Your experience: Swift based in Lewiston

Discussion in 'Swift' started by Slipstream2023, Feb 8, 2023.

  1. Slipstream2023

    Slipstream2023 Bobtail Member

    2
    3
    Feb 8, 2023
    0
    I'm considering a career change into trucking. I live near Lewiston, Idaho, so Swift is under consideration.
    I'm wondering if any Swift truckers who have been based in Lewiston could comment on their experience.
    How flexible are your routes? As in, can you actually be home every week if you want to? Are there particular routes that are more likely from Lewiston, or once you hit the road, you could end up anywhere? Anything else that would distinguish Lewiston home base from any other terminal?
     
    Chinatown and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

    3,256
    5,870
    Oct 22, 2020
    SW Georgia
    0
  4. Flat Earth Trucker

    Flat Earth Trucker Road Train Member

    3,703
    12,421
    Nov 19, 2018
    0
    @Chinatown may be able to offer some up some exquisite suggestions.

    You may want to consider acquiring your CDL before wondering about routes and whatnot.

    As you might expect, Swift goes everywhere and probably has much to offer.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,295
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,295
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Walmart hires from Lewiston.
    Need 30 mos. experience.
    $110,000.00 a year.
    Go with Swift and stick it out for 30 mos. then switch to Walmart.
    upload_2023-2-8_20-2-1.jpeg
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  7. Slipstream2023

    Slipstream2023 Bobtail Member

    2
    3
    Feb 8, 2023
    0
    Thanks for the comment. I already have an offer with a local trucking company that would provide training. So I am thinking about how to get my CDL: Local company or Swift. I would like more information so I can compare the local offer with opportunities at Swift.
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,295
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    What type trucking is the local company?
    Will you share the name of the company?
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  9. lual

    lual Road Train Member

    3,256
    5,870
    Oct 22, 2020
    SW Georgia
    0
    @Slipstream2023 --

    Something else to think about....along with all the above....

    If the recession later gets really bad--Swift's massive freight base is MUCH MORE LIKELY to keep you moving (and thus, making money) than that smaller, local trucking company.

    As a beginning driver--a large, so-called "mega-carrier" (like Swift) offers you A LOT of advantages that the smaller carriers just can't match.

    Stability is just one of them.

    --Lual
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  10. Flat Earth Trucker

    Flat Earth Trucker Road Train Member

    3,703
    12,421
    Nov 19, 2018
    0
    You may consider traveling to a truck stop frequented by Swift drivers and quiz one directly. Done that myself.
     
  11. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    13,776
    16,234
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    I have done loads in and out of there, but never based there.
    But I must say, they have some really wonderful people there.
    Like many of the smaller terminals it is more of a family environment.

    As with any terminal, your routes are dependent on your designation.
    Are you OTR, regional or local?
    OTR will take you to every part of the country, while regional and local keeps restrictions on where you run.

    If you want to be home every week you need local or regional. It is very hard to get you home often when OTR.
    And don't forget that getting home every week (even for a day unless local) seriously restricts your miles, so you will make a lot less money.

    Out of that terminal you are running paper loads. Some light, most heavy, and they can go in any direction.
    That is pretty much the basis and reason for that whole town.

    Being near Lewiston your choices are pretty limited if you want to be based there.
    Swift might be a good choice.
    They always have loads going in and out, and the people at that terminal are good.

    As opposed to talking to a recruiter, I would suggest going to the terminal and talking to the terminal manager, fleet manager or others there in the office.
    Just walk in and tell them that you are considering a career with Swift and you live nearby, you have a few questions.
    It is pretty laid back there, so they should have the time for you.

    If I lived in that area, they would be my first choice.
     
    D.Tibbitt, Numb, dptrucker and 2 others Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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