Swift OTR routes

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ayaytc, Jun 12, 2022.

  1. ayaytc

    ayaytc Bobtail Member

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    Hey y’all.

    Not sure if this is the right category to post this question, but I am about to be a new driver, so here goes…

    I’m going to be starting at Swift after classes and mentoring. I’ll be operating out of the Phoenix terminal. I’m excited for OTR because I don’t have wife/kids so don’t really need to be home all that often. I do, however, have an elderly grandmother in New England. So I’d like to be able to see her from time to time while I’m trucking by doing my 34-hour resets close to there.

    So, my question is, does anybody know how possible this will be. Like, will I need to find OTR shipments going from Phoenix to New England? Does Swift even have shippers/receivers in New England (I noticed they don’t have any terminals there). Any advice on how to negotiate this with my TL and if he/she will be at all likely/able to organize me being in that region? Do I have to transfer to another terminal closer there?

    Hopefully somebody here who has worked for Swift has had similar requests, or anybody who has been in the industry a while knows how this sort of works logistically. Thanks!
     
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  3. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    In my experience if you tell dispatch you don't do New England you'll be sent there often..
     
  4. fairshake

    fairshake Road Train Member

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    Plenty of loads in that area and terminals in upstate NY. Lots of drivers do not like driving that area.
     
  5. SoulScream84

    SoulScream84 Road Train Member

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  6. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Being based out of Phoenix does not mean your loads will originate there. Being OTR means you will be all over the country and wherever you deliver a load will be fairly near your next pickup.

    You can request a home time anywhere you like, so you can always use that to see your granny.

    It is far easier to plan a home time than a 34 hour reset. The reset will happen wherever you are that you run out of hours on your 70, so not really easy to plan at a specific location.
     
  7. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    set your hometown where ever you want to spend time at.
    hometime doesn't have to be at your home terminal.
    set your first day you want off 2 days b4 you need it.
    BTW. me and Moosetek13 drive for swift
     
  8. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    2 days? That is some pretty tight timing. I always give at least 7 days notice.
     
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  9. Suspect Zero

    Suspect Zero Road Train Member

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    I took that to mean he meant if you need to start your home time say on a Friday, tell them you need to start it on a Wednesday (2 days before) to make sure you get there by when you need to be there, not to give them only 2 days notice that you want home time.
     
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  10. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    My bad.

    I usually get home on the day I set, sometimes the day after like this time.
    Timing can be tricky if you need to be home on a certain date for something important.
     
  11. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Swift goes everywhere. Usually only the drivers that live in NE want to go there, It is usually considered the hardest place to drive a big truck, not enough truck parking, traffic, bad weather, etc. You may need to start looking for truck parking now ;-). Hopefully you will be bobtail, without a trailer, which should make it easier to park. Don't just assume every neighborhood or the local cops allows truck parking on the street or in the neighborhood.
     
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