Question:
Due to the course of current events, more and more American's are finding themselves in low paying jobs, or worse, without a job at all. The trucking industry, however, seems to be steady, a growing industry most of the company CEO's would say. After all, the need to move freight across country will always be there. Is it a dream job? Is it an answer to everyone's struggle to make ends meat? Sadly, that's hardly the case. It takes more than the need for a stable income to make a trucker. It takes motivation, skill(a lot of it), and drive. The lifestyle of a trucker is not an easy one, and it is not for everyone. Starting out, you will more than likely have trouble making ends meat. If you have what it takes, or think you do. If living out of your rig sounds apealing to you, give it a whirl and you might, just might, find yourself a trucker. I have read it here more than once, and it does hold true: IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. If you read my profile, you will see that I am not a truck driver. So why do I know what I have just posted? The answer is quite simple really. I have done what was advised for me , and anyone looking to get in the field for that matter, I have researched. I attended Schneider's training for approximately one week. I left due to a dispute with a trainer. I hold the trainer responsable for this, not Schneider. I have been in and out of message boards, talked with several truckers themselves and am making an informed decision. A shout out to those at pumpkin driver.
PeaCE.
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

Answer:
Indeed trucking is what we make of it. Can't go wrong on thinking that one, 'cause it's true. That's why I'm sick of hearing drivers complain about how much the industry sucks; sure, there are plenty of lows, but it only "sucks" to them because it's their opinion.
While I'm not problem-free as a trucker, and none of us are, I do enjoy my job and I make it into the positive career that it has been for me.

Answer:
Indeed trucking is what we make of it. Can't go wrong on thinking that one, 'cause it's true. That's why I'm sick of hearing drivers compl

Answer:
The main reason why trucking does okay is that the transport industry services a very wide cross section of the industries in the country and thus are somewhat insulated by downturns in particular sectors.
As for "trucking is what you make of it" lets switch that around a bit and say "<insert career here> is what you make of it"... to some extent this can be true. Hard work and a good attitude go far but you will very often reach that glass ceiling beyond which you cannot progress for whatever reason... either limitations of your own or those that are imposed upon you.

Answer:
I attended Schneider's training for approximately one week. I left due to a dispute with a trainer.
I've been trucking for over 25 years.
Heck, I aren't figured it all out yet!
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Sherlock Holmes, proud member of the Happy Dweller Society!
Company driver division


Answer:
I attended Schneider's training for approximately one week. I left due to a dispute with a trainer. I hold the trainer responsable for this, not Schneider.
Ok, you had a dispute with a trainer. Was it one of the instructors at driving school or a trainer after school during your OTJ phase?
No matter. It doesnt really matter. I do not know your full details but if you left, after only a week, instead of sticking it out and solving the problem more than likely you would not have been very happy, nor lasted very long as a driver anyway.
Drivers are faced with problems every single day. Problems that run from sitting forever waiting to get loaded/unloaded to waiting for your next load assignment, to getting shafted on hometime, to you name it. Disagreements and down right arguments/fights are common with dispatchers. Even if you have a good primary dispatcher the clown you have to deal with after 5pm and on weekends may make you blood boil in a heartbeat.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Not to get defensive, but you are right, you don't know the circumstances. That would lead me to think that you could not make an informed decision as to weather or not I would or would not make it in the trucking industry. So heres my advice: Save the judgements for the situations you know something about.
Peace
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

Answer:
Originally posted by Uturn:
No matter. It doesnt really matter. I do not know your full details but if you left, after only a week, instead of sticking it out and solving the problem more than likely you would not have been very happy, nor lasted very long as a driver anyway.
Originally posted by rossnem:
So heres my advice: Save the judgements for the situations you know something about.
THEN POST ALL THE FACTS!
I gotta agree with Uturn! If you had a disagreement with how things were being run or whatever, you didn't bother to stick around long enough to try to get the situation resolved!
Left after 1 week! Sheesh........
You'd never have made it as a driver!
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
rossnem...
Forums are for discussion. Your post is being discussed. If you didn't want it discussed you shouldn't have posted anything... or you should have clarified your reasons for leaving Schneider instead of being such a mystery.
We DO know you left after only one week, so it looks like you are right... it is what YOU make of it.

Answer:
rossnem said
Not to get defensive, but you are right, you don't know the circumstances.
What we're saying is -- that's the point. The industry doesn't much care about your circumstances. They just want you to put-up with the best they can do for you, instead of quitting aftr one week. It's part of the selection process in a way -- a test. Despite it's relatively relaxed image from the outside, it's a rough'n tumble blue collar dog fight on the inside. They want you to be a winner and you could have been one. Your choice. I don't blame you. You didn't want it enough -- maybe you're the wiser. But you could have been successful if you stuck around. This problem should not have been a deal breaker....from Schneider's point of view....and perhaps many of us too. We've all swallowed dirt.

Answer:
Taking the liberty of speaking for us "old-timers" our there:
We are not truck drivers because we drive trucks. We drive trucks because we are truck drivers.
Daytripper
Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.

Answer:
you the man


Answer:
I am not here to banter words with anyone period. I have not given up I have a interview with Sharky lined up next week. I had a hard time concentrating on driving and learning while someone was yelling in my face for things like not cancelling a turn signal. To make a long story short, he later explained that he was stressed over having to do double shifts as a trainer for Schneider. At the time I had pressures of my own. After an out and out shouting fest with this trainer one day for him calling me every name in the book, we had a big powwow with the supervisor over training, the outcome was that he was taken off training, and me along with another student who was training, were offered a new trainer. I needed time to regroup and I am trying to get back in the saddle. I make no excuses on my part. I probably should have tried the other trainer, but for me it is all water under the bridge.
peace
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

Answer:
Originally posted by rossnem:
At the time I had pressures of my own. After an out and out shouting fest with this trainer one day for him calling me every name in the book, we had a big powwow with the supervisor over training, the outcome was that he was taken off training, and me along with another student who was training, were offered a new trainer. I needed time to regroup and I am trying to get back in the saddle. I make no excuses on my part. I probably should have tried the other trainer, but for me it is all water under the bridge.
Everybodies got 'pressures of their own' You're no more special than any one else.
Here's a few tips for the future.
1. Do NOT get into a pissin match with your immediate supervisor. Go over his head the first chance you get.
2. You were offered a different trainer, you should've taken that offer. It also wouldn't have hurt to ask for a day or 2 off to 'clear your mind'.
3. "but for me it is all water under the bridge."
As you see it. A company most likely sees it much different, there's a good chance something negative could show up on your DAC report. Thus possibly harming your chances of employment elsewhere.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Good point Hoss.
You need to either get back to Schneider quickly as agreed, or test the waters elsewhere asap. Schneider may be your only choice right now and they won't hold the door open long. You have nothing - no significent experience - and are now a bigger risk than any other unknown newbie who DIDN'T leave after one week.
If you really want to join thi fraternity of compromised crazies, better get on it first thing Monday morning. But.....my advice is don't. You don't sound like the right type. You might want to take that as a compliment.