Schneider National Academy Training is a joke, had to unlearn everything I learned, now they want me to pay for it Green Bay Wisconsin

Your experience is truly unfortunate. But I have to wonder, did you expect to be a fantastic big truck driver as soon as you got out of school? No schooling is ever designed to teach you everything you need to know about any particular career choice. I went through Schneider's school in fall of 2005, and thought they did quite a good job of it. I realized the school was primarily to get me able to pass my CDL test, and to learn the basics of truck driving and safety. Afterward, when I was sent out for four weeks with a Training Engineer (TE), that's when the beginning of the real world of truck driving was experienced. All of this was pretty much explained to me from the beginning.
We all have to make choices, and have to take responsibility for our choices. If the road was too narrow and winding for you to feel safe, you should never have driven it. Whether or not you hit the boat, it was your responsibility to make sure you had the room, not the farmer's. You may have felt a bit like a schmuck by letting him know you were a pretty new driver, and asking him about moving it, but if you had taken the initiative, he may have tried to be understanding and worked with you on getting it out of your way. I'm not going to say that you're entirely at fault, because a lot of companies will mislead you with pretty word, but I'm just saying that maybe you should start thinking about taking some responsibility for your own actions. I got into situations where I got turned around the wrong way, and I'll admit, the directions they give to some of the places is WAY messed up, But this is also why they want the drivers to send corrected directions when they find themselves in a situation like that (which most drivers do not do). I no longer drive for Schneider- I did my year and just a little more, but the reason I left was the money- basically I wanted more. But my personal experience with their training was extremely fulfilling and I feel they truly got me ready for my truck driving career. Oh yeah- I passed my CDL driving test first time- with only 2 points taken off, and that was at the State of Florida DMV, not an outside agency as so many of the other schools use. And this was with the training I received at Schneider and before I went out with my TE.
Well, thats just my experience......

The story described here would be a good short story entitled: "My Truck Driving Nightmare."

Unfortunately, there are many stories like this one. What is inappropriate is the situation where the author was told to throw everything he learned in training school out the window. The purpose of training is to prepare the individual for what he may experience on the job. It appears then the academy would need to re-evaluate what they teach students. But, many schools teach just enough for the individual to obtain a CDL A license.

Truck driving is one of the most difficult occupations in which to earn a living.

I have told many people the best way to learn about truck driving is to find someone who owns a truck and ask them if they can ride along and then go from there, perhaps to the point where the owner could teach the person to drive. This process is used by the gravel train industry almost exclusively, meaning those drivers do not typically go to truck driving school.

Who said I have a fat backside? I weigh 195lbs. so I really don't fall into that category. As far as why I didn't get out & get the boxes, it could be because when I got there the illegal Mexicans Mr. farmer had working for him didn't have the things ready when I got there (had to wait nearly 6 hours for them) and I couldn't leave a 70' tractor trailer parked on a skinny road (you were not there so you have no room to judge me for something you know nothing about).

Why didn't I call my manager? (I'll leave out the obscenities you included in your reply) I did call him and I did what I was instructed to do!

About the word pray, I'm just as free to practice my faith as anyone else and you need to mind your own business. Why don't you try it sometime? You may find it helps a lot more than you realize.

About the boat... I didn't hit it (if you read what i put in the report you would know this). Just because someone says you did something doesn't mean you are guilty (remember - the accused gets a trial). This was the main reason I was released from my contract - that and catching a dispatcher in a pack of lies over the phone. There were so many inconsistencies in the stories of the farmer and my dispatcher, it was sickening. If anyone deserves to be in the slammer, it should be them.

Now, let's talk about my driving record. I was fortunate enough to find a trainer who showed me in 4 days what Schneider couldn't (or wouldn't) show me in 4 weeks. Shortly thereafter, I was fortunate enough to get a local driving job and have never - repeat - NEVER had any problems! As a mater of fact, I still have my CDL and my record is spotless. I'll be willing to bet I can drive better than you can - if you have the courage to accept a friendly wager.

