I'm a Paramedic looking for a career change. I have always been very interested in trucking and I think I'm going to go for it. I think I have read everything on this site and I am aware of everyone's thoughts on Swift but I have a question. I was at a truck stop in Dunn NC today and I was talking to a Swift driver who said that things were turning around at Swift and thing's really weren't that bad anymore. He said he had been driving "for years" and had worked for much worse. So, are they still really that bad and are you aware of any changes taking place? He was certainly in a nice setup...fairly new Volvo which was pretty spotless. The Swift equipment I've seen lately looks good. Possibly a change worth pursuing?

I am also looking into Turbo's favorite, Schneider but as you can imagine, Swift was the first to contact me so I'm looking at it with an open mind but still being extremely careful because of everyone's thoughts about this company.

One last thing...is England better than Swift or is one just as bad as the other?

Thanks for y'alls help...this site is wonderful.

Keep in mind that Swift is a rumor mill and has been for years. I would sugest you talk with more drivers that are with Swift and a question you might ask is how long they have been with the company. Swift is known for it's high turn over rate in the driver area...

I give them BOTH the thumbs down, based on all that I have learned about them.

Swift has announced a pay increase to try and attract experienced drivers, but I do not have any evidence that this has translated to what they compensate newbies, nor have they amended the way they train them.

Don't be fooled by the driver you spoke with. Swift is not a good company to work for. They don't treat their drivers with respect and they will rob you of every penny they can. I recently drove for them. When I was given my first truck I was broke down for about month straight. In this short time frame I was given three different trucks. The company refused to pay me the break down pay they talked about in orientation. Many times I was stranded in truck that wouldn't start in the middle of winter. I even had to sleep in a day cab one time with my head on the steering wheel! They never did pay me back for the hotel rooms when I had to get them.

As far as their trucks go...yes they are sharp. They look really good going down the road. I'm talking about the new Volvo's they use or course. Just remember...All that glitters isn't gold!! Those trucks are referred to as "disposable trucks" by many drivers and mechanics. The have many electrical problems along with other problems that will cause you to have a constant headache. My lastest truck was a 2006 Volvo and the one before that was 2004 Volvo. The 2006 was ok at first, but when it started breaking down, it all went downhill from there. Those trucks are junk!

I know 3 people who went to work for them and within a year all 3 are presently at the jobs they had before they went to work for them.

In the case of one I take what he says with a grain of salt, he's a wild and crazy guy and I don't believe swift trucks will do 110 mph. The other 2 were more level-headed and felt they were screwed over, it wasn't what they thought it would be etc. but I sensed insufficient home-time was the single biggest reason for their leaving.

I do remember all 3 constantly talking about the truck itself before they went to work there. You would've thought they were gonna be flying the space shuttle. I think the lesson to take is ignore the recruiters when they start describing the job, today we have google, and I'll be damned if it doesn't know everything about everything.

There's more to a company than a nice shiny truck. Just remember, you can put doo-doo in a box and wrap it all nice with a big shiny bow on top, but when you get right down to it -- it's still doo-doo.

Just my .02.

Very good. I like that one. It's to the point, and it sizes it up nicely.

Another favorite of mine is;

"You can't polish a turd"...

Exactly....speak with more than one swift driver.....there are those drivers who used to work for swift that will bad mouth the company all day long...for example the gentleman below....do yourself a favor and talk to a few different drivers CURRENTLY employed by the company...contrary to what the guy below says...swift does reimburse you for hotel rooms, they do pay layover pay as well as breakdown pay....all it takes to get these is for the driver to do his job properly (a novel concept I know) by turning in all recipts with the proper trip pack...and following up with his DM should he not get reembursed in his next pay check.....and yes it is true Swift has a high turnover rate....even higher than JB and Scheinder....but we also have a much more lax hiring policy....I suspect TruckDriver05 may not have left Swift under the best of terms....and should he be willing to produce his driver code I would be happy to verify his story....pls feel to PM me with any questions you may have...thanks....Hemisareslow...Swift Transportation Driver Manager.

You know I appreciate the fact that hemisareslow is in here trying to defend Swift. I understand that you love your job, good for you.

Now let me tell you about my time with that company. I had a dispatcher alot like you. He thought he was always right and I was always wrong. Which I took in stride for over a year. I didn't know any better so I just did my job. Even if it meant me running illegally.

Anyway, he called me up one day and told me he was routing me to Memphis to turn my truck in. The lease was up and I would be getting another one when I got there. So I get to Memphis on the thursday before labor day weekend. I was told when I got there that they had no trucks and it would be tuesday before I got one. So I call up mr. knowitall and explain what is going on. He tells me to sit there until tuesday or ride the grayhound back to Eden North Carolina to get another truck. I couldn't get on a greyhound because of my dog so I stayed in Memphis.

Tuesday rolls around and still no truck. I sat in Memphis until the end of the week. At that point I called my girlfriend and had her drive 10 hours to come and get me. When I got home I went up to the terminal and had a little talk with my dispatcher. I was given a new truck that day. I went back out for two week and waited until I was paid for all the days I sat. As soon as I was reemburssed for everything I quit.

You might think Swift is a great company, but alot of us don't. Just to let you know I am not a whinner or complainer. I have a superior rating on my dac from Swift and USA.

Hello Hemisareslow. Wow, you sure do try hard to defend Swift Transportation. It's great to know that you are a loyal "Company Guy or Gal" . This website is a tool to give opinions and recieve information. I think it's somewhat humorous that you are so defensive about a Company that is known for such a bad reputation. Your post shows that you are a "know it all" narrowminded individual. You automatically assumed that I was a lazy guy that didn't do my job and felt the need to bad talk Swift for no reason. Who has time for that? I guess you do since you sit behind a desk all day and punch #'s into the computer. The truth is...I'm a young WOMAN that grew up with the dream of one day driving a "big truck". I'm far from lazy and I DID DO my job! I came to work EVERYDAY with a smile on my face ready to work. I was complimented on the regular by fellow employees and by customers. I don't go around complaining for no reason. All of my post are just stating the facts of what happened to me as an employee of Swift Transportation.
I know Swift is suppose to to pay back for hotels, breakdowns and other things, but that doesn't mean they do. Maybe you are a great DM that really cares about and takes care of drivers, If that's the case then I commend you for it. However, not everyone is perfect! Not all DM's do their jobs and not all drivers do either. You should know that I kept very good track of all my paperwork and everything was turned in properly. I still went for several weeks without pay waiting for the break down pay to get "approved". How hard can it be to prove this?
They know that the truck was broke down and not going anywhere!
I was left stranded on several occasions in trucks that were broke down. I had three different trucks within my first month of employment! NO, I didn't tear them up either just incase your narrowmind is thinking that. The first truck was "suppose" to be a new truck with low miles and be extremely clean. I rode on a Greyhound bus all night long to pick up this truck. When I got there the truck had broken parts and the smell inside was unbearable! The terminal were I picked it up couldn't do anything about it, because they didn't have a shop on site. I had to drive the truck to the next nearest terminal and get it fixed. Upon arrival at this terminal I was told to fix the truck myself. The mechanic even told me to take the dash apart and fix the 12v plug. I realize that the plug not working is a minor thing, but the driverside mirror was broken and there was a huge crack in the windshield. It's a good thing that I didn't get an inspection by DOT!
I could go on and on about my experience with Swift, but there's not much point. What's done is done. I hope your experience has a company employee stays as great as it is now.
May I ask what terminal you work out of? I would love to refer any new "victims " of Swift employment to you. I'm sure you would take care of them and do your job "by the books".