A begining average driver for swift will run about 18-2000 miles per week. There are more miles available, but the reality is you have to build up your driving stamina. You also have to learn how to run Smart, not just hard. Take hometime on weekends when freight is slow, a 500 mile load that shows delivery in two days, arrive in one. (Most companies will fit you in if someone else misses their del appt, or atleast your near final and can stay off duty until delivery time, then have near full hours for your next load.) So for the first 3 months you can expect to make minimal of $2026 (1800 x 4.33 weeks, x .26 mile). This does not include sliding pay scale. You should be getting around 3000 minimal around your 4 month raise or 6 month raise. You need to go into trucking with an open mind, its nothing like any other job you have had. Customers are frustrating, traffic and the four wheelers, even your own company will be frustrating at times. Just be proffessional and work smart and you will be fine. VICKW is my qualcomm code, send me a message anytime and I will also help you.

1.61 is not much when the average wage per mile for Swift is almost .50 (Total miles driven divided by total driver wages), and fuel is .50 or more. So we just took 1 dollar out of that with just two expenses. Easier way is look at the Operating Revenue Percentage. I believe Swift was around 91-92 OR for that quarter. So it cost 91-92 cents to make a Dollar. The companies that can give more raises are the ones that can keep a lower OR. So to get a better OR you have to either increase your rates, or decrease your expenses. Fastest impact for expense reductions are reducing accidents, turnover reduction (trucks sitting idle, advertising costs per driver etc.)

Thanks for the info Vick.

As A Swift driver i have been with the company almost 3 years.
Seen things change in that time IE we did get a little bump in pay. plus dec of 06 or was it nov 06 bah. Swift start the short pay so any miles under 300 to 25 gets more pay. also we get paid faster as soon as we do a macro 6
which is a empty call tells swift hey we got unloaded and ready for or next load. As soon as we do that we get paid for that trip we just have to make sure we send in the bol. As far as DM ( Driver Manger) therating us we need to take that fright even if its over weight or I don’t care if you don’t have the hours do it. in my 3 years never was told that from a DM or anyone. Now is there times when I get frustrated with swift yes sir is there times when I am on cloud 9 yep. It all comes down to this there is NO NONE NADA ZIP ZILCH prefect trucking company it all boils down to what you make of it and what BS you can put up with.

Chris
truck 97616

What's the starting rate of pay for new drivers?

Oh one more thing for the love of god when is Houston going to pave the yard. disregard if it has haven’t been there in about a year








Chris
Truck 97616

Well, I don't know what Swift starts out newbies for the rate of pay but basically to do $3,000.00 gross in a month you have to get 2500 miles a week at .30 per mile. Now I know they have this deal for miles under 300 but I would like to know how many times a driver gets short runs that qualify for that. Anyway from vickw's post a newbie averages 1800-2000 a week even through the Swift site says one gets 2100 miles a week. Still I don't see you grossing $3,000.00 a month and I really don't see how Swift can state a first year driver in the western division can make approximately $41,112.00. I guess the key word is approximately.

Yeah I know,I am retired now.But over the last two yrs.I drove for two companies.I did 4 months with Swift,which was a very bad experience.In my estimation Swift is the bottom of the barrel.They truly had all kinds of ways to screw over the drivers,especially the experienced ones.I wont go into detail here but to me they are the worst.I have never been lied to so much as I was in that 4 month deal.I then signed on with Roehl,and what a difference.They are not perfect,but they are head and shoulders above Swift.I actually enjoyed driving for Roehl.Yes I had a couple of problems with them,but they were taken care of by a phone call to the right people.At least they will listen to you and give you straight answers,even on night and weekend dispatch.My advice to anyone just starting out or an experienced driver looking for another job.STAY AWAY FROM SWIFT.I am not saying to go to Roehl,I am saying look over the posts here,and pick something better.There are several good companies out there and most of them are mentioned on this site.Do some homework right here and dont be afraid to shop around.

We are taking over part of Central Freight and selling the dust bowl. We will stay at Central freight until the new terminal is built closer to the port. We have started working our way into the ports drayage business and want to be closer to it. (More local positions for our drivers)

The freight environment this year is the softest I have ever seen for the industry. Thats why I say 1800-2000. Doesnt mean you cant make more, thats just the average new driver running for me. I do have non average new drivers doing more. The 41112 number is 790 per week in pay. The section on the website also says its based off one year of experience. If I was going to drive for Swift and my goal is to make as much money as I legally could, I would team with someone either I knew, or after my first 3 months. Teams are paid more, and generally get better miles. I would run coast to coast as a team. After a year I would become a mentor. Now once I was a mentor I dont know if I would run 48 or ask for a regional. 48 is definately better for the students, but personal preferance I would probably want a regional to get by the house more since I have kids.