With that said, I know I've made my point clear. You had your mind made up about the whole thing like you are some kind of clairvoyant (maybe you have me mistaken for someone else you know who had a similar problem). As far as responsibility, I take care of my family, pay my bills, go to work, perform my job safely, and do the best I can to be a good husband, father, member of my community, and Christian. If you have a problem with that, you need to get a life (I have one and I choose to live it). I got into a profession I didn't want to get into but once I actually got trained by someone who knew what they were doing, I was able to do very well driving a truck. As far as deserving bad credit, I don't have it and I take the responsibility to do all in my power to ensure I never get it (Schneider can't collect a penny on me and there is absolutely nothing showing on my credit that i owe them because I don't). I don't expect you to be "swayed" over to my point-of-view. You are entitled to your opinion just as much as the rest of us are entitled to ours. In the end, I guess I'm just trying to show others who might read your prejudiced comments just how ignorant some people can be. Remember this..."Judge not, that ye be not judged" and "For what measure you use, it will be measured back to you." I'll leave it to you to find out where you can find those writings.

God Bless You

I can only shake my head when I read the posts preceding me. All I see are whining little children, not having grown up enough to actually accept some responsibility for their own actions.

I too, went through the Training Academy in 2003. I too, signed a contract stipulating I'd have to drive continuously with Schneider for 12 months, or have to repay the expenses incurred for accepting their training.

Look at it this way: Instead of requiring you to pay for the training up-front, like many others do, they give you the opportunity to take the training, then either obtain financing to pay them for it, or drive for them for a year. What's so difficult to understand?

Do you really expect them to train you for free? Who is ripping off whom, the company giving you a leg up if you're short on cash or financing, or the irresponsible who think they can sign a contract then make up excuses why it's ok to stiff the company? How would you like to pay for the trainers, the equipment, the facilities, the fuel, and the insurance required to train someone, only to have them walk away without paying. In one sense, you're just a common thief if you do that.

The Academy ran for two (2) five-day weeks. Schneider paid for the lodging and one meal a day during this time.

It's true, the Academy is designed solely to help you pass the CDL tests. Unless you pass, you will not be driving a commercial vehicle, anyway. I lived in Michigan, so I had to test in Michigan. Since I trained in Green Bay, WI (which gave you the basics to pass the Wisconsin tests), I was sent for some additional training at Schneider's Woodhaven, MI OC (operating center), which covered the additional skills I needed to learn. I passed on my first attempt.

Now, at this point I have a choice to make. Do I find another way to pay Schneider back for the training I received, or do I drive for them? I chose to drive my obligation away.

This is when the next phase of training began, plus lodging for a week, also provided by Schneider. You're also paid a stipend. Here your driving skills were honed, preparing you to actually go out in the real world. If you passed, you advanced to the next phase.

This phase, you're out in a truck with a TE (training engineer) picking up and delivering real loads. Generally, you spend two weeks with the TE, doing the majority of the driving. You also get paid a larger stipend during this time.

The stipends are not generally that big, but it sure beats having no income at all.

Yes, I've been down those roads before, too narrow, no place to get turned around, wrong or missed turn, etc. You do the best you can, but you ultimately have to take responsibility for yourself. Schneider is not behind the wheel, YOU are.

Yes, I've found directions that were absolutely horrible. Guess what, those directions were most likely submitted by drivers like you. Chances are likely these days that you have a cellphone, regardless of your financial situation. Call the place you're going. I'll bet they know how to get there.

I had two accidents my first three months in the truck. The first was not my fault. I was struck by a car sitting still in Chicago traffic. Guy took the steps off my driver-side fuel tank. Guy tested positive for drugs. Second accident was my fault. I was doing everything I thought I should have, yet still hit a low clearance in Chicago-land. I too had remedial training. It took me two days because there were concerns during the first day.

By the way, if you don't think you have the room to make a maneuver, DO NOT take another person at their word that you have enough room. YOU are the one behind the wheel. YOU are the one responsible for what happens with that truck, even if God himself is spotting you.

Bottom line. Your training is what you make of it. Your job is what you make of it. Your life is what you make of it. If you don't have a life, get one.

The truth be known, I hate Schneider and left for my own reasons, well after my contract had been satisfied. It's true, they weren't the most honest of employers. Pretty much par for the course with most of the employers I've had. I didn't agree with many of their policies, but I don't owe them money, and I'm adult enough not to resort to made up reasons why I should stiff them for helping me out when I needed it.

