Originally Posted by cat 500

Originally Posted by thestoryteller

I have no doubt they have some great drivers........

That is why I orginally proposed coming up with some more "driver friendly" acroynms...... can you think of any?

Originally Posted by cat 500

Originally Posted by thestoryteller

I was thinking more along the lines of So What If ......... or Screw With (Driver).....

Just thinking out loud......... lol

Maybe they could help in the Last Post Wins area?

Originally Posted by kevinm

We had to replace the bulb for the turn signal one day at a truck stop. I could almost hear the cb chatter... "Hey lookie over there, how many SWIFT drivers does it take to change a bulb?" We were all standing there watching our instructor. And the day one of the other students couldn't back into a parking spot "Come on Swift I hope your not as bad playing with your girlfriend as you are backing"

Originally Posted by kevinm

Well here is the deal. Due to my driving record (couple tickes and a fender bender within the last 3 years) most of the companies I contacted were not interested in training me so I have decided to take Swift's offer.

Now all they have to do is confirm my driver history.


Here is exactly what I have been told by the drivers that I personally know at Swift (the recruiter I'm dealing with tells me the same thing so everyone is on the same page)...

• Training is for 23 days & it costs $150
• There is no pay during training (duhh)
• There is a 500 dollar sign on bonus that I will get after completing my first solo dispatch.
• Once I complete training and go on the road with a trainer for 6 weeks, my pay will be $450 gross for 4 weeks, and then $500 gross for the next 2 weeks while on the road with the trainer.
• For loads over 300 miles they pay 26 cents a mile, but loads under 300 miles are more than 30 cents a mile
• DM's and Dispatchers get productivity bonuses for keeping their drivers driving - so they have an incentive to keep you going.
• Drivers get a monthly productivity bonus each month of up to $250 based on the amount of miles driven.
• After one year of driving I will be making at least 35 cents a mile.
• Loaded dispatches from 25-99 miles will also receive a $25.00 premium
• If you are available to drive but have been idle for 24 hours or more due to no loads being available or the truck is broke down you get $50 a day.
• If you have to help load/unload you get paid but I forgot how much
• Stop pay is $15 per stop for each additional stop

The initial training is around 3 weeks and then your on the road for 6 weeks with a trainer with NO guaranteed home time. They do pay weekly so I'll have to take enough cash for food for at least 4 weeks (until I get my first paycheck). My little $650 tax refund should take care of all that.

I will be starting training either on the 14th or the 21st.

I will keep you all posted. I may not have a computer during training but will be home on Sundays and I'll do my best to update you.

Originally Posted by bigdogslim

I was wondering how jp was doing, and I see kevinm has not been around in awhile. I finished with the mentor and waiting for a truck. Enjoying the break, and getting caught up on the sci-fi shows. Finding a good trailer can be a challenge at times, we have fixed small things but no doors hanging off their hinges. Some drivers do not seem to care and leave the problems for the next driver. The trainer I had would fix everything he could, lights,. mudflaps etc. He would climb up the door hinges to get on the roof to fix the top lights. Thats why it is good to carry around a few spare parts it might help to get you on the road again.

Originally Posted by kevinm

Well here is the deal. Due to my driving record (couple tickes and a fender bender within the last 3 years) most of the companies I contacted were not interested in training me so I have decided to take Swift's offer.

Now all they have to do is confirm my driver history.

Here is exactly what I have been told by the drivers that I personally know at Swift (the recruiter I'm dealing with tells me the same thing so everyone is on the same page)...

• Training is for 23 days & it costs $150
• There is no pay during training (duhh)
• There is a 500 dollar sign on bonus that I will get after completing my first solo dispatch.
• Once I complete training and go on the road with a trainer for 6 weeks, my pay will be $450 gross for 4 weeks, and then $500 gross for the next 2 weeks while on the road with the trainer.
• For loads over 300 miles they pay 26 cents a mile, but loads under 300 miles are more than 30 cents a mile
• DM's and Dispatchers get productivity bonuses for keeping their drivers driving - so they have an incentive to keep you going.
• Drivers get a monthly productivity bonus each month of up to $250 based on the amount of miles driven.
• After one year of driving I will be making at least 35 cents a mile.
• Loaded dispatches from 25-99 miles will also receive a $25.00 premium
• If you are available to drive but have been idle for 24 hours or more due to no loads being available or the truck is broke down you get $50 a day.
• If you have to help load/unload you get paid but I forgot how much
• Stop pay is $15 per stop for each additional stop

The initial training is around 3 weeks and then your on the road for 6 weeks with a trainer with NO guaranteed home time. They do pay weekly so I'll have to take enough cash for food for at least 4 weeks (until I get my first paycheck). My little $650 tax refund should take care of all that.

I will be starting training either on the 14th or the 21st.

I will keep you all posted. I may not have a computer during training but will be home on Sundays and I'll do my best to update you.