Interior view of a vehicle, focusing on the black steering wheel with embedded controls and the dashboard displaying various gauges such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel level and temperature.

do-semi-trucks-have-cruise-control.jpg

Do semi-trucks have cruise control? What drivers should know

A woman standing in front of a large window with the sun rising on the horizon. She is holding a laptop and looking down at the screen.

how-to-make-goals-and-stick-to-them.jpg

How to make goals and stick to them: 5 steps for success

A light blue mini waffle maker with a waffle cooking inside it. A person’s hand is visible, reaching towards the mini waffle maker, possibly to check the cooking progress or open it. 

truck-driver-cooking-equipment.jpg

Top 10 pieces of truck driver cooking equipment you need

A warehouse associate operates a forklift to lift palettes. 

what-is-forklift-certification.jpg

What is forklift certification? And 7 other common questions

A truck driver sleeping under an orange blanket with a sleep mask, in the sleeper berth of their semi-truck.

sleeper-berth-rules.jpg

Complete guide to sleeper berth rules and definitions

how-to-send-follow-up-email-after-no-response.jpg

How to follow up on an email after no response as a seller

Blog

Bo Nobouphasavanh is a Schneider Regional Intermodal driver who immigrated to the U.S. from Laos.

featured-driver-Bo-Nobouphasavanh.jpg

Bounlieng “Bo” Nobouphasavanh’s unique story of becoming a truck driver and a Schneider <a href="https://schneiderjobs.com/blog/tag/all-stars">All-Star</a>, is unlike most other drivers.
As a refugee from the Vietnam War, Bo emigrated by himself from Laos in 1980.
“I was an incredibly scared teenager,” Bo said. “I was moving to the U.S., where I had never been, knew nothing about and didn’t speak the language.”
<h2>Bo’s early years in America</h2>
To make ends meet, Bo got his first job in the U.S, as a mushroom picker at a farm in Michigan and went to school at night to learn English.
How exactly did Bo end up in Michigan?
“I was given some options,” Bo said. “I pointed to Michigan on the map – it was close to all that water. The guy looked at me like I was crazy. The first winter was very cold, but I love people in the Midwest. They are easy-going and remind me of my friends in Laos.”
Bo enrolled himself in a welding course and found a job in a sheet metal factory. While he was quickly promoted to foreman, Bo didn’t feel fulfilled and felt that he had a different calling.
During a casual conversation one day with a delivery driver, he was introduced to the world of trucking.
<h2>A new start as a truck driver</h2>
Bo went to <a href="https://schneiderjobs.com/truck-driving-jobs/inexperienced/become-truck-driver/find-truck-driving-school">truck driving school</a> in Detroit but kept running into obstacles.
“At this time, you kind of had to know someone to be a truck driver, but the problem was I didn’t know anyone,” Bo said. “I was fortunate to come into contact with a Schneider recruiter and was given my first role as a truck driver.”
Bo joined Schneider in 1989 as an <a href="https://schneiderjobs.com/truck-driving-jobs/driving-opportunities/otr">Over-the-Road</a> driver and then transitioned to a <a href="https://schneiderjobs.com/truck-driving-jobs/driving-opportunities/regional">Regional</a> <a href="https://schneiderjobs.com/truck-driving-jobs/driving-opportunities/intermodal">Intermodal</a> driver. While he loved seeing the U.S. and learning American culture, Bo now thrives on the challenges that intermodal presents.
“You are constantly planning and working to stay on schedule to ensure you make that cut off time,” Bo said. “You experience many variables – from the hectic traffic in Chicago to navigating through the yard for your pick up. Intermodal is tough, but I love it.”
Today, Bo has surpassed 3.3 million safe driving miles at Schneider.<img data-image="ak23g75dc3lc" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blte891c850d5781579/blt69fc2c825ea3934a/5eff6ff9c1c3440e1d54ddde/bo_2020.jpg" data-sys-asset-uid="blt69fc2c825ea3934a" alt="bo_2020.jpg" width="252" height="312" style="width: 252px; max-width: 252px; height: 312px;">

<h2>Why Schneider?</h2>
When asked why he continues to drive for Schneider after all these years, Bo said Schneider’s ongoing training, commitment to safety and truck driver benefits.
“I can’t say enough about the people – they treat you as family,” Bo said. “Schneider also recognizes the importance of flexible options so I can spend time at home with my own family as well.”
After building his career at Schneider and raising a family of his own, Bo is at peace.
“I feel at home in the U.S. and at Schneider,” Bo said. “This is it. I’ve found my place in the world.”

Whether you are in need of a career change or are a 20-year truck driver looking for something new, Schneider offers hundreds of driving options to fit every lifestyle.

Slice of Orange: Trucking blogs and more

Do semi-trucks have cruise control? What drivers should know