My Time With Swift

Hey Dodge..I have a few companies that are on the table for me..swift is one of them. The only thing that scares me about them is the amount you make with them in training before you go out on your own.. and even then its not that much. As far as what others tell me.. You have to take it with a grain of salt and do what you believe is right.

 

You need to go home for surgery and they give you a ##### bus ticket? Uh, how about a plane ticket?

 

I've worked for little family comapanies where the owner would have come get you personally and drive you home himself. If not that, then he would fly you there. I've had oil field guys get flown in a private jet to get home for emergencies. A Greyhound BUS is not good treatment!

 

25 cents per mile is what I made in training back in 1995. I think we've had just a bit of inflation to consider since then. Why no increases?

 

Well then Swift did increase their beginning pay since 1995....that is when I started with them and the begin pay was 21 cpm, with a 1/2 cent pay increase every 3 months...now 25 to start penny every 3 months capping at 38 in 3 years. Oh yes the best part back in the day, was we were governed at 57 mph.

Anybody remember the day when they offered all the "unachievable" bonuses?

But to the OP of this thread...you were/are lucky you are part of the Columbus, OH terminal...in my book, the best terminal Swift has...they do care about their drivers and students there...always have, and apparently always will! And a piece of advice for you...if you get out to Phoenix, just keep your mouth shut and roll with the punches...far to much politics floating to the top out there, and they like to try and involve every driver in it! Good luck to you at Swift, with the positive attitude you are showing you should be fine!

 

Well from a 3 yr veteran of Swift. I started there and left just over a month ago, But am considering going back. Because of where I live (Michigan) trying to find another carrier that is worth anything hiring out of my location is getting to be a daunting task. I will say this even with all that is wrong I've found and am finding they have more things right. Yes it was tough at first, I had zero experience I had the benefit of two good trainers as well as 2 good driver managers. Just like any job starting at the bottom of the ladder is hard, but if you stay away from the "whinners" and talk to drivers that have been there awhile you can learn alot. Why I left is of no concern here so I won't go into it. There are a number of companies who have made and are still making cuts, I just wish that Swift had not made cuts in certian areas. As for the money, I don't think there is a company out there that can, on a continual basis pay what we all know we are worth. But I did'nt do too bad. I had some real good weeks and some not so good weeks. But after you learn some of the ropes you figure out how to work smarter not harder and keep more money. So good luck to all who are just starting out. Remember trucking isn't a job it's a LIFESTYLE.

 

Dodger,

Yes I drove about 12yrs ago..and boy has the trucking industry changed.. I AM a woman btw and back then I had a cabover with no power steering. And adding insult to injury they liked to send me to New Jersey A LOT!! I wont mention what company I worked for but they only paid like .18 cents a mile back then to start. Yes I only drove for two years, had a family and decided it would be better to have mommy at home.
Now,, I have a sit in front of a computer job and all I see is 4 walls around me.. THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!! Yes to many on here I should shut my mouth and love my job.for trucking is such a HORRIBLE life to have! But for me.. I loved it,, I have yearned for the day that I can get back on the road and drive again. Yes you are away from home.. but my kids are grown now, my friends are all married with thier own lives and all I have is to many hours to sit and daydream. Having an office with a view everyday would suite me just fine. When I drove.. I was good at it! I was told I was good at it..not only by my peers but by the people who watched me make that super tight right hand turn without backing one single car up..and then after words getting a thumbs up from the drivers themselves.. Now..Im treated more like a number then I ever was.. and working with a room full of woman?? GOOD LORD, YOU THINK A SHIPPER IS BAD..at least you can drive away and not have to deal with them for awhile. Woman are the worst!!
So negativity.. I read alot of it..it can confuse you to the point of questioning your decisions. But there are a lot of drivers out there that ACTUALLY like thier jobs and what they do..and those are the ones that I will gravitate too.. Like its been said time and time again.. its what you put into this industry is what you will get out... I hope this transition will be smooth and right now the companies that I am working with are swift, roehl, central Refrig.. which one..which one??

How you feeling btw??

 

Oh yes...I remember those ribs...absolutely mouthwatering...guess i need to sneak in for a sample!