Talking to Swift

Miles are good. But DO NOT jump in, and expect every load to be a 600 mile run, as some on here do. Expect 1500 mi weeks for a few weeks till you prove to your driver manager and fleet manager and planners that you can pick up a load and deliver ON TIME without any tickets or accidents. after that...the miles will pick up.

APUs? as far as i know, most company trucks do not have APUs. there might be a handfull out there, but to my memory, they dont have em.

the trucks, mostly, are in good shape. Depending where your home terminal will be, the shop should give your truck a good cleaning. Mine didnt, and ended up spending the weekend cleaning it out before moving in. Then again, the truck arrived friday night, and my DM wasnt in till monday, and i wanst taking a load till both he and i went over it.

Upon being issued your truck, TAKE PICTURES of everything. You and your DM will go over the truck, and he'll jot down any existing damage. But be sure you take pictures, and go over it before and after your DM to ensure nothing was missed. Inside and out. Don't want to get 50 mi down the road, and end up finding some big ticket item is either broke or missing, and then guess who is going to pay up.

Be sure to talk with your DM so you two are on the same page. Make sure you know what they are expecting, and they know what you're expecting. go over your goals you have down the road. Let them know you are not one to B.S. and not one to take it. Remember, they are not your friend. They are a team member.

 

I have a question: Orientation for Me will be either in Phoenix or Dallas and I live South of Houston. After orientation and mentor training would I get My truck there or down in Houston.

Don't mean to jake Your Thread just figured this is a good question.

 

When getting your truck, please remember you are getting a used vehicle. The last driver was eager for his new truck or his new company and was not looking out for the next guy (you). The mechanics may have looked it over, but their wife and kids aren't riding in it, you are. Check it carefully...and turn it in for repairs if needed. A small airleak is not acceptable. If you can hear it, fix it. Make sure the "B service" is up to date.

I can't speak well to the miles because I was a specialty fleet that ran short runs. But the only APU's I ever saw with Swift were on an O/O rig.

 

Swift equipped around 50 to 100 trucks with APU's to test them out like 5 yrs ago, those trucks are long gone, I guess they didnt like them! But they're working on getting bunk cooling systems in the trucks to keep cool in the summer, they're testing those out.

 

all depends. I've heard Swift flying drivers to Phoenix to pick up brand new trucks. I've been to Houston terminal (if you can call it a terminal) and my GUESS would be, you'd go to Lancaster to pick up your assigned truck. I guess they could have one waiting for you in Houston, but that dont seem to be much of a typical terminal with a driver window, planners, DMs or a safety department. But then again, last time i was in Houston was about 15 mo ago+.

One of the things i was told just before leaving the swift school in Idaho was this. Take whatever they give you. (as long as its not falling apart). A truck is a truck is a truck, and anything that will safely roll down the road will earn you the same paycheck as a brand new truck. If you get a high mileage truck, odds are, within 3-5 months, you'll be turning it in for a new one anyway.

 

Kool Thanx. I should be starting with them at the end of the month. I'm still thinking over what I want to do (Dry Van or Flatbed) and finish taking care of business before hand. Reading a Thread on flatbeds has Me thing now.
I think it would be best to start out Dry Van for a few Years to see if Trucking is for Me. Then move over to flatbeds if That is what I want to do or not. By then I should have My own Truck. Then I can try and make better money.

 

Miles potentially can be good. Factors depend on planners, driver managers,driver, freight availability in the given area the driver happens to be.

Trucks are in great shape. I have an 06 Volvo and was thinking about buying it from the company if that program is still available (DickJones do you know?).

No APU's *yet*.

 

Northeast region......Does anyone know if they get good miles...or enough to live on...lol