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Diary of a current Swift flatbed driver

Discussion in 'Swift' started by schmud0811, Jun 6, 2010.

Page 24 of 82
  1. Dec 16, 2010 #231
    solarbronco

    solarbronco Light Load Member

    73
    55
    Dec 16, 2010
    Boise, Idaho
    0
    I am really enjoying reading this whole thread. I live in Boise, Idaho and am thinking of going to work for Swift. I may take my own class here in Boise and then try to join on Flatbed. Do you think Swift could get me home to Boise very often? And, could I get the miles out of Boise?
     
    solarbronco, Dec 16, 2010
    solarbronco, Dec 16, 2010
    #231
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  3. Dec 16, 2010 #232
    schmud0811

    schmud0811 Medium Load Member

    379
    283
    Jun 2, 2010
    Phoenix,AZ
    0
    Call swift and ask for the flatbed division an ask.
     
    schmud0811, Dec 16, 2010
    schmud0811, Dec 16, 2010
    #232
  4. Dec 18, 2010 #233
    schmud0811

    schmud0811 Medium Load Member

    379
    283
    Jun 2, 2010
    Phoenix,AZ
    0
    Made it out of laredo on friday, i had to take a van load. They had me deadhead to portland for a load of cotton. Got their at 1705..they close at 1700.....ugh, no fault on my part.I left as soon as i got the load assignment,didn't stop planner said it was cool because they got the loads last minute.
    Anyhow i go their this morning to pick up the load and got charged 50 bucks to get loaded. NO COMCHECK, CHECK, cash only!!! I said hmmm.....only one guy working, 50 bucks a load. So i called the planner he gave me a PO# for the money. A couple other swiftys didn't want to wait and just paid up and rolled. While i sat their for the PO i saw 7 trucks get loaded
    I'm not the brightest but 7x50 is 350. It took him less than 20min to load 1 truck. I think i need to be a forklift driver!!!
    So i got the load,paid the forklift rip off fee and heading to the Wilmington drop yard.
    These new flatbed trucks don't to too well on fuel pulling a van trailer. Currently getting 5.9mpg trip average, but i do weigh 78,000lbs
    Sorry again for no cool pictures but its just a van full of cotton.
     
    schmud0811, Dec 18, 2010
    schmud0811, Dec 18, 2010
    #233
    dodge24v and alex94 Thank this.
  5. Dec 22, 2010 #234
    AZS

    AZS Honk if anything falls off

    2,912
    1,303
    Sep 30, 2010
    PHX, AZ
    0
    You still driving that columbia with the shortened sleeper schmud? Did they give you a choice after you got off your mentor truck? The volvo trucks have the full length sleeper I think but shorter height?
     
    AZS, Dec 22, 2010
    AZS, Dec 22, 2010
    #234
  7. Dec 26, 2010 #235
    miguel28

    miguel28 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Oct 16, 2010
    Fort Worth, Texas
    0
    Goodness, am i glad to read a post about Swift that is interesting and positive. I am interested in starting a trucking career and would like to start in the flatbed division with Swift, since i enjoy the work and excercise. I understand by other postings advising about not recommending to start this way but I like my chances.

    I would like to know if it is possible to start the cdl training with Swift in the flatbed div. I appreciate your comments please.
     
    miguel28, Dec 26, 2010
    miguel28, Dec 26, 2010
    #235
  8. Dec 30, 2010 #236
    Papi1960R

    Papi1960R Light Load Member

    72
    36
    Jun 24, 2010
    Tucson,AZ
    0
    would like to start in the flatbed division with Swift, since i enjoy the work and excercise. I understand by other postings advising about not recommending to start this way but I like my chances.

    I first drove back in 94-95, went from driver school straight to TMC. Since I never drove a van or reefer, I did not know any difference. Just be a sponge and take in everything you are shown in CDL class, Load securement class and from your trainer. My trainer at TMC was a drunk:biggrin_25523:, but he knew the Flatbed business inside and out:biggrin_25525:. I paid attention and did very well. Went back in the Army and retired in 2007, now driving again. You can do it, if you want to.
     
    Papi1960R, Dec 30, 2010
    Papi1960R, Dec 30, 2010
    #236
  9. Dec 30, 2010 #237
    schmud0811

    schmud0811 Medium Load Member

    379
    283
    Jun 2, 2010
    Phoenix,AZ
    0
    Ok sorry for not posting for a while, been home for xmas ON TIME!!!!! Got a load of drums of moly yesterday in Green Valley,AZ took them to Rancho Dominguez, CA next to Compton ,CA sitting at the Wilmington,CA terminal now. I guess we are getting van loads out of California. Their is 3 of us that did the same load down here.
    Pictures of the load to follow!!
    Pretty good example of using v boards and california rope.
     
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    #237
    alex94 Thanks this.
  10. Dec 30, 2010 #238
    schmud0811

    schmud0811 Medium Load Member

    379
    283
    Jun 2, 2010
    Phoenix,AZ
    0
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    this load was 19 pallets of 55 gallon drums of moly. They use it to harden metal i think. Anyhow i used v boards, 12 straps 2 lengths of california, rope.
    Didn't take a picture of the tarp job, had some nice wind going spent more time chasing my tarps around than bunjing them down!!
     
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    #238
  11. Dec 30, 2010 #239
    Jerry82

    Jerry82 Bobtail Member

    7
    2
    Dec 19, 2010
    Cleveland,TX
    0
    exscuse my inexperience. But what is california rope? Thanks
     
    Jerry82, Dec 30, 2010
    Jerry82, Dec 30, 2010
    #239
    alex94 Thanks this.
  12. Dec 30, 2010 #240
    schmud0811

    schmud0811 Medium Load Member

    379
    283
    Jun 2, 2010
    Phoenix,AZ
    0
    just load rated rope its orange and black
     
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    schmud0811, Dec 30, 2010
    #240
    alex94 and Jerry82 Thank this.
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