newbie swift trainee

That is what most people look at Swift for. Heck in Orientation in Lancaster one of the people that talked said "Swift is a training company and makes most of its money off of new truck drivers". It kind of surprised me that he said that, but he did.

They do make a lot of money off of rookies, but in turn we get training. I mean they pay us .25 cpm instead of the .41cpm that most of the non BFI companies pay. But they do have to trust a rookie with a $100k truck, so they do have to hope that rookies don't crash and get them lawsuits.

 

They make a boatload of money off the lease operators too. Sure they shake your hand and pat you on the back when you sign the lease papers, congratulate you for becoming and 'business partner' with them lol, then they pay you a little flat mileage rate that barely covers the truck payment and insurance. I can't blame Swift, it's the middle managers, and planners who have their own agenda to worry about let alone worry about who operates the trucks they send the load offers to. A load offer of 500 empty miles and 500 loaded miles is great for a company driver's bottom line because the miles pay the same, for the leased operator, that's barely keeping his nose above the waterline.

 

Yeah, I said the same thing. I still trying to keep positive attitude, but the things that annoy me are rude people in terminals, vague rules, other truck drivers laughing just because I work for Swift, and the non-driver support that I see.

Basically, there are a lot of things I am observing that I don't like. I am just going to work hard, keep a positive attitude and look for better opportunities moving forward. This job will allow me time to review all my options going forward very, very, very close...

I needed a job. Swift gave me one. I am thankful for that. Now I just need to find a job that provides weekends home, at least $500 a week in pay and treats me like I treat them (with respect, caring and honesty)..... Hopefully I can find that opportunity at Swift....

 

Talked face to face with recruiter today and have 2 hoops to jump thru but I got them under control, She said I should still be in on the 27th..

I blame myself cause I shoulda got the ball rolling while still in class. I just wanted to make sure I got my license before I made any plans. I guess the other guys got pushed back for the same hoops I am so at least Im not too far behind.

 

I find out Monday if they can push me up to the 27th! Fingers crossed- time is money- kids are hungry.

 

Gold Miner, your frustrations with Swift were almost identical to mine when I was with them. That said, I was willing to come back to work for them when I decided to come back to driving and had every intention of it.

Then I got a call from a recruiter from Averitt Express. I went through a 3 week refresher (paid $600 per week to go with a trainer) since I hadn't driven since 2009, they started me at .35 cpm and I am home every weekend. I have been solo 2 weeks. My first week solo my take home pay (direct deposited) was just under $600 for and I only drove 1400 miles. This week I drove 2300. I will be home tomorrow morning and go out again Monday morning.

Some people don't like that you have to shave your beard, or can't wear long hair and that you have to wear a uniform but all of those things are a small price to me for the way I am treated by other Averitt associates and more importantly other drivers and the customers. I haven't been talked down to once since coming here. They hire if you have at least 4 months solo experience in the last 3 years. May want to check it out.

I have nothing against Swift. As I said, I was willing to come back till this fish jumped in my boat.

 

As a mentor for swift you go to orintation 3 or 4 days and get coded after that you giveng a dr # then get youre mentor info now the mentor gets the rest of the traing the newbie as a mentor we like to see a a respectful co driver/student we watch for safty can you drive or shift gears without missing or grinding them all the time do youre pre and post trips hook the trailer up right landing gear up were its suposed to be we have a list that we will check off for you if we see you done something wrong ill tell you dont get mad or upset thats what im here for is to help you i stop and shower every day or atlest try to this is my reason for this post my truck is new id like to keep it in good shape and keep the new smell in it i dont want no smelly person in my truck /or smokers in it now as for the long wait for mentors we have new drivers with us for 2 to 8 weeks at a time my co driver has been on my truck for 6 weeks he will get out in ocala florida wensday then ill go home and monday ill get another one just hang in there if you only have to do 2 weeks you will go first thats the way it is shorter time to longest now if you just got cdl and never drove look for atleast 4 to 8 weeks with a mentor

 

Averitt does look good. I went to their website and checked it out. What do they consider long hair? I can shave for sure...

Also, I noticed they say they have APU's, and automatic transmissions. Is that true? Are all their trucks auto? Looks like you found a good company...