Cover Story

Boyd Creary — Schneider National, Inc.

Ten years ago, Boyd Creary was selling stereos in San Antonio when he came across a newspaper ad from Schneider National recruiting truck drivers. Not excited about his sales career, he decided to contact Schneider and explore the world of truck driving. In addition to a career that he could be enthusiastic about, Boyd wanted financial stability and career options that would enable him to better support his wife and two young children.

After talking with experienced drivers and company representatives, Boyd decided to pursue his CDL and began training at Schneider’s company-paid academy in Green Bay, WI. Upon successfully completing the academy in 1993, Boyd began working for Schneider’s One-Way division, based out of the company’s West Memphis, AR Operating Center.

After eight months, the Crearys moved to Atlanta, and Boyd began working out of Schneider’s Charlotte, NC Operating Center. Soon he began looking for a Dedicated position so that he could get home more frequently.

Boyd’s first experience with Schneider’s Dedicated division was with Southeastern Freight Lines, hauling freight from Atlanta to York, PA. “This position was a great opportunity for me because I was part of a three-person team sharing two trucks,” said Boyd. “We took turns driving solo or as part of a team, which meant we could all be home on the weekends, and that made all the difference.”

Two years later, Boyd’s family expanded and he wanted to find a position that would allow him to be home at night. Fortunately, a Dedicated driver was needed for Schneider’s Sweetheart Cups account, just outside of his hometown of Atlanta. During his first year as a Dedicated driver on the account, Boyd made both local deliveries in and around Atlanta, as well as intermodal runs.

When the Dedicated relationship between Schneider and Sweetheart ended, Boyd did regional runs in the Southeast before realizing that being at home every day was his ultimate goal. He continued to work as a driver for Schneider’s Intermodal division for three more years before becoming his own boss, an owner-operator, in 2005. He credits Schneider’s truck buying program and the support of other drivers who had successfully made the transition before him for helping him become an owner-operator. He now sees his family every night.

As Boyd says, “My entire driving career has been spent with Schneider National for a reason. As a father, their benefits are great, the pay is right and the equipment is good. I have never felt that I was just a number. They know who I am when I call, and it’s nice to know my needs are important.”

He added, “Schneider also lets me know their plans and keeps me informed of what’s happening in the industry. And they never stop the focus on safety, because you’re never too old to learn new tricks.”

Boyd Creary is a million-mile driver for Schneider National with 11 years of consecutive safe driving. He has also served as a training engineer helping new Schneider National drivers master safe driving techniques and apply their classroom skills out on the road.

The staff of Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines would like to wish Boyd continued success with Schneider National. For more information on professional driving opportunities available now at Schneider, see their ad on page 31 of this issue.