information overload?

Hmmm, they haven't changed their script in over 10 years!

 

I started with Swift in 1995 and drove for 3 years before going to college. Worked in the medical field until 2012 when burnout occurred. Came back to Swift and just finished my 2 years and paying off/getting payed off for CDL school last weekend. Swift as a company NEVER did me wrong. I allowed a few out of home terminal dispatchers F me over and I had one DM that would call my cell if I stopped with more than 30 mins drive time left and tell me to get rolling even if I was safely parked in a truck stop with food, shower and security. By not sticking up for myself I was often stopped on the side of some 2 lane highway in BFE with no facilities of any kind. But it was MY FAULT for not using the magic word NO! And if your DM or dispatch wants you to do something unsafe or you don't like on the cell phone tell them to send it via Qualcom where all messages are saved. They will back off as they don't want any paper trail of their misconduct.

My new company is 14 days out, 2-3 home and I get to keep the truck here in Vegas. No park and clean out every home time like Mira Loma. I swear I never got a better truck after home time once. Go with Swift, do your time, get your miles then if it's not a good fit, move on to something more to your liking. I have yet to meet a happy CRE rookie driver.

 

Very true. I've helped out some planners in various areas and they usually got me a little extra cash and a nice run out after. Though I do say beware "Planners Specials" because they are often "Planers are Desparate" and a screwing.

 

Swift is what you make of it. Will you get rich no will you be able to pay bills yes. Also the guy talking about swift tanker. I have heard about this before but i thought it was a unicorn story. Didnt really think swift hauled tankers.

 

DOT definition of tankers has changed. For example, transporting liquid totes with gallons above a certain threshold will turn a dry van by definition into a "tanker" and you will need a tank endorsement on your CDL to legally pull it. Does not need to be a tanker trailer in the classic sense that you would typically see on the road.

 

Others may disagree with me, but I'm not sure it really matters which trucking company you pick for your first. You will be abused, tested, neglected, overwhelmed, and a student, no matter what you pick. You will make a penny or two more or less here or there, but you won't get "good" miles until you prove to your company that you can pick up and deliver on time, across time zones, and different weather conditions.

Make the most of it, listen to your mentor/trainer/engineer (or whatever other names are used) and don't spend all your time in drivers lounges listening to the griping that goes on. Winter is coming on and it will be a very tough transition. But Spring comes up next, so enjoy whatever decision you make.

 

That's some of the BEST advice I've seen given on this forum. Well done

 

Or you could fall into something lol.
I say this because my company is training 2 guys now. They went to truck driving school on their own, got class A's, and never went on the road. They have been working as local delivery drivers in non cdl trucks for my company. We needed a few drivers, so my boss decided to train them. They are with our drivers for 7 weeks, then will go on the same pay scale as all our other drivers. Making around 50k a year, home every day.
It is rare, and it does not happen allot. But some people end up in the right place at the right time.