Must start another GOOD SWIFT thread...

[MGASSEL]

Originally Posted by Redcoat wife

Polk's posts have been very insightful and much appreciated. My husband goes to orientation next week. Does anybody know how it works as far as your home terminal is concerned? My job takes me all over the country so I live in an RV full-time. Every couple months I'm in a different part of the country, so when folks ask me where I'm from, I'm really not *from* anywhere. My mailing address is in Mississippi, the plates on my rig and truck are from Delaware, but I don't LIVE in either place. Does anybody see any possible issues if a driver wants to change his home terminal every few months or so?

If your hubby gets a decent dispatcher at his first terminal why change to a different terminal every so often he may not get another good dispatcher at any other terminals.
My advice is if he gets a good dispatcher then he should stay with that terminal.

[Redcoat wife]

OK so I'm really new to how all this dispatching and terminal stuff works. Are you allowed to pick the terminal you want to work out of? Or are you assigned a terminal based upon some criteria? And if he gets a good dispatcher, will that person be able to give him loads that will end up relatively close to whatever state I happen to be in when he's due a few days off providing he runs all 48? Since we are older, home time is not at the top of our priority list like it is with the younger men who have kids, etc. Right now, our priority is to do whatever we need to do to get rid of some credit card debt. But if he can end up somewhat near to where I'm working at that particular time, it would be nice to see each other now and then.

[CANGST]

You are usually assigned to the closest terminal to your house. It does not really matter what terminal you are assigned to though. You are not assigned a dispatcher, you are assigned a driver manager and they do not determine what loads you get. The planners do that. If you know far enough enough in advance they can get you home time wherever you want it.

[Road Dog]

I have no use for Swift,period. But if anyone is actually working there and happy with their job,I say God bless you and I hope things continue to stay good for you.

[HDkindaguy]

BTW: Polk,

Don't let anything get you down, dude. Keep us updated! If I can help in some way, lemme know.

[6pak4-two]

Originally Posted by polk salit

What's up HD!
Yes, I have found positive people get positive results! As far as sleep goes, that's one of the biggest changes we have to make. It's surprising how fast you're body can adapt though! Sleeping when the road is bumpy or when the jake brake keeps coming on can be a challenge, but you get used to sleeping in smaller increments pretty quick. Make sure you get naps when you can and you'll be fine! However, I really appreciate a non moving bed now!!! We have a pre-plan coming in on the qual com now, so I have to go! Until next time Polk Salit out!

Thought I'd check in on you and I see your doing well. Sleeping is tough but soon you will have your own truck and things will change. Keep up the good work I'll be look'n for ya down the road.

6pak

[desert_son]

Originally Posted by Redcoat wife

OK so I'm really new to how all this dispatching and terminal stuff works. Are you allowed to pick the terminal you want to work out of? Or are you assigned a terminal based upon some criteria? And if he gets a good dispatcher, will that person be able to give him loads that will end up relatively close to whatever state I happen to be in when he's due a few days off providing he runs all 48? Since we are older, home time is not at the top of our priority list like it is with the younger men who have kids, etc. Right now, our priority is to do whatever we need to do to get rid of some credit card debt. But if he can end up somewhat near to where I'm working at that particular time, it would be nice to see each other now and then.

I've known a lot of guys who take their "hometime" all over the country. One would take hometime in Florida to do some deep sea fishing, during the winter he'd take hometime in Colorado to do some sking. As it has been said as long as your husband gives plenty of notice (a week or two)and there is freight going to the area your in should be no problem for you two to hook up. There is no need to change home terminals.

[desert_son]

Originally Posted by hoosierace

If fine, my question is: Does Swift treat the Mentor-Student 42 day out like a team driver? My thoughts are to go 48/OTR to experience the big hills out west with someone sitting in the other seat verses doing it by myself.
Thanks

Swift teaches their mentors to start newbies out easy the first couple of weeks you should only do about 2700-3000 miles. Then as you get time behind the wheel and your mentor feels comfortable with you you start running more miles. By weeks 4-5 you should be running as a team. Some terminals have their Mentor teams only run 14 hrs total then sleep for 10 hrs. See vickw posts he is a manager down in Houston I believe. By your last week you should be running the truck. I know for mentors having their co-drivers take over that last week is hard I know it was for me. Now I know there are mentors you just throw you to thw wolves so to speak and you start teaming from day one, but the better ones will ease you into it. GL

[Redcoat wife]

OK so now I have another question. Without going into a lot of detail, we've gotten into a bit of a financial crunch and my goal is to get us out as quickly as possible. Realistically, how much money do you think you can live off of each week while on the road? I'd like to keep 3/4 of my honey's check each week for our bills and give him 1/4 of it to live on. Will that be enough? I don't want him to starve while on the road but we also need to take care of some stuff like right away. Also, how does Swift pay their drivers? Direct deposit? Comdata card? Obviously we'll find out next week when he goes to orientation but it would be kind of nice to know in advance.

[Steelaworkn]

I not driving yet, but my current job requires me to eat out once in a while. So, budget $10 bucks per meal if he's eating out all the time. If he keeps lunch meat, cheese and some hi protein snacks aboard, his meals just might drop in value but go up in nutrition. Got to do laundry if he's out for an extended period. He might even need available capitol for towes and scales...not sure on that one. Might even need available capitol for fuel...not sure there either.