A bit disappointed at the lack of variety and sitting time at Swift

Do you pull reefers or dry van?

 

Great question. If he's in van, he might have better luck transferring to the Refrigerated Division.

 

Thats probably the easiest way to get out from under the current dispatcher thats looks to be wanting to "keep him in his place"

Does swift have flatbed or tanker too, or just boxes?

 

One Swift Refrigerated driver said it's easy to run both coasts if you keep your dispatcher notified of what you want.

 

Short answer--yes, freight volumes are down--especially in certain places.

Other drivers here on the Forum have in fact been furloughed, or moved on to other carriers for work.

Also--you are pretty much a brand new driver with your fleet--so at this point, you are "paying your dues"....& proving yourself.

As a new driver there--you can't really yet expect the better runs...with the better lanes.

However--one of the cool things about driving for a "big dog" like Swift....is there is soooooo much opportunity there.

Suggestion: do what I did over at Schneider--after 6 months of driving where you are now, if things haven't picked up/changed...put in for a transfer to another account and/or another type of freight.

If you want coast-to-coast runs...after 6 months of driving...put in for reefer account
duty (if you're not already doing that). With reefer--you're much more likely to get back east, & regularly.

-- Lual

 

No tankers at Swift.

They do have flatbed; but...as I understand it--it's a very small fleet, & mostly up in the Oregon area.

Swift also does a fair amount of intermodal work.

When I was doing intermodal--the major players in that railyard were: JB Hunt, Schneider, & Swift--& pretty much in that order, for volume.

--Lual

 

Intermodal is going to more or less local/regional, right? Thats probably going to be more of the same as what he is trying to get away from.

 

Yes, & no....

Intermodal is a different animal.

Some of Schneider's best gigs were/are with their intermodal fleet.

I met more drivers there who were happy, & with more tenure...than elsewhere.

I would respectfully submit....that for a new driver with 6+ months of experience--intermodal duty is a smart choice.

I'm glad I did it.

-- Lual