is swift getting better?

i think its just because Swift isn't as selective in who they hire as say schnieder is. i don't see swift getting any worse, but certainly not getting any better either.

if swift is the company that hires someone when schnieder, werner, or some others can't or won't, at least the newbie will get some experience, and then can move on to someplace else.

 

I have been with Swift for 5 months now, I came out of the military straight to them. Thus far I have not had any problems. At my terminal they have cleaned out and replaced 90% off the office staff even the top dog. They gave me a 06 volvo w/ 70,000 mi. I get home atleast three weekends a month and still make 3250 mi. So I can't really complain when my friends at other companies are complaining because they get treated like crap. I am not saying that Swift is perfect, but they are not as bad as most make them out to be. The trucks could be a little faster to me, like 70 mph would be nice, but a lot of other companies are being passed up by us. My philosophy is you have to start some where.

 

Better??

They have to be getting better. No way anyone could get worse.

I trained 3 drivers that came over from "Swift". They left before training was complete (with Swift). So if what I am about to say is a lie, they told it. You'll only make about $250 a week while you are on the truck with a trainer. Less than that if you are within so many (not sure of actual number) miles of your home. They do not pay you for days spent sitting, if you are within so many miles of home. I did see my last students final check from Swift, $52.00. Compared to his last check when he was on my truck as a student, $1500.00 (for 2 weeks) Quite a differance.

Most recently, from a veteran SWIFT driver... who is perfectly happy with Swift. They are currently having all trucks set to "cruise" at 62mph, and 65 mph top speed. BY "cruise", I mean that is top speed in cruise mode. Again, if it's a lie, she (a veteran/happy Swift driver) told it.

 

Some of the things you need to know about how Swift is doing at this time. They are changing ownership as Jerry Moyes has taken over again. They seemed to have not taken delivery of new trucks before the change. Word was lots of them at the Volvo dealer in Menphis. They were proud to announce that on Thursday they had just found enough mentors for the drivers from the week before orientation. (they send them home without pay on Friday and hope to get something for them the next week.) pay starts when you get in the truck with the mentor. Drivers would get the same delay when done with training to get a truck assigned. They would get paided after they took all days off they had to sit at the terminal for days waiting on a truck assignment. First roomate had a 24 plus hour wait to have truck serviced (on a Tuesday, said you don't even want to know how long it might take on a weekend). Take 20% of what you think should be doable for money add lots of patience and you are in the ballpark. The trucks are older and ruffer than you would exspect and none of the extras some companies have(CB's XM radiosetc.)They need some work.

 

I'm really curious. What company is paying trainees $750 a week?

 

They aren't paying $750 a week. They are paying .25 a mile to students, to start. I had 2 in a row, that grossed over $1900 for a 2 week (15 day) period. That's slightly less than 4k miles a week. Of course, I made out like a bandit. Both were excellent students, and wanted to run hard. And got some excellent loads, back to back. On average, most my students made about $750 a week pretax.

The company...CFI

Of course that doesn't happen anymore. CFI currently puts students with 7500 miles in their own truck. And, they have slowed the training down. Trying to place a 3 week window on it. Still, even at that pace. Students are looking at close to $600 a week pretax.

Not a bad chunk of change for a student with zero experience.

 

Is that the mileage the truck ran, or the mileage that the trainee drove?

 

It's the mileage the truck runs. I just finished my 7500 today. .26 a mile and the trainer gets +.10 per mile on top of his regular pay. I did my 7500 in 16 days.