If you have such a poor attitude, you'll most likely never amount to anything. Me, I'm moving up.

I can only shake my head when I read the posts preceding me. All I see are whining little children, not having grown up enough to actually accept some responsibility for their own actions.

I too, went through the Training Academy in 2003. I too, signed a contract stipulating I'd have to drive continuously with Schneider for 12 months, or have to repay the expenses incurred for accepting their training.

Look at it this way: Instead of requiring you to pay for the training up-front, like many others do, they give you the opportunity to take the training, then either obtain financing to pay them for it, or drive for them for a year. What's so difficult to understand?

Do you really expect them to train you for free? Who is ripping off whom, the company giving you a leg up if you're short on cash or financing, or the irresponsible who think they can sign a contract then make up excuses why it's ok to stiff the company? How would you like to pay for the trainers, the equipment, the facilities, the fuel, and the insurance required to train someone, only to have them walk away without paying. In one sense, you're just a common thief if you do that.

The Academy ran for two (2) five-day weeks. Schneider paid for the lodging and one meal a day during this time.

It's true, the Academy is designed solely to help you pass the CDL tests. Unless you pass, you will not be driving a commercial vehicle, anyway. I lived in Michigan, so I had to test in Michigan. Since I trained in Green Bay, WI (which gave you the basics to pass the Wisconsin tests), I was sent for some additional training at Schneider's Woodhaven, MI OC (operating center), which covered the additional skills I needed to learn. I passed on my first attempt.

Now, at this point I have a choice to make. Do I find another way to pay Schneider back for the training I received, or do I drive for them? I chose to drive my obligation away.

This is when the next phase of training began, plus lodging for a week, also provided by Schneider. You're also paid a stipend. Here your driving skills were honed, preparing you to actually go out in the real world. If you passed, you advanced to the next phase.

This phase, you're out in a truck with a TE (training engineer) picking up and delivering real loads. Generally, you spend two weeks with the TE, doing the majority of the driving. You also get paid a larger stipend during this time.

The stipends are not generally that big, but it sure beats having no income at all.

Yes, I've been down those roads before, too narrow, no place to get turned around, wrong or missed turn, etc. You do the best you can, but you ultimately have to take responsibility for yourself. Schneider is not behind the wheel, YOU are.

Yes, I've found directions that were absolutely horrible. Guess what, those directions were most likely submitted by drivers like you. Chances are likely these days that you have a cellphone, regardless of your financial situation. Call the place you're going. I'll bet they know how to get there.

I had two accidents my first three months in the truck. The first was not my fault. I was struck by a car sitting still in Chicago traffic. Guy took the steps off my driver-side fuel tank. Guy tested positive for drugs. Second accident was my fault. I was doing everything I thought I should have, yet still hit a low clearance in Chicago-land. I too had remedial training. It took me two days because there were concerns during the first day.

By the way, if you don't think you have the room to make a maneuver, DO NOT take another person at their word that you have enough room. YOU are the one behind the wheel. YOU are the one responsible for what happens with that truck, even if God himself is spotting you.

Bottom line. Your training is what you make of it. Your job is what you make of it. Your life is what you make of it. If you don't have a life, get one.

The truth be known, I hate Schneider and left for my own reasons, well after my contract had been satisfied. It's true, they weren't the most honest of employers. Pretty much par for the course with most of the employers I've had. I didn't agree with many of their policies, but I don't owe them money, and I'm adult enough not to resort to made up reasons why I should stiff them for helping me out when I needed it.

If you have such a poor attitude, you'll most likely never amount to anything. Me, I'm moving up.

I can only shake my head when I read the posts preceding me. All I see are whining little children, not having grown up enough to actually accept some responsibility for their own actions.

I too, went through the Training Academy in 2003. I too, signed a contract stipulating I'd have to drive continuously with Schneider for 12 months, or have to repay the expenses incurred for accepting their training.

Look at it this way: Instead of requiring you to pay for the training up-front, like many others do, they give you the opportunity to take the training, then either obtain financing to pay them for it, or drive for them for a year. What's so difficult to understand?

