Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

I was told by a bud of mine that a comp driver swifty bad ##### at most will make 35-45k what do you think of the # if not so let me know

 

I don't think any company driver is making that right now lol. Unless they're on a dedicated gravy run that is. The economy is too ###### to make those figures now. I'd plan on 25-30k. I can imagine in good times, you can easily make 40k though just not now.

 

Speaking as one who is on a "dedicated gravy run" I know I and my husband work darn hard. It's not gravy it's hard long work.

And yes, we'll each see 48K plus for a 12 month period.

 

I think he's talking about solo drivers. You are blessed to be where you're at Nana, most don't get that luxury of teaming with their partner on a dedicated run. I know what the work is, I did it (not dedicated, but still it's all the same with the dry van and I hauled many a Wal-Mart loads).

Just letting them know what to expect for real for solo OTR.

 

I was merely commenting. sheesh

And no it's not the same, we haul reefers. It's good money and yes the do like teams as well as solos. We are blessed but we work hard. Can you tell I'm tired? LOL

 

here's the thing ab out OTR solo......you're at the bottom of the dispatch order. You're not getting a dispatch until it's been past teams, O/O, mentor teams. So you get the shorter runs and fewer. And everyone is struggling for freight currently with the economy. Plus this is the slow season.

The only fleets I know of that have heavy freight are like ours......grocery.

 

Good Lord refer! Now that is some work there lol. I wasn't comin down on ya' just want folks to understand they ain't gonna make a killin' solo otr right now at Swift. It is possible under ideal conditions, but not now! I pulled refer a few times.

I wouldn't want to pull refer because the loads are more often than not, heavy as hell and then you have to deal with long wait times (I heard WM is rough on the refer side with live loads). My hats off to ya'! I know you're good people.

 

I have never had issues with getting my truck fixed with Swift except it might take a day or 2 sitting at the terminal, If he's out on the road he needed to call On-Road then they may have had him take a load to the nearest terminal (2 in Chicago Area).

 

I drive solo and made just over $42,000 for '09 of course I'm at the top of the "west coast" pay scale ran just over 98,000 miles. I run 48 and not on any dedicated fleet.

 

And how often are you stuck on the east coast? Probably not too often since you're in TX. TX is a great location, I just might move that way soon so I can find what I want easier. Kinda hard getting off the east coast when you live there lol.

I ran about the same mileage in 2k8 and 2k9 was lower (I didn't work at Swift the last couple months of 09 but it wasn't heading higher for sure). I was at .35 (er .34 after the cut) and you're .06 cpm higher (top is .42 -1 for west coast or was it -.02 can't remember).

I'm not calling you a liar but you're higher pay scale, more experience and location all play a role in you making a living wage (probably your dm too).

I would stress to any newb that 42k is not likely to happen for you so don't expect it because you will likely not make that! In fact, if I was a betting man, I'd say you'd be lucky to see 30k. I'm not really bashing Swift but I see so many that expect 40k the first year or two and it ain't likely to happen!

I'd still recommend Swift for a newb and I left because it no longer fit what I want in a trucking job. That's not to say I don't fit trucking because I think I did well at it, I just hate the east coast with a passion and prefer running midwest and west.