Leaving prime thinking of swift

Discussion in 'Swift' started by getn2it, Feb 17, 2012.

  1. getn2it

    getn2it Light Load Member

    169
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    Jul 3, 2011
    houston,tx
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    Hi, after my horrible hometime, and keep digging myself into a hole with prime i am thinking of a company where i can get a regional or dedicated run with. anyone currently working for swift as regional or dedicated with any advice? i live in houston tx, thanks!
     
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  3. A Wise Guy

    A Wise Guy Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2011
    McHenry, IL
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    I run the Great Lakes Region and it works for me. You must be out at least six days before you can go home. Moving up to 62 mph will seem like you are flying though ;-)
     
  4. A Wise Guy

    A Wise Guy Light Load Member

    55
    27
    Aug 18, 2011
    McHenry, IL
    0
    I run the Great Lakes Region and it works for me. You must be out at least six days before you can go home. Moving up to 62 mph will seem like you are flying though ;-)
     
  5. inkeper

    inkeper Road Train Member

    1,440
    1,059
    Jan 30, 2011
    Texas
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    Swift has 308 division which is Texas Regional. Several of the guys run out of Houston at the yard we share with Central on Mesa. I run it but I am currently on loan to one of the shuttle fleets out of Lancaster. Miles are just ok, 1800 to 2200 a week. There are a couple of dedicated fleets out of the Houston yard too, the biggest one being Home Depot. The two guys I know that are on it are home every night and get paid by the day, something like $160 per day if I remember right.
     
    scottied67 Thanks this.
  6. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
    867
    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
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    They may not hire you out of orientation on dedicated. Couldn't hurt to ask.

    I would check into Crete and Schaffer to see if they have regional out of your area. Probably more pay. Definitely they pay for practical miles. Mo' $$
     
    skellr Thanks this.
  7. jdsouza

    jdsouza Heavy Load Member

    750
    48
    Dec 18, 2009
    Port Orchard, Wa
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    What was wrong with prime
     
  8. fire41056

    fire41056 Bobtail Member

    13
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    Feb 17, 2012
    lakecity florida
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  9. getn2it

    getn2it Light Load Member

    169
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    Jul 3, 2011
    houston,tx
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    they charge for everything... name another company as a company driver where you have to pay for chains, load locks, ect. and the home time is horrible.. 1 day home for every 7 out...normally out a month+ before you see home.
     
  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
    12,015
    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
    0
    They pay you back when ya turn them in. Find some extra load locks and turn them in too...
     
    Hippysiam Thanks this.
  11. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
    4,900
    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
    0
    Um, welcome to trucking.....

    I've never worked for a mega-carrier that didn't take money out of my first few paychecks. Swift requires you to buy an enforcer lock set which is $80 and I've heard they require you to pay for chains now as well. I left there for Glen Moore, and they took $150 out of my first check to fund any cash advances I might want to take someday. When they were sold to Celadon, I got my $150 back, but Celadon is still taking money out of my check each week for everything from the air cuff lock to the PrePass unit. Seems pretty standard in the industry.

    As for hometime, 1 day for every week worked is also pretty standard. There are companies that will advertise home weekly, but be advised you will only be home for a 34hr restart, and it could be any day of the week. Example, they may get you home Tuesday night, and expect you back in the truck ready to roll Thursday morning. If you've got a family with jobs and/or school, being home on Wednesday isn't worth much.

    There are good jobs out there, but you're not likely to land one right out of the chute. Falling into the job hopper pattern believing the grass is greener on the other side isn't going to land you a good job, either. in the trucking industry, it's still an employers market. There are enough drivers in the pool to let companies be a little picky about who they hire. If we ever get our economy booming again, that will turn around, but until then it's best to play by their rules if you want doors to open for you. And one of the major rules in trucking is stick it out with one company for 1 year.
     
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