Driving after leaving a mega....did it get better or worse?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by VA CDL Holder, Aug 19, 2021.

  1. Patriot_Bearing_Supply

    Patriot_Bearing_Supply Bobtail Member

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    That was the owner. Tall, skinny guy in a cowboy hat. Very loud talker. When I hired on, he didn't get into firing you, but there was a definite anti union speech. This was all the way back in 2000, they were running 100 (IIRC, it was a lot) people a week through their school to replace drivers. He definitely made an impression on me. Enough that I remember it clearly 21 years later.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Some mega companies get bad press from a few drivers. But, those same companies have drivers that have been there for years/decades.
     
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  5. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    That’s because they died in their seats. Haven’t been discovered yet. :laughing-guffaw:
     
  6. Jenkins2020

    Jenkins2020 Light Load Member

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    Much, much better. My first mega was Millis Transfer. It's a great starter company, but the pay was too inconsistent for me. Some weeks I net $1400. Some weeks it was as low as $600. On average it was around $1000. Not worth it if I'm staying out 3 weeks at a time. I think my dispatcher is to blame for that though. I never was late or complained about doing any load, so I don't know why I didn't get good miles.

    This is my 2nd year trucking and I drive locally doing LTL now. My pay is $1300 net a week, which in my opinion is great considering I'm home daily. The pay is consistent so I'm making far more than I did at the mega. I'm never touching a mega again.
     
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  7. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Memphis, TN
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    I know right?!?! Every single company, mega or not, has ambassadors and whiners.
     
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  8. Atlanta trucker

    Atlanta trucker Road Train Member

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    Today on the trucking business and beyond show on SirusXm radio a driver said that he thought Swifts tight time frames where just the way trucking was but then he went to work driving for a private fleet (Sherwin Williams paint) and how easy and relaxed his driving job now is. The big uglies are known as big uglies because there drivers are just a # on a screen. The difference between Swift and a smaller company are HUGE. I work for a smaller specialized carrier and it doesn't feel like a job to me. Wish I would have left the big uglies sooner.
     
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  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Sherwin-Williams is a private fleet and doesn't hire rookies.
    Whole different operation with Swift.
    Swift is a starting point to eventually move to a company such as Sherwin-Williams.
    Many drivers at Swift make real good money though; $1200 - $1500 a week.
     
  10. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    The thing about Swift is that the driver has some control over the loads they accept.

    I turn down loads all the time that are too tight on time.
    Not too tight on paper or in the computer, but too tight for my liking.
    I also turn down loads that would have me driving hours of the day that I don't like driving, mainly overnight or late night deliveries.

    So, for the most part I can keep my job relaxed and easy going.
     
  11. Saltyoldone

    Saltyoldone Light Load Member

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    Jun 16, 2019
    Boise
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    I turned down a load with May ONCE! They wanted me to pick up a load in Joplin and drive 850 miles in 24 hours to Detroit.
    I spent the next 7 days at the Joplin 44 Petro waiting for the DM to stop sulking and start doing her Job again. After the second day I started the truck for AC and didn’t shut down again until dispatched. I was on E when I pulled to the pump.
     
  12. Atlanta trucker

    Atlanta trucker Road Train Member

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    $1,200-&1,500 a week at Swift ?!?!?!
    Maybe they are becoming a normal civilized operation ?
    I did accidentally fall into a great dedicated Swift job once but since it was Swift they kept kicking me out of it because it was a good job with a good paycheck. Back then Swift was not in the business of good jobs with good paychecks. Maybe life at Swift has changed ?
     
  13. Atlanta trucker

    Atlanta trucker Road Train Member

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    You waited 7 days for your company to do there job ???
     
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