive that I can pass their road test, but pretty sure I can learn fast on the road, hopefully with a mentor program they have.

Their training is 10 days ... no truck time other than a road test, all in class learning the company way of doing things. Then you are on the road solo in the entire lower 48.

Now to be clear, they're saying they wouldn't send you out at all with a trainer on the road? I wouldn't go for that setup if that's the case. There's a lot to learn and if you've never been on the road before you don't want to learn everything the hard way by yourself. Even a week or two can make a world of difference.

Make sure you verify that with them. Taking students straight out of school with no OTR experience and sending them out on their own is crazy in my book. I wouldn't want to see a company do that and I wouldn't want to see a student go through that. It's going to be a bad experience for a while there from the student's perspective.

That's what the recruiter told me, unless I misunderstood her. I've submitted my job app, and expect to be getting a call within a day or two. I'll update you when I confirm the info.

I hope you misunderstood them. I really do. Cause going by what we have heard is dangerous and if it turns out to be true,which I hope its not, do everyone a favor and give some people a call. Not sure that its even legal to send people out in a truck that has zero road experience. But even if its legal I would run away fast if they are not willing to send you out with a trainer OTR for at least a little while.

Think about it. It like going to work for a car manufacturer and learning all the rules and doing the paperwork for that company and then told to go out and build cars for them with no training. Would you really want those cars on the road? I know I would not.

Hey Everyone,

So I just got my CDL last week, , and now I'm looking for my first driving job. I was originally thinking about Swift or Werner, whose training consists of going on the road with a trainer for a month or two, but Schneider offered me to come to their orientation/training, which is a bit different. Its only three weeks, one week at a training facility, one week of OTR training, and another back at the training facility. It sounds pretty good, but I can't help to wonder: is that going to be sufficient? If anyone has any input on this training method, or has trained with Schneider, I'd love to hear it.

Hi Jamie, lam at Schneider right now and after my first day I would recommend this place. They wouldn't put anyone out there that is not ready. Good program. I believe 3 weeks is good. But that is my option.

Well ... I confirmed it with the recruiter. Basically, what you get at Watkins & Shepard is advanced training. Mountain driving, more shifting, running with loads, navigation, scaling, etc., and of course, doing things the company way.

For someone from the west like me, I could run mostly in West, and mostly drop and hook loads. Many drivers choose runs that take them all over the lower 48. Several runs have multiple stops...sort of like LTL , but really dropping for a certain customer (La-Z-Boy).

I've been reading a lot of driver experiences, and most all are positive, in fact I have heard little dissent from anyone. Evidently the instructors are truly top-notch.

So...I have a decision to make tomorrow morning. Some Prayer and sleep on it tonight.

As long as your getting proper training then I say go for it.