To you current or recent Swift Drivers

To each their own opinion. Just like every cigar is a good cigar, and every cigar is a bad cigar. everyones taste is different. Some might be happy making $500 a week, where others think you're trash for accepting that much and being happy.

So, what you need to do, is sit down, and write out all the pros and cons for yourself. are you married? significant other? kids? dog? how long can you be away without getting a little 'homesick'? this is a lifestyle change...this isnt "just another job". You need to make that list, then decide what you need/want to make in order for it to be worth it.

and i would expect, once you go solo, to be out 3-4 weeks at a time. You might get the occasional run thru the house, but you'll only get a few hours off at most on those pass by's.

for me....when i was a company driver, i was content with $500-700 checks. I'm not married, no kids that i know of, no car payment, no house payment, just my cell/internet bill and my minimun car insurance payment. Where as those who look down on drivers who accept such a low paycheck, they probably CAN'T afford to accept checks like that. they're prob. married with 10 kids, and he probably has 10 more from 3 other girlfriends/wives. probably has a $300-400 car payment and a $2000 house payment and $500 credit card payment, etc. you get the picture.

the miles are there, but you have to be willing to bite the bullet sometimes and take those Bill SHATner runs that are only 30 miles or 85 miles that every driver sitting in the terminal has turned down twice already. (those will be the same drivers who will be crying the next day wondering why they are still sitting) You get your CDL, it is not a drivers license, it is a contractors license....you've gotta PROVE yourself to your driver manager. you've gotta STAND OUT. you can do that in as little as 3-6 months. after that, you'll start seeing 2200-2500 mi a week, and bringing home those $500-700 checks. Your first checks solo will really test you. I mean REALLY. There might be a week or two where you'll have made MORE on your mentors truck as a student. No really......but make sure that when you're MT, you are sending messages to your DM asking for another load. If you have a good DM, you wont have to send any messages, they'll already have one with your name on it. Just remember...the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

 

Pro's: they have the freight and that means the ability to give you the miles.

their equipment is pretty good.

cons: starting pay sucks when you compare it to other companies. HOWEVER, the other companies may or may not have as many contracts as swift has, so your miles will be lower. So thats the trade off. Paid more, but less miles...how much more are you really making.

unless you stand out, and your DM knows you by truck number or by your voice, you will just be a driver code.

depending on the terminal, disorganization. if there is one thing i cannot stand is wasting time becuse of someone elses incompetantce.

hope this helps.

 

Actually, the reason I decided to try and get on with Swift is when driving here in Northern most Ohio Rt 2 and I-80 I would look at the commercial trucks and which I saw the most of on those two highways. Swift, Falcon, FedEx, US Xpress, Crete, Martin pretty much in that order as far as who I saw the most of out there. Then I started checking into company sponsored training by those companies. Started reading everything in the DAC threads on prospective companies and it seems to me Swift is the best choice for me based on what I have read here. I start at the Millington Academy on Monday morning 12/13 should be on my way to Columbus Terminal right around Christmas and with any luck on a mentor's truck by around the first of the year. My wife and I have been barely making it on her paychecks for the last almost year and as long as my income is in the positive I'm GTG. I know I have to pay my dues and build up confidence in my DM to get the miles. And yea I will be taking those Shat Sammich type loads and don't care as long as the greasy sides down and the wheels are turning. That's all that matters in the long run anyhow.

 

Good attitude. Go get 'em!

 

Everything that Dick Jones has said is true. To make any more money you have to be super organized with your time management skills and need a DM that is interested in keeping you moving. That being said...you can not possible understand being away from home 3-4 weeks at a time till you have done it for awhile. Not questioning yours or anyones ability to understand the concept...it is just actually living the dream is difficult...if not impossible for some. the ability to shower, take a leak, let alone that sudden urge for number 2 while parked behind a receivers building some nite and no place to go...or so it seems...lol, also eating ( yes everyone wants all the 12 volt accessories but they cost money and take up space) just brushing your teeth is a chore. Not to mention clothes and making sure you change your socks everyday or you will end up with nasty feet...lol...oh did I mention it gets cold...and hot in the truck. Not a complete list here...just a few obvious observations from someone living the dream. The road is a hard place....and I love it...good luck and be prepared to battle the highway....oh yeah...I forgot to mention all the four wheelers and other truckers and rush hour traffic and.....the list goes on.....just sayin'

 

Oh yeah....my mind is starting to race thinking about the above....finding parking at nite....you will find yourself hung out to dry at first when you get out on your own. Getting set for the nite can be a real art form. If you get into a truckstop late...after 7-8 pm....you best have some balls and backing skillz...rest stops get filled quickly also....just sayin'

 

lol... man i cant wait to be hung out to dry...lol ... im nervous as all get out but i think just being calm thinking about things and doing ur best everything will be ok... and im thinkin im investing in a porta john for those oh no i gotta goes!...lol