Do you really expect them to train you for free? Who is ripping off whom, the company giving you a leg up if you're short on cash or financing, or the irresponsible who think they can sign a contract then make up excuses why it's ok to stiff the company? How would you like to pay for the trainers, the equipment, the facilities, the fuel, and the insurance required to train someone, only to have them walk away without paying. In one sense, you're just a common thief if you do that.

The Academy ran for two (2) five-day weeks. Schneider paid for the lodging and one meal a day during this time.

It's true, the Academy is designed solely to help you pass the CDL tests. Unless you pass, you will not be driving a commercial vehicle, anyway. I lived in Michigan, so I had to test in Michigan. Since I trained in Green Bay, WI (which gave you the basics to pass the Wisconsin tests), I was sent for some additional training at Schneider's Woodhaven, MI OC (operating center), which covered the additional skills I needed to learn. I passed on my first attempt.

Now, at this point I have a choice to make. Do I find another way to pay Schneider back for the training I received, or do I drive for them? I chose to drive my obligation away.

This is when the next phase of training began, plus lodging for a week, also provided by Schneider. You're also paid a stipend. Here your driving skills were honed, preparing you to actually go out in the real world. If you passed, you advanced to the next phase.

This phase, you're out in a truck with a TE (training engineer) picking up and delivering real loads. Generally, you spend two weeks with the TE, doing the majority of the driving. You also get paid a larger stipend during this time.

The stipends are not generally that big, but it sure beats having no income at all.

Yes, I've been down those roads before, too narrow, no place to get turned around, wrong or missed turn, etc. You do the best you can, but you ultimately have to take responsibility for yourself. Schneider is not behind the wheel, YOU are.

Yes, I've found directions that were absolutely horrible. Guess what, those directions were most likely submitted by drivers like you. Chances are likely these days that you have a cellphone, regardless of your financial situation. Call the place you're going. I'll bet they know how to get there.

I had two accidents my first three months in the truck. The first was not my fault. I was struck by a car sitting still in Chicago traffic. Guy took the steps off my driver-side fuel tank. Guy tested positive for drugs. Second accident was my fault. I was doing everything I thought I should have, yet still hit a low clearance in Chicago-land. I too had remedial training. It took me two days because there were concerns during the first day.

By the way, if you don't think you have the room to make a maneuver, DO NOT take another person at their word that you have enough room. YOU are the one behind the wheel. YOU are the one responsible for what happens with that truck, even if God himself is spotting you.

Bottom line. Your training is what you make of it. Your job is what you make of it. Your life is what you make of it. If you don't have a life, get one.

The truth be known, I hate Schneider and left for my own reasons, well after my contract had been satisfied. It's true, they weren't the most honest of employers. Pretty much par for the course with most of the employers I've had. I didn't agree with many of their policies, but I don't owe them money, and I'm adult enough not to resort to made up reasons why I should stiff them for helping me out when I needed it.

If you have such a poor attitude, you'll most likely never amount to anything. Me, I'm moving up.

You sound like the last person I would ever want driving anything, let alone an 18-wheeler. A few choice quotes:

"I finally unlearned the wrong things I had been taught enough to just barely pass the test and get my CDL on the 3rd attempt.."
Third time's a charm, right?

"I wasn't sure if I would be able to drive the truck because of all the wrong things I had learned but I was committed to fulfilling the contract I signed.."

So you didn't know if you could drive this rolling killing machine, but you decided to anyway because you didn't wanna pay out of pocket for your training. Very responsible.

"I got lost twice but, luckily, found my way to the sores[sic] without any incedent [sic].."
Sure, getting lost isn't an incident. After all it's not like your s*** could get jacked when you're in the middle of f****** nowhere, or anything like that...

"At this point all I could do was pray that I wouldn't make a mistake and have an accident.."
Would you feel comfortable if your surgeon said this to you before an operation? How about if your kid's babysitter did before you went out for the night? Get this: if you are driving ANY vehicle, you are holding the lives of other people in your hands. This is ten times so when you drive a big rig. If it is part of your JOB to protect the lives of others (like a surgeon, babysitter, or truck driver) there is no room for mistakes. There is room for mistakes in training and during tests, but not on the road. If there was ever any doubt in your mind of your ability to drive your truck safely, the adult thing to do would have been to pull over and call your manager. But you're so f****** money-hungry the thought probably never crossed your mind.

