Choosing a good school/company for my situation.

You know there's an active Swift forum here..right??

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/swift/

 

John, make sure you read up on the lifestyle of a trucker. I see you have two young children and your wife is a traveler. Is she away from home a lot? Hometime is horrible for otr you are lucky to get home in three weeks and get three days off and it includes weekends and holidays.

I had the same passion as you did in becoming a driver and still do just make sure you can be away from your family. Complete 1 year and you will have a job anywhere but remeber a lot of local jobs require a lot of stops and unloading by the driver.

 

I think you'll find a lot of negative crap about almost any trucking company on this site, but that doesn't mean you'll have the exact same experience... but keep it in mind especially if you've seen hundreds of similar comments about the same company (i.e., "CR England is a bad choice..."). No matter where you go, please know that the first two (2) years will likely be very difficult for both you and your family. However, if you use those experiences as a stepping stone, you WILL FIND the right fit. Good luck with your adventure!

 

So your going to take a traveling job. Your wife does a traveling job. Gonna leave the kids with a third party. MMMM OK then.Been my observation that long term care of kids by a third party usually fails in the long run. Which means one of you will loose your job by being fired or quiting to make arrangements once that falls through. Even local work you're going to be away from home The better part of a whole day. Then right to sleep to do it all over again. One thing to be forced to do that to kids and a whole other thing to do it because of a childhood dream. Forget the dream and take care of the kids.

 

il tell you what my best friend loved swift for the time he was there 3 years till catching a dui. was going to go but they tolled me you have to be 23 to work there it seems like these megas have a good side and bad side and it all boils down to your attitude and the dispatcher you get.

 

They have a terminal in Lathrop. They also have a small yard in Willows... Not sure which one would be closer.

 

Sorry, but I have waited 18 yrs to follow my dream because my kids lives came 1st and foremost ..To choose to leave your kids to follow YOUR dream has to be the most selfish choice a parent can make, imho..

IMHO stick with your electrican job where ever you need to move too and be home with those kids you chose to have ..then when your kids are adults, then follow YOUR dream..

 

I started at Swift in 2010 but didn't go through their school. Ask their recruiters what to expect and such. If you can get a Cdl manual start looking at the general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicle section. That stuff is mandatory for getting your Cdl. Their is a lot of disgruntled drivers for every company. Take everything with an open mind and be willing to listen and learn what you have to be successful. Be sure to take notes and ask questions during class. Anything else feel free to private message me on here.