Swift, Stevens or Knight to start out with?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Oledevildog, Jun 7, 2013.

  1. Oledevildog

    Oledevildog Light Load Member

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    Ok, for my own reasons I am looking at these 3 companies to get my cdl with. I know people will say to pay my way and go to a cdl school on my own, or that there are better companies out there. For my own reasons, these are the 3 companies that I am interested in. I know that I have to pay my dues, that I will be away from home for long periods of time, and that I will not get rich. That being said, I am looking for opinions on the better overall company to start with for traing, miles, equipment and hometime for at least my first year out. Any advise will be appreciated. Please keep it to these 3 companies and don't just tell me that company A, B or C sucks. Thank you.
     
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  3. tirednaz

    tirednaz Heavy Load Member

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    IMO I think it depends on what you are looking for in a company. Look at the company that best fits your needs. Home time, location of terminals, benefits, rider policy, pet policy, APU. whatever you need is whats important. I beleve all three of the listed companies have some sort of in-house school or tuition reimbursement program, all are also established in the market.
     
    Corporal_Clegg Thanks this.
  4. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    one is as good as another until you start to factor in your needs and preferences. That being said i would start with Stevens they are a reefer company and i prefer hauling reefers. but i did not know that when i started, and i started at Swift. And that was not so bad
     
  5. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    Now that i've thought about it... have you looked at Schneider ?
     
  6. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    depends on what kind of trucking you want. swift has both van and flatbed. pays not great when you first start out, but not as bad as some says. it depends really on your attitude and patience. swift has some reefers but not like stevens or knight(squire). only bad thing about reefers are the long loading and unloading times. good luck on whoever you choose.
     
  7. Oledevildog

    Oledevildog Light Load Member

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    May 13, 2013
    Columbus, Ohio
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    Thanks Tirednaz
     
  8. Oledevildog

    Oledevildog Light Load Member

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    May 13, 2013
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    Thanks cuzzin it. I did look at Scneider, but from what I understand they have a training program, but you need your cdl first.
     
  9. Oledevildog

    Oledevildog Light Load Member

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    May 13, 2013
    Columbus, Ohio
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    Thanks dptrucker. I am leaning towards Swift flatbed, just seems like Stevens has better equipment and probably better training.
     
  10. Corporal_Clegg

    Corporal_Clegg Road Train Member

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    Any of those would be fine. Of course I prefer Stevens, but thats where I went and have been happy here for 3 years.
     
  11. jorgan81

    jorgan81 Light Load Member

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    I started out with Steven's myself, I didnt go to there school so I wasnt under contract and left pretty quickly for a local gig. I would recomend steven's to anyone wanting to start out, they have a top notch training program and regardless of the negative comments you see on here there an ok company. They want to help you succeed and do what it take's to make sure you do, if you dont succeed and get moving down the road there not making any money. They put alot of time and resources into there driver's and dont want anyone to fail.
     
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