Career Change at 53

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by moneymac, Dec 16, 2010.

  1. moneymac

    moneymac Bobtail Member

    30
    5
    Dec 13, 2010
    mesa az
    0
    I have been reading through the forum for about a week or so, and joined or registered two or three days ago. I introduced myself in the welcome wagon, click here for my intro and you will understand the career change.

    Anyway, after reading through some of the forums and threads it seem as if there is a lot of negativity towards swift.

    I called the 5 largest trucking companies and swift was the only one to return my call and since the took the time to call and set up everything I went with them.

    Since I started in their academy in Phoenix AZ on 11-22-10, graduated and got my CDL on 12-10-10 Finished orientation on 12-15 and am doing tarp and tie down class, yes I am going flatbed, which I will finish tomorrow, I have not experienced any negativity yet.

    I am really, really, hoping they are not as bad as some of the things I have been reading. I was coded today and am suppose to call tomorrow to see if and when I w mentor/trainer.

    I will update this thread regularly to let everyone know if I do in fact experience any problems. Like I said, I have to this point, not have had any problems with them.

    Every instructor I have had to this point keeps reiterating that to succeed at swift and be able to make money the keys are communication (with your DM) and honesty.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Lady K

    Lady K Road Train Member

    I look forward to reading your thread - Hubby and I are also going through a career change :D but going refrigerated not flatbed. Welcome from (at least for now) Sacramento, CA
     
  4. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

    7,031
    8,621
    Sep 3, 2010
    0
    I would not worry too much about all the negativity. You can hear pros and cons about any carrier. It is unfortunate that those who are happy will usually not post, but those who are unhappy can't seem to stop.
     
    lupe Thanks this.
  5. Jbrake1960

    Jbrake1960 Light Load Member

    162
    132
    Nov 15, 2010
    Las Vegas
    0
    Dont believe everything you read. Since you havent worked for any carrier yet, its all about your attitude and work ethic. Just stay positive and youll probably be happy no matter where you go. Everybody has to start somewhere.
     
  6. Katey

    Katey Medium Load Member

    513
    400
    Nov 17, 2010
    Valdosta, GA
    0
    Like the above posters have said, don't trust everything you read. There are multiple well known posters on this forum who work for swift (both company and L/O) that I know of that are quite happy with Swift.

    Keep the positive attitude and I think you will do great with Swift.

    Looking forward to following your journey :)


    Katey
     
  7. fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

    276
    54
    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
    0
    swift gets a bad rep, mostly cause of all the trucks you see in the ditch got that swift name on em
     
  8. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

    5,811
    5,551
    May 28, 2010
    0
    How many trucks have you seen in the ditch? How many of them were Swift? ...

    In a year if I had to name one company that I've seen the most, it would be Fed Ex ... mostly though it is independents and the smaller companies.

    As for Swift I've yet to actually see a Swift truck in the ditch.
     
    Lilbit and just lil me Thank this.
  9. xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Road Train Member

    4,221
    6,415
    Nov 17, 2010
    Winter Haven, Florida
    0
    Warning! This is NOT a knock on Swift. But I've noticed on recent threads that a few Swift grads have gone as long as a month waiting for a trainer. Hopefully you'll get on with a trainer right quick but prepare yourself for the POSSIBILITY of an extended wait. And this situation is obviously not exclusively Swift. You, like every graduate that has come before you, will be chomping at the bit to hit the road and rightfully so. I assure you I will be also. Just be patient and your time will come.
     
  10. celticwolf

    celticwolf Road Train Member

    1,527
    642
    Oct 10, 2010
    Kittrell, NC
    0
    I heard tell one of those fed-ex doubles careened off the road in st. Louis and over turned a police car trying to redirect traffic off a bad spot on the interstate..

    Can't say I ever saw a swift truck in a ditch.. I readily admit I was to busy trying to make sure I didn't see a Central truck in a ditch ( my trainers )

    Those that are happy with their big companies don't have time to post, except for a few of us. :biggrin_255:
     
  11. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

    16,583
    12,232
    Aug 4, 2008
    Let me check my logbook
    0
    I've seen Swift and Fed-Ex both in the ditch. Just on Monday saw a Swift truck that lay down on it's side in the median to take a nap I guess. I've seen a lot of others in the ditch too. You're right about Fed-Ex though. They seem to be the worst. But, as a Fed-Ex driver told my hubby once, 'They'll just buy me another truck.'
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.