Swift Question

Discussion in 'Swift' started by KingObeat, Oct 23, 2011.

  1. KingObeat

    KingObeat Light Load Member

    61
    4
    Oct 17, 2011
    California
    0
    How many days or weeks does Swift usually make new drivers work?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. dracon

    dracon Light Load Member

    79
    116
    Jan 8, 2008
    new york
    0
    As a student on a mentors truck you will be out for 240 driving hours, this could take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Once solo I believe the minimum time out is 2 weeks.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2011
  4. KingObeat

    KingObeat Light Load Member

    61
    4
    Oct 17, 2011
    California
    0
    How many days off after 2 weeks?
     
  5. neal79

    neal79 Medium Load Member

    368
    212
    Feb 9, 2011
    Chicago,IL
    0
    You get one day at home for each week out. When you first get off your mentors truck it may be more than that depending on truck availability When you are out plan on working every day, even when I'm low on hours they usually seem to find some sort little run I can do..
     
  6. whosedog

    whosedog Medium Load Member

    626
    213
    Mar 18, 2009
    fair lawn nj
    0
    That day off per week is what most companies allow.Just bear in mind,this is unpaid time off,just like the 34 hour reset you get after 6 days of driving.If you are close enough to your home,you can take the reset at your house,this is why regional is usually favored by drivers,more home time.
    So for 2 weeks out you get 2 days of home time;if regional you can do the 2 resets at home+bank 2 days home time.
     
  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    13,776
    16,234
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    But bear in mind, if you take more than 3 days off you will likely have to turn in your truck. And it could take several days or more to get assigned to a new one once your home time is up.

    I usually stay out 4-5 weeks, then take 3 days home time.
     
  8. neal79

    neal79 Medium Load Member

    368
    212
    Feb 9, 2011
    Chicago,IL
    0
    Think that depends on your DM and how good a worker they think you are, I get away wit 4 days home after 5-6 weeks out. I run my ### off right up against my 70 always and have never been asked to give up the truck yet.

    I do see more resets in my future right now with plus one, had 10 hours or so on duty almost every day since that really kicked in. I'm starting tomorrow with only 12 hrs and only get 3 back the next day and about 5 te next so should be interesting to see if they reset me or string me along with little runs as usual. I had a load cancel on me last week after I sat around all day on it burning my 14 thats why the short day. Really bummed bout that too, 2600 miles, Baltimore to southern California. Usually though I have been running 7 days a week but one or two are more like 1/2 days.
     
  9. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    13,776
    16,234
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    That could be. I've never tried to get more than 3, but my DM's have always said to take what I want.

    Truth be told, I'm quite ready to hit the road after 3 days off. I start to go stir crazy.
     
  10. KingObeat

    KingObeat Light Load Member

    61
    4
    Oct 17, 2011
    California
    0
    One day off a week is what I would ideally like to get.
     
  11. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    13,776
    16,234
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    If you're running all 48 that will be hard to do. You can't even request home time until you are 12 days out. And even then, it is a crap shoot as to whether you will get home on the day you request. There has to be a load from where you are to where you are wanting to go, and sometimes that takes some flexibility.

    OTR is not like a regular job, it is a totally different lifestyle. There are no set times that you work, or that you will be home. In fact, your primary home is a small tin (well, maybe plastic or fiberglass) box called a sleeper berth.

    And that is no different for 'new' drivers vs. 'old' drivers. That is just the way OTR is.

    You might snag a dedicated route, something regional or local, that will get you home fairly often though.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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