swift is not driver friendly

Yes and no, oc3. We do have slow times as well, depending on what type of account we're on. We had more work than we could handle coming into Thanksgiving and the day ofter, it dropped by almost 50%...and remained there for a week. The time between Christmas and New Year, freight for us goes into the crapper. Which is why I'll be taking that off this year.

I live a little over 200 miles from the DC. If there's a slow day, I might end up sitting at the DC for a day. I'm not going to bobtail home for one day and I don't keep a four wheeler at the DC. It's usually a good day to take care of laundry.

OTR freight should be jumping right now. If you're not getting enough to keep you busy during one of our most slammed times of the year, you need to have a chat with someone in the office. I don't buy the old lame excuse, "We are light on freight." Not just before Christmas.

 

There not? I thought swift loved there drivers like family.

 

I would much rather dealing with that and being home for 34 reset so I won't have to take days off. I know that would work out better for me, because now sometimes I have to take a 34 two days beofre my hometime, I try not to let that happen but just the way the loads fall. Most DC I talk to telling me I have to be within 50 miles, except for $tree and $general, well not much DC close to virginia beach with swift dedicated.

Taget 31 miles suffolk
Walmart 16 miles chesapeake
Walmart 58 miles williamsburg
All those are close to me but say they don't have a wift dedicated account

 

I'm thinking about getting my CDL through Swift, and then signing on with Swift in Phoenix for a few years. I have no experience, except as a letter carrier, making local deliveries.
I'm currently retired, and have time to put to good use, learn the trade, and earn some extra dough as well.
What are the thoughts of you folks on Swift as a training facility, and as a work place in general. I'd really like to know of pros and cons, maybe some other options.
Thanks for any help,
Banjo Ken

 

I do drive for Swift, I was looking at another company's pay right before I posted-- should have said $1.37 or so.

I didn't really need to add that 'fail' paragraph I guess, just delete that like I never wrote it.

There are pros and cons to each scenario-- company and owner op. Most small business entrepreneurs struggle mightily their first few years starting out. I think with a lot of hard work and great luck and skill, the lease operator would be better off in the end all things considered.

Word I just got today, slow freight everywhere except Troutdale, Lathrop, and the New England area. I'm just trying to get home this week, then plan on running over Christmas and New Years when everyone else is parked-- more miles for me lol.

 

Injun whether freight's down or we have too many trucks, all the DMs I've been talking to all say the samething, nothing but red bubbles all over the board.

 

Banjoken I just graduated from Swift Academy in PHX. Let me ask if you are ready for bootcamp again. Alot of stuff in a short time. My instructors were good guys but it ain't particularly easy. My class started with 22 and 8 of us graduated. Read alot on this site before you jump in. If your a vet ask about vet's discount. 1k discount. Get your physical at Swift. Cheaper and it will save you a lot of hassle. We lost 4 the first day because they didn't go to a Swift approved facility for their physical. Just their money in the wind. In Peoria you will come home every night from school. Have fun!

 

Bu-but....but......CDL mills pass everybody! Just ask all the experts! Nobody fails at a CDL mill! They don't care about road safety! All they want is the money!





(Please read with a tone of thick sarcasm)

 

You don't buy food at home? You don't pay for heat at home?

I'm not picking on you personally, cause I see this kind of statement quite often, and it completely confuses me. I buy food no matter where I am, so that's a constant expense. And don't even try to say food costs more on the road.

 

I am in Swift Academy in San Antonio now. Some say CDL mill, but I say it is difficult. I love it, we drive a lot. We started with 17 and down to 6. I hope to do well and be a very safe driver. I am taking this very seriously.