Question:
Ok. here goes.. I went thru training at Schneider National which in my opinion was an excellent training program, at least for me it was.. i had never touched a truck and before i started driving, i was on management at walmart I went thru their training from Dec 03- march 04.. it was fast paced but thourough.. i will outline what i went thru.
1st: basic training
this lasted 11 days.. that is where they taught you basics like logging, the pre trip, shifting, coupling the tractor to the trailer, backing, and city driving.. it was VERY fast paced, and for some people it might have been TOO fast paced.. 11 days is not enough time for everyone to learn how to drive a truck.
2nd jumpstart
this lasted a week.. it was basically a continuation of the 1st 11 days but it was slower paced.. that is where they taught you how to use the qualcomm, rules about hazmat and more driving practice.
3rd: training engineer
this was the over the road part. you actually go out with another driver and he sits in the jumpseat while you drive.. i learned more from this part than any other aspect of my training.. this is where you are actually "doing the job" with a seasoned driver there to help you..
4th: Skills qualification test,
this is both a written and driving test administered by schneider.. it is similar to the CDL test.
5th: CDL week
if you dont have a CDL this is the week you practice for your CDL test.. depending on the state either SNI or the state administers the CDL test..
once you pass your cdl test.. they got more "meat in the seat"!!!
the only followup is called safetrack and it is basically a 30 min ridealong to make sure you have not picked up any bad habits.
THATS IT!!
i admit, the program is a bit rushed but they are trying to get you in a truck as quick as safely possible.. i had a very positive experience but that is not the case for all.. the only downfall is you owe SNI a year of your life driving for them.. if you leave them before then you owe them $$$! of all the COMPANY schools, i believe SNI has the best... if you have any questions email me dieselducy@aol.com . i am not trying to endorse Schneider, i am telling my experience.. believe me i DO have issues with my company!! ill post them elsewhere though hope this is helpful to any potential drivers.
MY 1st year!!
i have been driving for over a year now.. i have been in every state besides montana and alaska... i look at my job as i am basically a paid tourist.. i am driving a truck because I LOVE to travel and it has been my dream since i was a kid. i post photos from my travels at www.dieselducy.com
after being OTR for a year i needed to spend time with my wonderful wife.. i am now on a Georgia pacific dedicated acct out of big island VA as i live in bedford and i now get home about 2 times a week and on the weekend
i made it thru my 1st year with only one preventable which was running over some grass i had a great time being OTR and once my stepson grows up and my wife can come with me, ill probabally go back to van system...http://dieselducy.com
my trucknet blog
the LOVE of MONEY is the ROOT of ALL EVIL!

Answer:
I also did the Schnieder National thing. I took the bulk training.
I also think it is top notch.
Nice thing about the tanker side. We got to do the skid pad. I loved that. I learned more then ever.
When I went to Schneider. I had had a Class A CDL for years. Just no "over the road experiance" So I had to take the training. It was free for me. I had a CDL. They paid me to take it. I was with folks that had never seen the inside of a truck.
Over all, I think they have about the best program out there. Many seasoned drivers would learn a ton. I know I did.
I got OISD certifed. OSHA certified and ISO certified.
I even got to take the wrech clean up for the tankers in PA. I do not know if they still do that or not, but It was a real education.
They took a tanker truck put it on its side and showed the aspects of unloading, containment, and accident containment. I belive this was part of the ISO and enviromental certifications.
The van drivers seemed to go fast. they did like 2 weeks and were out in a truck on the road with a engineer. The van side is not as compicated as the tanks or glass.
I am now a van guy.
I did love my time at Schneider. I wish I had never left. I quit over a stupid thing. They cut the $20 pur hook up. Unless it was at a diff location. It was a big cut.
I could make 2-5 hook ups on small tanks and 15 on small 500 gallon totes at some stops. They changed it to you had to change the location. Other then that. I had and still have no problem with them.
Many drivers with 10 years experiance would learn a ton from the class room training at Schneider.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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Better you then me. That Big Island sucks. To hard to get to and out of.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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That's the way it is everywhere. For all intents and purposes, schools are just to get your CDL.
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big island can be a pain to get in and out of but ill take it for getting home 2 times a week i do miss being OTR sometimes as i am an avid photographer.. check my website for some of my photos...http://dieselducy.com
my trucknet blog
the LOVE of MONEY is the ROOT of ALL EVIL!

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Those are good photos DD! Do you slap on the hiking shoes and blaze some trails when time permits? I did some hiking all over the Cascades last year while running local for a few months.

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you bet i do!!!! like i said, im a PAID TOURIST!!!http://dieselducy.com
my trucknet blog
the LOVE of MONEY is the ROOT of ALL EVIL!

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Drove to Hawaii (Big Island) huh?! How'd the snorkel work out?
Daytrader, that is what you meant by Big Island, isn't it? BOL

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Did SNI put a governer on your posting response speed Diesel Ducey??

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Schneider is probably one of the better places to train beccause their a little more strict on their driving test. Plus they give you some options for driving.

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It doesnt really matter, all big companies are almost all the same

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So, you figure there's no point in listening to what experienced drivers here on Truck.Net have told you about England but you, with absolutely ZERO experience with any aspect of trucking, believe that you're qualified to evaluate all big companies.
The mind farkin' wobbles, guy; you are truly a piece of work.
BTW, you deserve England.