Hey folks,

I am wanting to get started in the Trucking industry, I have done some homework on several different companies to go to work for, and the one I like the most so far is SWIFT, now I have been reading this forum for about two weeks now and I know I am about to get hit with a lot of people bad talking the drivers for this outfit, that does not matter to me, I am cofident in MY ability to drive a truck, all I want to know is opinions on the company itself.

I read in there website, you can choose a area in which you drive, does anyone have a comment about that?

Thanks Roaddogwannabe

They're big enough, and the turn over is high enough, it wouldn't surprise me.

As for the company itself.. I had a friend who drove for them for a year. She'd have left after 3 months but she had to pay off her training. Her story is that the schedules she was assigned were unmeetable without .. um.. creative logging. It eventually cost Swift a truck and trailer, when her teammate put the truck into the guardrail and totaled everything.

I think she's off in the mountains selling beads or flowers or some other new-age yah-yah, now. The wreck really shook her up.

Thanks Lurchgs,

I am looking for a career change, and I have always wanted to drive.

I thank you for the imput, but I will not fudge or do anything illigal, for anyone...

Good on you. In my opinion, it's not that it's illegal - the issue is one of safety. And that, I won't deliberately screw up for anybody.

Back on the subject of Swift - I dont' think the complaints on this (or any other) board are strictly about the drivers. If you think about it, the reputation of the drivers is a direct reflection of the reputation of the company.

In this case, the company wants bodies behind the wheel, and doesn't care much about the qualifications of said body. As a result, they have a lot of rookies and the like driving, who, once they have experience, take their first opportunity to go elsewhere.

Sure, there are probably plenty who stay, too.. but the turnover rate is still huge. That, all by itself, should set off alarms and raise red flags.

An alternative is .. check out local companies. Typically construction or the like. Fuel haulers come to mind. Those are actually probably considered "local" jobs, but if you choose right, it might be closer to a cross between local and regional - home every night, but driving all over the countryside (not trapped in the big city all day with your leg going numb on the clutch)

Pay might be better, too.

Yes you are right safety is #1.

And on the matter of companies, I guess I just need to get my foot in the door and go for it. I just don't want to get screwed on getting impossible runs, and then getting ######-canned and having to pay back tuition with no job.

I have been in my career now going on 20 years (I started this company when I was 15) So when I leave, there is no looking back...