Looking to get into the business: NEED ADVICE

My post isn't about Swift, it's about where the money is. In fairness, Swift is an American success story. But, dry van will not make as much as others. Swift does have flatbed division also. Swift has drivers that have been there 10-15-20 years and doing very well.

The money listed from best to last:

#1 - tanker/hazmat
#2 - refrigerated (reefer)
#3 - flatbed
#4 - van

School financing : Google>
WIA and VRAP

Some good reefer companies with training:
FFE (also has a tanker division)
Central Refrigerated
Stevens
CLICK HERE for a list of trucking companies that hire new drivers.

Good refrigerated companies after CDL school or 6 mos. experience:
Maverick (flatbed & refrigerated)
Marten Transport (refrigerated drive4marten)
Navajo (refrigerated)
Fairchild Freight (refrigerated)
System Transport (flatbed & refrigerated)
TransAm (refrigerated)

There are other good companies also, perhaps others will contribute to helping you.

 

I just started with FFE. I went through their Driver Training Academy. It was great. You either have to live in Texas or already have a CDL in order to go through the program. You will always be moving with a reefer, because there is always food to haul and if you get in to an area where there is not food, you can just shut off the reefer and haul anything that you can put in the back.

 

I just started with FFE. I went through their Driver Training Academy. It was great. You either have to live in Texas or already have a CDL in order to go through the program. You will always be moving with a reefer, because there is always food to haul and if you get in to an area where there is not food, you can just shut off the reefer and haul anything that you can put in the back. Plus as long as you give FFE a year you will not owe them a penny. FFE is one of the safest companies with one of the lowest turn over rates.

 

depending on your financial situation, there are training programs in most states that you have to pay little to nothing for retraining. and there are the 'starter' companies that will train you. swift, cr england, prime, and probably more that i cant recall. my experience is with prime, they will train you, but are expected to give them a year of service to not owe them for the training. they will run the dog out of you, and dont expect to see home much. but at least you will have a roof over your head and some money to eat on. during training time, made $500 per week, after that, ie once i passed the test and got my own truck. i probably averaged $650 to $800 per week. as a company driver. imo, do not go with any lease program starting out. some will say dont do it at all. best of luck in your endeavors.

 

Your gonna stay broke if you get into the trucking business unless you OWN your own truck.