"I had to swing the truck wide around narrow curves and pray that there was no oncoming traffic.."

Again with that f****** word, pray. No. No. No. Priests pray. Nuns pray. People of faith pray, people on their deathbed pray. You do not pray. If the road was honestly that bad, again you should've calling your f****** manager.

"My load consisted of 5 small boxes of produce that could have easily fit into a compact pickup truck with room to spare.."

Oh yeah? So why didn't you pull over, get your fat a*s out of the truck, walk the 200 feet to his door and carry them back yourself? Instead of trying a maneuver you admit you knew was going to turn out bad?

There were several more but I think I've made my point clear. You think Schneider is a terrible monster because they expect you to use good judgment. You didn't, and when they fired your a*s for it, you're all pissy because you have to PAY them for training they GAVE you. You deserve bad credit, you deserve to have lost your job, and you deserve to lose your CDL if you haven't yet. Why don't you stop bitching and thank your lucky f****** stars that it was a boat you hit and not the farmer, or you'd be sitting in the slammer for vehicular manslaughter right about now.

I just wanted to mention that the reason the school taught you to drive that way is because if you don't drive that way on the CDL road test, guess what? you fail. It sounds stupid, but that's how it is. That's how these company paid schools generally work. They just barely teach you what you need to learn to do the road test. They know you won't be driving like this in the real world. They also assume that when you go over the road with the company trainer, that he will be competent and teach you everything you need to know. That's quite often not the case.

There are better schools that will teach you the same stuff you learned, get you your CDL, and then keep you for a few more weeks and teach you more techniques. But then you don't get paid for being in that school either. I've actually considered starting one like that, because I think that after you get out of school you should be able to drive a truck. I'd have trucks loaded with bricks in different amounts, from just a 10,000lb load to a load that puts you at the legal maximum. Anyway, meh, I probably won't do it.

Also, I'm sure they taught you about going down mountains by putting the truck in a lower gear and then using your brakes to slow yourself down. Yes, the method they give you for selecting a gear is BS (when did you EVER see a symetrical mountain? come on!), but your trainer taught you how to do this with jake brakes, right? Guess what? Some trucks don't have jake brakes. You can't use jake brakes if the road is slippery. What are you going to do then? Thats why they taught you that.

And you can drive a truck like they taught you in school as long as it's empty. :)

After nearly 3 years of wrangling, I'm happy to announce that I've been released from all obligation to pay for that so-called "training" I received from Schneider. I was further blessed with a local driving job and I get to be home every night with my wife and kids. Additionally, my credit was restored and I was able to buy my family a brand new home in a wonderful neighborhood and only 2.5 miles from work. I believe it was only by the grace of God that things worked out for me the way they did, along with a taped phone conversation with my former STL (dispatcher) in which I was able to catch him in lie after lie after lie. Once I submitted this to the company headquarters in Green Bay, they could not deny the "screwing" they tried to put on me. It took a while to get them to admit it but they knew they couldn't pursue legal action to collect any money from me. I had a consumer lawyer confirm this. The toughest part was getting my credit rating restored but persistence finally paid off.

In closing, all I can say is STAY AWAY FROM SCHNEIDER or any other company that wants you to sign a contract for training. And please, please, please don't fall for any of those lease purchase programs offered by so many of the big carriers. YOU WILL GET SCREWED!!! I was lucky. Others may not be. This story has a happy ending but the best ending is not to get in a mess like this in the first place.

Take care and God bless!

You'er not the only one schneider has done dirty they are alot off people they have terminated after training & they don't have the money to pay the loan so it goes agaisnt them on their credit, its sad that schneider does this to people but luckly schneider turned me down for their company paid training I see it has a blessing because if schneider does terminate people during training they will still have to pay back the loan, that is stealing from people. I was turned down by schneider 12/03, because I did not have a 36 month work history sure I was hurt & disappointed & angered but I see it know has a relief that I did not have to go threw all the troubles after training worried about being terminated for no reason & having the loan placed on my credit files agaisnt me or have my dac report ruined schneider is not the best way to get your cdl if you don't have a 36 month working history then you are up the greek, If schneider keeps this up nobody will bother to apply with them & they will be shut down.