Beginner CPM Expectation

Jones Brothers Trucking Inc
www.jonesbrotherstrucking.com
6681 Commercial Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
Hires new cdl school grads from 48 states.
Hauling flatbed freight 48 states & Canada.

 

Big M Transportation
6341 Highway 15
Blue Mountain, MS 38610

 

You can look back on my posts here over the past dozen years to see how my experience with Swift has been.

And if there is a Swift that parks just down the street from you, that is a golden opportunity to knock on the door and speak with that driver.
You could always tape a note on the truck door with your info and let the driver contact you.

 

@RiggerWings --

Well....by now....my guess is you may well be suffering from a pretty bad case of "information overload".

Soooooo many good carrier choices....yet so little time.

Judging by some of your earlier posts...and also by your avatar--my guess is you're up for some real adventure...and you probably would much like to see as much of the USA as you can....but do so, on someone else's dime.

If that assessment is accurate--then, based on my experiences with Schneider--that pretty much would narrow down your choices to either: Melton, or Swift.

Are you in really good shape--and do you enjoy physical labor? Do you like hard work--and then being able to stand back, and admire the results of your efforts? Is it safe to say that your work ethic is pretty much on the same level as a freight train?

If so--you're probably a good candidate for flatbed duty. Apply for Melton.

On the other hand--would you rather just kick back, and mostly just look out the windows, and drive? Would you prefer to sit in the comfort of your cozy cab--sip coffee...and snicker at the flatbedder across the parking lot, as he/she struggles/fights with a tarp, in bad/windy weather?

If so--then sign up for dry-van duty with Swift.

Both Swift and Schneider are so-called "mega-carriers".

It's basically impossible to comprehend the scope of their freight volumes--in just one day. Never mind over the course of a year.

Coming from a "mega-carrier" like Schneider, I speak from experience when I say....that there are A LOT of advantages for a new driver....with driving at a mega-carrier.

These many advantages get "swept under the rug"....largely because everybody else is having too much fun bad-mouthing the "megas".

The reason Swift has so many negative reviews....is largely because so many drivers go there with their expectations in the clouds....& find out, instead...that it ISN'T an easy gig (surprise!--most beginner trucking jobs aren't--it's the nature of the beast)...it's not a 9-to-5 job, they can't go home to "Mommy" or "wifeypoo" every day--or every other day, they have to follow dispatch's instructions, they have to be on time for appointments, they had to swap trailers in the rain/snow/mega-heat, they got lonely, etc, etc, etc.......then they quit, go home, get on-line....and then pitch a hissyfit about how Swift "screwed them over".

The main point there is--all too many people just really aren't trucking material. And it shows!

Moosetek13 (see above post) is one of the drivers here on the Forum who can dispell the negative reviews for you...he's driven for Swift....for quite a while.

My "vote" sez...if flatbed isn't really your thing...sign up with Swift--and don't look back.

Stay with them (or Melton) for AT LEAST A YEAR (and two is even better).

If I later need to explain all those cool advantages to running with a mega-carrier in some detail......I think I can handle it.

--Lual

 

@Melton my average net was 1200-1500
I didn’t pay for insurance 401k and claim 3 dependents though.. can make decent money at Melton after a year if you become a trainer