SWIFT or Central newbie here

Flip a coin bud. They are both probably going to run the #### out of ya right out of the gate because you will be at their lowest pay rate.As for hometime, I'd guess Swift would probably be able to get you home quicker due to their enormous freight base. But also remember the more your home, the less you'll make. That is the reason I beat the pavement right out of school and hooked on with an LTL carrier. Was paid $16.50/hr right out of the shoot with OT after 40.(It can be done as long as you aren't afraid of some labor ) That way you'll be home every night....

 

I rather work for Burger King than work for those companies..

 

If your highest priority is home time, with all respect, find another type of work. Recruiters will tell you what you want to hear but the truth is, especially for rookies, you will not get home much and home time gets eaten up with preparation to get back out. Seriously think this through. SORRY if this sounds like you're not welcome on the road, you are! Just make sure it's what you and your family wants.

 

Hey quadhelix,
Don't listen to what guys like Round2 are saying, it's a bunch of crap. There are companies that will take you out of school and get you running local so you can have plenty of hometime. These guys that say if you want hometime you are in the wrong business are fools. I started working local from day one and never looked back. The ones saying you can't do that are the ones too lazy to do the footwork and find the jobs. Just like Guitar Man said, you beat the pavement and find those jobs, they are out there. Good luck man.

 

I guess the question is 'Do you want to do OTR or local?' These are two different animals and don't confuse them. If you go over the road from Cali you will probably get home every 2-3 weeks. You may also find a local gig with an OTR co. in Cali, just depends on what you want to do. But remember if you go OTR you wil NOT be home every night. If you have young kids and a young wife i suggest you find a local job. It is very tough to be on the road when everyone wants you home. JUst my .02.

 

swift has a family plan where you can pick your home time, on two weeks and off two weeks...

 

Central you can take home time after 3 weeks out no problem, they wont get you home on that exact date, sometimes up to half a week past but they do work with you. But with them, don't expect to run southern ca freight a lot, you'll be in the east coast midwest most of the time

And as others stated, if you want/need to be home in all honesty this job probably won't work for you. home time is a luxury the company offers they don't view it as a neccessity

 

theres a couple of guys in my class right, that dont quite realize how long you will be gone on the road. i think i see a school bus in thier future!!

 

Good luck with whatever you choose!