My hiring criteria? If I started a small company tomorrow, it'd be heavy haul or tanker, meaning I'd have to be pretty tight on my hiring demands. This is simply because of the nature of the job description, though. I'd probably ask for a five years' experience with no wrecks, no lates, that sort of thing. I'd have to think about it some. What I wouldn't do is hire someone I know would let me down in a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months. But I wouldn't be in the segment of trucking that would attract those kinds of folks anyway.

I probably wouldn't accept a weanie (someone weaned off welfare), as most wouldn't appreciate the favor. I'd probably hire a felon if he had the right attitude, though. And some felons are probably on welfare, as it's no doubt a ##### to get a good, non-trucking job if you have a felony on your record. It's funny how a felon is a pariah in this society. He's kept away from good jobs, such as management positions or computer programming, yet he can get a truck driving job hauling hundreds of thousands of dollars of freight to and fro across long distances, many times without a lock. Employers at banks won't hire him because they're afraid he'll steal 100 bucks from the house, yet trucking companies will hire him knowing he may steal 100 THOUSAND bucks worth of freight. It's funny how "the powers that be" herd people into different professions and what criteria they use to do that herding.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

Wes, As a guy who is trying to figure out which company to sign on with (one which has it's own CDL school), Can you tell me why (in your opinion) I should go with Swift? Unfortunately, the recruiter I have been talking to on the phone hasn't given me any reasons why I should choose Swift over another company.

You don't need that recruiter to tell you why you should make that move. You can read here plenty of reasons why you shouldn't make that move. I'd listen to the tens of drivers who've taken the time to put up red flags about Swift.

Some of us learn from others who stick their fingers in running fans. We learn we don't want to repeat their mistakes, lest we enjoy getting our fingers whacked.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

move this topic to bad trucking company.

I am talking about OTR trucking company hiring criteria. Actually you would be surprised who can and can not be hired in regards to a felony. It all comes down to how old it is, and also is it a type of behavior that will likely be repeated. Sexual offenses, drugs, theft, and violence will be turned down. Althought they will look at a murder conviction that is older and possibly overlook (Odds of a repeat offense are slim).

To be honest, what are you looking to get. What type of money in the short term do you want to make, and where do you want to be long term? How much home time are you looking for, do you have family with children? Its hard not seeing family and can wear on a person. Each company can offer unique things for drivers, but would need to know what you want. Definately, like Tip said, review the forums. One thing you will notice there are bad comments about Swift, the majority of them being older. If you can tell me what you want, I can tell you if we would be good for you, or not. If not, I have absolutely no doubt that others on here can also help steer you to a company that will help match you up with what you want. I am just on here to give information and opinion, not recruit you.

Wes

I'm looking for a company who will pay for the schooling to get my CDL and training. I'm not interested in regional or dedicated runs for a year or two. I want OTR. Home time is not as important to me as getting miles and earning $$. I'm divorced and the kids are grown.

Short term I'd like to be grossing around $3,000 a month - Long term??? It would be nice to get to the $50,000 - $60,000 a year mark.

I need benefits and steady work.

I've talked to a Swift recruiter on the phone twice. All I have to do is say when I'm ready to go and I'll be in the next class (in Phoenix).

Good luck with SwiftCo, Cal. I wouldn't be doing what you're doing, but that's me. I learned to keep my fingers out of fan blades, both by watching others and by my own experience. Swift would be the last company I'd hire on with. Well, one of the last ones. C.R. England is probably a worse company than JerryCo. Just think "Swift with reefer wagons", meaning the problems of Swift plus all the problems of reefer added on.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

All of us should be using this publicly available data to demand better pay rates----


The impact on operating revenue of the average linehaul tractors reduction was partially offset by the 4.1% increase in revenue per loaded mile. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, revenue per loaded mile was $1.6195 compared to $1.5562 for the six months ended June 30, 2005.


I'm not sure what swift 1st,2nd , 3rd year drivers get at swift, but I know it's not close to 1.61-
A fair starting wage is rather low, but should ramp up VERY FAST once you've proven yourself.....

I keep hearing rates for co. drivers in the 44c range with 10+yrs experience....

Look, this job may be demanding, but the skill level is not going to Increase that dramtically after 10 years...

Use this data for bargaining power... bol(best of luck)

I understand where you're coming from Tip. After everything I've read, I did apply at Schneider. They did offer me a spot in their school as long as I relocate to Sacramento. I just can't do that right now. They also don't offer OTR to solo drivers, only teams. I'm not going with CR Englund, so as I see it, Swift might be my only choice for my situation.

Hopefully I can make a good go of it. Thanks for advice though, it is appreciated.