Schneider owner-operator reviews: Hear their experiences

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

As an owner-operator, choosing the right carrier to do business with is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Your business can greatly benefit from consistent freight opportunities, resources that cut operating costs and a company that supports your success.

Rather than tell you why Schneider fits the bill, we let four owner-operators who do business with Schneider do the talking. They share why they decided to contract on with Schneider, how tools like Schneider FreightPower® and the Schneider Purchase Power Program® positively impact their bottom line and what advice they'd offer to company drivers who want to start their own trucking business.

Key takeaways

• Schneider FreightPower® gives owner-operators access to contract and spot freight, dedicated freight, fleet-friendly freight and tanker freight on one platform, helping them find profitable loads for their business.
• The Schneider Purchase Power Program® offers discounts on fuel, insurance, maintenance and more, directly reducing operating costs for owner-operators.
• Owner-operators consistently point to freedom and flexibility as the top reasons why they started their own trucking business. 

Schneider owner-operator reviews

Why did you decide to do business with Schneider?

"I've been an owner-operator for 20 years," Eric said. "I decided to give up my authority in 2023 when the economy was bad for owner-operators, and I decided to shut down my business. I took about a year off and I did a lot of homework on other trucking companies before I made a decision on which company I would want to go to. From all the other companies that I was looking at, Schneider was the best one. A lot of things made Schneider stand out: the loads, the load board and the insurance. There's a lot. The list just goes on." 

Eric, owner-operator

"Schneider is where I first got my CDL in 2003," Susan said. "After three years of company driving, I became an owner-operator. What really drew me back to them this time was that Schneider has a load board available to owner-operators. That really appeals to me." 

"The reason I decided to go with Schneider is because I started out with Schneider [as a company driver]," Shaun said. "Like I tell everybody, I learned everything from Schneider safety-wise. Schneider had the best training program, so why not go back to where I started?" 

"I was a company driver for about six months, and then I had a walk-away lease," Andrew said. "But the company didn't have a load board, so I switched to Schneider because they have a load board." 

How does access to Schneider FreightPower® benefit your business? 

"I've heard good things about it, and they said it's really easy to work," Shaun said. "If you have any questions, you can just call the number with no problem and people at Schneider will walk you through it. So, the communication behind the platform sounds pretty good – and good freight too.

Shaun, owner-operator

"It's the continuous freight that Schneider has," Eric said. "You can pretty much go across the country and have freight. You've just got to utilize all the freight that Schneider has to offer. Having my HazMat (endorsement) should open up a little bit more freight for me too."

"I just booked my first load going to South Carolina from Wisconsin," Andrew said. "You can put in your advanced search and adjust all the different settings, so it's pretty smooth." 

How does the Schneider Purchase Power Program® benefit your business? 

"Schneider has really good relationships with some of the big corporate fuel companies and they get a significant fuel discount, which really, really helps out the pocketbook when putting fuel in," Susan said. 

Susan, owner-operator

"The program benefit my business tremendously," Eric said. "As long as you're an owner-operator, something is going to go wrong. You want to have that package where you can be covered." 

"There are a lot of discounts – good insurance-wise, fuel-wise and everything," Shaun said. “It’ll help me save money without even realizing I’m saving money." 

Why did you decide to become an owner-operator? 

"Because you can choose wherever you want to go," Andrew said. "If you want to go on vacation, you just book yourself over there and take some time off whenever you want. You don't have to worry about anyone telling you where you've got to be. You do it yourself." 

Andrew, owner-operator

"Being able to take home time when you need to, on your schedule," Susan said. "I really like to travel, so it's nice to be able to see what's out there and be able to just go. And if you're willing to work hard, if you have a really good work ethic, there's really good earning potential as opposed to being a company driver, at least in my eyes." 

"The freedom to build my own brand and my own business – something to leave my kids and grandkids – and the chance for more freedom and more money," Shaun said. "I've seen a lot of owner-operators who look so relaxed, and they talk about going where they want to go on their schedule, and then at the same time, building their business and credit."

What is your advice for a company driver who wants to become an owner-operator?

"When you're getting ready to start your own business and become an owner-operator, make sure you do your homework," Eric said. "Weigh your options. You've always got to do what's best for you." 

"The number one thing is don't be afraid of it," Susan said. "It's a fun adventure. At least, it has been for me. And I'd say it's nothing to be afraid of."