if you had to go with swift or j.b. hunt

I ran with JB for six months and it sucked hard. I'd give Swift a try, but if there's an alternative, I'd greatly consider it(other than CRE).

 

Knowing what I know now, and not thinking either are much different from one another, I would just pick one, and stick it out for a year. If, at the end of a year, I didn't think I wanted to continue with them, I would begin searching for another company.

You can bet though, I would have a solid year of experience with whichever one I picked before I jumped to another one of the many companies that will hire you with 3-6 months experience.

I say knowing what I know now because my first company was J.B. Hunt. After school and training, I jumped ship a couple months and rode a wave of 2-3 other companies before finding something I could somewhat settle with. You are much better off sticking it out, and making notes of what is really important to you in terms of a trucking company, then research and find one that fits you.

Learn from people like me that company jumped to begin their career.

 

I can make more money not driving at all, than I would for either of these class operations.

 

What a nightmare thought.

 

Making money wasn't an issue for me with J.B. Hunt. I ran plenty of miles. It was the BS I had to put up with from the dispatchers when I was at the terminal, and the slip-seating that annoyed me. And what annoyed me more was dealing with the know it all truckers that talked crap to me on the CB as they passed just because I was in a J.B. Hunt truck.

I was young, fresh out of the Military, and wasn't going to put up with these people. Looking back, it really wasn't that bad. However, I know that what I put up with in 1992 is most likely far different than what people have put up with in the past few years.

 

I have talked to many JB drivers. They are happy for the most part. Such as the bud drivers.

My dealings with JB were mislead dedicated accounts. Partially agreed to work for them if there was a dedicated run. They wanted me to go over the road 3 to 4 weeks at a time until it was available. This was after the many calls telling me of the great HOME time policy they have.

I have never approached Swift, but have read much on them here.

 

Same here. I have talked to plenty of drivers who have stuck it out and are making very good money with the company.

Like I have said here, back in the early 90's, I heard all bad stuff about J.B. Hunt, and everyone told me I couldn't make any money with them. Money truly wasn't the issue with them for me. And once I jumped ship, I quickly learned that the next 3-4 companies I landed with were no better, just a different logo on the truck.

I realize I am not going to prevent the thousands of people who have never worked for this company from telling everyone just how bad it is to work for them, or the people that gave up within a few months of doing the same thing. As far as I am concerned though, this company is fine for people who are getting into the industry, and many of them would probably last longer than they do if their heads weren't filled with negative ideas because as soon as their heads are filled with this, the first bad thing that happens, all those bad thoughts come to the forefront, and they do just as I did, jump ship for another company and start a new career off on a bad foot.

This is why you don't see me in a bunch of these threads piling on the negative comments over companies I have never worked for, or haven't worked for in several years. How can I give a legitimate analysis of a company by repeating what I have "heard from others on a CB", or from what I may have dealt with several years prior? If I am honestly trying to help a newbie, and being totally honest with myself and them, the answer is "I can't".

Rant over

 

Good point and attitude.

I hope that my comments were not negative. I try to not influence people either.