Thinking about hitting the road... any advice?

j.trux · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 03:58 PM

Hi everyone, my name is JT. Stands for Jason Trux and Trux is my real middle name. My dad and his dad were both truckers, thats how I got the name. I have been fed up with my current sales job for awhile now and have been thinking about getting my CDL. I know that every job will have its BS but I think trucking would be fun and will allow me to have more freedom.
I have been thinking of going over to Schneider to get my training and a job because they are right near me and train for free as long as I work for them for 18 months. Pay is not great but is manageable. Anybody got any inside info on working for Schneider or any other info/advice they can share? They look like a good company that takes care of their folks. Let me know, thanks - JT

pro1driver · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 05:40 PM

i don't believe i ever heard of some one with a name like "trux", but then again, if your parents are from the "hippie-era", that would explain it all.....

in any event, welcome. as far as schnieder goes, good choice. i don't hear too much negatives about them.

good luck.

j.trux · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 06:03 PM

Nah - they are baby boomers and a bit too old to be hippies. Just creative name givers I guess. The original story, as I understand it, is that dad wanted to name me Axle Trux, and my mum put her foot down and they settled on Jason Trux.

In any case, Thanks for the input!

JT

pro1driver · #4 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.trux

Nah - they are baby boomers and a bit too old to be hippies. Just creative name givers I guess. The original story, as I understand it, is that dad wanted to name me Axle Trux, and my mum put her foot down and they settled on Jason Trux.

In any case, Thanks for the input!

JT

well i'm glad that they ain't former hippies (for your sake)...........

you could have been named,

"moonglow",

or "spare tire",
or "hazard ahead"......

can't help myself...........i'm in a "good mood" today......

j.trux · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 06:32 PM

or... my dad's handle "southwind". Wow, that would have been weird.

rail_hauler · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 07:01 PM

hey j.t. i posted some of this info in a thread, so at the risk of repeating myself here goes. I did the schneider deal about 6 years ago. The training I got there was excelent. There are of course practical things that you pick up as you do the job, but as far as getting a good foundation in the industry - the laws & regs and how to comply with them - great. I guess it was about 4 months..the newness and excitement started to wear off and I was beginning to feel worn out. They will use you up. But from what I hear out there - most otr companies will. Even in local and regional though..schneider will run you and run you and run you. After having gone through it, I look back at it as a sort of 2.5 year boot camp. I got to know nooks and crannies of the u.s. and canada that some otr drivers have never had to "deal" with. My experience with the company was on the whole good. I just got tired of being tired all the time. After "paying those dues", I have a pretty relaxed driving job now. 8 - 12 hours a day home every night, weekends off and decent pay for it. But it's the experience I got there and the "free" training that got me here. My advise, do it - Get your liscence with them, get the time under your belt, stick it out for 2 years and then folow the money - if you want to stay there great - if not with 2 years otr experience, you have many doors open to you.