Question:
I sent my application in to Schneider trucking. I am just trying to get into the trucking industry and don't have a CDL license.
When the Schneider recruiter called I was all set to start the school. They told me I would have to spend 150.00 to reserve a seat in the class.
I don't trust any company that wants me to work for them but asks me for money. Maybe I'm being paranoid. I don't know.
She said that the 150 was non-refundable and there was no guarantee that I would pass the interview!
So I would be paying 150 just for the chance of a job. I don't have that kind of money to risk.
Has anyone else here gone through the Schneider course? Is this a scam of some sort?
Is there a better company to apply to that will train you and help you get your CDL?

Answer:
Dont even consider sending the $150.00. Run, dont walk, away from this deal.
You dont list where you live, but the easiest and cheapest way to go to school is through a community college. Check around and find out if there is a community college near you that has a truck driving school. I know right here in the Shenandoah Valley, we have Blue Ridge Community College that has a driver's school. I believe the cost is around $2500.00. Finanicial assistance is also available. Dont get "hooked" on being in debt to a carrier.

Answer:
Before you get your knickers in a bunch about the $150, you may want to ask what it's for. Maybe it's to cover the cost of physicals, DMV search, credit report, etc.
I'm guessing, based on experience, that's what the $150 is for.
Nothing in life is free, though it may be inexpensive. BOL

Answer:
You would have your interview first then if you get accepted then they ask to send them 150 dollars for seat reservation for there schooling. And it does cover your expenses for drug and dot physical. Keep in mind if you go to school anywhere you have to pay so either pay 150 dollars and stay for one year or pay 2500 dollars and up and go to different companies that will hire you.

Answer:
Im also trying to get in with Schneider. I had a problem with my phyical & am having to go through a sleep study because I snore loud.
I was told that I could get my seat fee back if I could start class a week earlier than I had planed. & I have heard of others that got there seat fee back also.
For alot of good info on Schneider go to www.pumpkindriver.com
Good luck.
Ted

Answer:
I was told the same thing about getting the Seat Fee back if I started earlier in Feb. Since I couldn't do it for other obligations I will have to eat up the 150 dollars but at least they attempted to try to give my money back.

Answer:
Ok, Schneider is one of the better training companies out there along with USXpress and Roehl. I would recommend any of these three. One if you want to start earning a living in say 2 to 3 weeks then yes they are the best. Community Colleges are nice but you will need to take the course lasting 6 to 10 weeks but are the cheapest though many may not be recognized by some of the major companies that hire out of schools.
The $150 dollars is simply to hold your seat and the price it takes to do background checks, DACs, and do your physical and drug test. The beauty of it is when you go to the Training Center at Schneider you have all the background stuff done and you know that unless you are an uncoordinated goof you will not be sent home. When you are hired then the remainder of the $150 is put towards your money owed for training.
I went Schneider and never regreted it, though I left before the year was up, I had a company that I drive for now due a tuition reimbursement and paid it off. Schneider trainers are some of the best in the business, many companies that hire out of school like Schneider trained drivers because Schneider drills the Smith System into you and you live by it until you are assigned your own truck and hopefully will continue. They like it cause Schneider trained drivers are a bit safer then many other drivers trained other places.
Just my 2 cents

Answer:
First I've heard where YOU pay to have a check done on your background, physicals, etc.
None of the three companies I drove for did that.
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I'm not a truck driver, I'm a professional tourist!

Answer:
Although, I have never had to put up any kind of "deposit" or "seat reservation fee"....
I can certainly understand Why they ask for it.
Not only does it cover the expenses of background checks, physicals, MVR, etc....but, it also will ensure that You WILL make an effort to show up.
They have probably had many people SAY that they would be there for orientation/training, but NEVER Showed Up.(No Call-No Show)
They figure that by making you pay a "fee"....you will more than likely Keep Your End of the Deal.

Answer:
I trained with Schneider in May '01. Sent in a $100 "seat fee" after getting a "conditional" hiring. On the 2nd day of training, the seat fee was fully refunded to me via Comcard.
Things may have changed since then.
Jim---------------------------

Answer:
Even a Community College requires a deposit to hold a spot in class. I had to pay $100 (non-refundable) to get in my school.
Schnieder, from everything I've read, is a good deal. Don't let a deposit requirement scare you away because you'll find it just about everywhere.
Kermit

Answer:
I had to pay a reservation fee when I signed on with Swift...The school was through a local community college and the fee was paid directly to them, not the company.
Guess they got tired of backouts...

Answer:
that you can go to. I went to a technical school and got my CDL. At Schneider's training program, I learned why I did the things that I learned to do at the first school. Not going to Schneider because of a $150 seat fee would be a big mistake on your part.

Answer:
Kermit - not every school asks for a nonrefundable deposit. The program at Isothermal Community College has been labeled as the best truck school in the southeast. I have a friend that loved the program especially the one-on-one training in the truck. They are the only program that has a satisfaction guarantee. http://www.isothermal.edu/truck
Originally posted by Kermit:
Even a Community College requires a deposit to hold a spot in class. I had to pay $100 (non-refundable) to get in my school.
Schnieder, from everything I've read, is a good deal. Don't let a deposit requirement scare you away because you'll find it just about everywhere.
Kermit

Answer:
I am starting Schneider school on Monday (Saturday currently), and I had not heard about the fee.
When I got my pre-interview they told me the $150 was to secure your seat. I was told it was started in august last year because they were getting quite a run of people that were not showing up for training, and they had been pulling their trainers off the road to train, only to have the trainee not show up.
They also told me that if you didn't show up, they basically gave that to the trainer and sent them out the next day (although I dunno if that actually happens).
And according to the training cost waiver, the $100 is for your physical, and $50 is for your drug test.
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Fun - (n) - Driving a 14.5 ton Blue Bird full of 11 Year-old know-it-alls while navigating sub-urb traffic consisting of teen-age showoffs, mini-van soccer moms, Rex the dog and the occasional big rig.