Schneider annually hosts a Safety Rodeo competition open to all drivers in its Intermodal division. Set up regionally at 12 locations, the three-maneuver course is designed to test in about 15 minutes blind-side backing and the ability to handle tricky parking situations.
The winner of each regional rodeo advances to a national championship. Along with the 12 top regional finishers, the prior year’s winner is invited to defend his or her title. This year, Matt McMillan of Worcester, MA—who won both the 2012 and 2013 rodeos—was unseated by first-time competitor Doug Dent of French Camp, CA.
“I’m stoked. It’s a huge adrenaline rush,” Dent said after learning he was the new champ. “The whole time I was nervous as could be. It was very tough.”
McMillan, with Schneider for eight years, was gracious in defeat. “It was a good, fun competition and very safety-oriented,” he said.