Who all on here is a Swift Flatbedder? (Company Driver) How long you been with swift? Flatbedding? Like it vs. pulling vans/reefers? Getting good miles? Hometime? Anyone live around Montgomery, Alabama? Does anyone get through there often? Drive safe, Happy Motoring
I've only been doing it a month but I'll pass on what I've found. Never pulled a van but once with my mentor and it was really easy. Find the trailer and leave. lol Miles, I got about 7K in three weeks out. I could have had more if I knew how the system worked a little better but I didn't sit really at all. I start my home time tomorrow and I requested to be home on the 10th. I got a load from Indiana to Phoenix a few days ago. Probably doesn't always work out that well but this time it did. I was through Montgomery, AL on my second load. I was a couple times on my mentor truck as well. That's the route that goes to ATL and points beyond for us so going through there should be frequent.
AZS. How do you like flatbedding? And is Swift a good company? Any idea how much medical and dental benefits cost? I may be joining you soon. Thanks!
It's work! Feels good though. Cool knowing everyone can see what kind of work you put in. That's what drew me to it in the first place. Company so far I can't say a single negative word about and I've done the academy thing through now, cool people and I like my DM and the planners I've met as well so far. Benefits I think are around $27 a week for me being single with vision, medical and dental.
I was one... just left Swift at the beginning of the week for a better in-house opportunity for another carrier. I've been on and off with Swift for the past 6 years, flatbedded for about three of that with 6 months most recently in the Swift flatbed division. I got to the point I would refuse to pull a van. I've pulled vans, reefers and flats/stepdecks. If I had to go back to driving it would never be with a van again. Miles were hit or miss for me. Had a lot of downtime with my truck, but generally they worked me as hard as I wanted to work. (Which I can't complain because I get a little lazy in the winter so it worked out) On the flatbed side I was only ever once late for hometime, but only because I let them plan me into an area I knew I wouldn't get back in time for. I generally took hometime around OK, AR, TN, MO area. Zero problems getting there on time or early. I used to run a lot out of Alabama on the Weyerhauser side of things. It's no longer a dedicated account, but I absolutely loved running it when it was and the load planner over that account is phenomenal.
I pull dryvan for swift right now, but on the waiting list to go to swift flatbed school thing. Theres a backlog of drivers for mentors for flatbed.
Yeah we are hurting on mentors pretty bad, plus their might be a change to the training...who knows. I like pulling flatbed....i am with diesel girl i refuse to touch a van. I would rather sit and not get paid than haul a van around. Not worth it to me. I'd rather sit and read a book than deal with van crap
Im going to be training at Swift in Phoenix in about a week and intend to go flatbed from the get-go. My family is in Las Vegas. What are my chances of getting decent home time back there?
I've met a few flatbedders that have that additude towards vans. I don't mind van, but i'd like to try flatbedding, for a bit of exercise, and for the challenge. Something new each time you know?
