Swift, Stevens or Covenant? Decisions, decisions...

I have done extensive investigating on truckers forum as well talk to drivers at truck stops. I got a prehire from all three companies you ask about. There is a great deal of negative comments about Swift. However I have talked with a few Swift drivers at truck stops and none really had any complaints. I did find that they have good overall and affordable health insurance benefits. Swift has a bad reputation in the industry. I'm not too knowledgeable about Covenant. As for Stevens, I have elected to go with them. I chose Stevens because I feel they by far have the very best training program of all the companies I have looked into. I will say Stevens will expect you to stay out 5 weeks at a time and home 5 days. They also have nice equipment. My suggestion would be really dig into the forums on here and do your investigating. Go to some truck stops and talk to drivers of the company you are interested in. Also, don't bother the drivers while they are at the fuel island. Do you want OTR, regional, or dedicated? It may be easier to get regional with Swift or Covenant. Which company will give you the most miles? Swift has terminals all over the country which could be a benefit to a driver. Stevens only has one in Dallas. Not sure about Covenant. If your decision on a company proves not to be the best match for you tough it out for a year, learn as much as you can from the company and find one that suits you better. Hopefully some drivers with real time with these companies will jump in and give their comments. Good luck to you.

 

surferpaulie KCJ pretty much laid it out for you as for Swift and Stevens. I would argue Stevens having a better Training program, not saying Stevens is shabbey or Swift is better. Stevens does have supperior equipment though. That staying out 5 weeks stuff ain't for me. That is why I would choose Swift over Stevens. Another differance in Stevens and Swift is that Stevens does Reefer climate controled stuff, Swift is all dry Freight. Good luck to you

 

Personally, the order in which you listed them. Best of Luck !!!

Any of the 3 should be a learning experience !!!!

 

SmokeMac I certainly respect your opinion.

 

Covenant is to be avoided. Never worked for them but I did work a few years at a company that Covenant purchased (Star), and within a few months, they totally screwed-up Star.

 

KCJ didn't mean that Stevens isn't a good company or doesn't have a fine trainig program. I respect Stevens as a company and they haul food so you realley don't have to worry about it slowing down much. Just saying me having famialy staying out 5 weeks isn't for me. If push came to shove, before going on public assitance I would stay out 52 weeks to take care of my famialy.
A little advice to you all which ever company you all go to. Do the research inorder to detemine what eaxactly you want to do with your CDL. Get all yourendorsments ( Tanker, Doubles and HAZMAT). What ever Company you decide to go with stay with them a year or what ever the time require ment it is for the Job you really want. When I went to Truck driving school I wanted to get into gas hauling. So I got all my endorsements then I got my experiance and now I haul Gas For a living. I did a little Job Hopping and regret it. However I am Hauling Gas, making good money, and home eveynight. I just think I would have been more marketable if I would have stayed with the carrier that hired me right out of school.
KCJ thank youfor respecting my opinion again I meant no disrespect to you in your decision for Stevens

 

I don't know where the idea that Swift only has dry freight came from but it's very wrong. I know it for a fact. We pull reefers, it's all we pull on our fleet.

 

Thanks SmokeMac. I never detected any disrespect at all. I tip my hat to you for pulling a missile around behind you all day! That takes guts and good driving skills!
Surferpaulie you may want to check out Watkins-Shepard. I have been reading good things about them.

 

I really looked into all the training companies out there. I did my school at a local college not with a company, that way I don't start out in debt. I talked with several recruiters and for me Swift was the best choice for me. I found them all to have good equipment and the training you get out of school is really as good or bad as you make it. Best of luck to you in what ever you choose. Hope you have many happy and safe miles....