I'm Thinking Of Starting With Schneider Tanker Division
Topic 9537 | Page 1
Chad, start by going through our Truck Driver's Career Guide. Because you've settled on a school and a company you could skip through some of it, but then again you might learn something new that changes your career path.
Also, you can read my book Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Trucking which is free for everyone to read online.
I also highly suggest you go through our High Road Training Program before you even set foot in a classroom. In fact, you should speak to the school about it first but it's almost always to your advantage to get your CDL permit and all endorsements before you even begin your schooling. Then you're way ahead of the game.
Here is how our High Road Training breaks down:
To Get Your CDL Permit:
- Rules & Regulations
- Driving Safely
- Transporting Cargo Safely
- Air Brakes
- Combination Vehicles
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- Driving Exam
To get your CDL endorsements which are optional but highly recommend:
- Transporting Passengers
- Doubles And Triples
- Tankers
- Hazardous Materials
Two sections we've built ourselves with info you'll need for everyday life on the road:
- Logbook
- Weight & Balance
Two sections for anyone considering flatbed:
- Cargo Securement
- New York State Coil Endorsement
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Thanks for the information. I've actually gone through about half of the High Road Training Program and should be done in a couple of weeks. I continue on my current job until July 31st and don't start with my CDL school for Schneider until August 24. In the meantime I'll read your book. Thanks for posting it online for free. I've been doing inner city ministry for the past 7 years so anything to save me a few $$$ helps as inner city ministry isn't a high paying profession, at least in dollars and cents. I love this website btw, I've read a few of the postings on the blogs.
I just got back from visiting the Schneider school in Coraopolis and met a few of the instructors. It was nice to get a visual of what the training area looks like.
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.
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I've been accepted to start with Schneider Tanker Division. I will begin by getting my CDL in Butler, PA and then head to Coraopolis, PA (Pittsburgh suburb) to do my training. I'm 51 years old and looking forward to beginning a new career. I loaded trucks during my college years but my father always talked me out of driving plus I figured I'd be married with lots of kids. Life drew me a different hand. Any advice on starting this new adventure. I chose Schneider over Celadon and Con-Way. Due to the nature of my current/previous profession, I gave them a 2 month notice. This has allowed me to court different companies who are interested in hiring someone new to this business. I have family and friends scattered throughout the country and can be on the road for extended periods of time.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.