Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

Go ahead ad yawn, tip. At least some of us seem to be able to make the best out of a bad situation. To generalize about all truck drivers from a certain company, does not show progressive, intelligent thought processes. It shows myopic, narrow-minded, un-college-like knee-jerk assessments, based upon pre-conceived notions. I too, have a college degree in journalism(thus my spelling ability) but I have chosen, at least for a while, to join the hard working, honest gents in the truck drivng industry. However, if things don't change for the better, I may re-evaluate my decision. I worked for Swift once, and here's MY assessment of the company. The good; good miles most of the time, half-way decent equipment, good opportunities for other jobs within the company such as dedicated routes, usually responsive driver managers. The bad; fleet managers that are not too SWIFT, pushing out students when freight is slow, thereby causing the freight shortage situation to become more critical, and really not caring about experience because its easy to replace the experienced drivers with newbies at .26/mile. There's good and bad in every company. Like other drivers have said, you have to find a company that suits you. When I worked for Swift, I met alot of good drivers, and good guys and gals that really gave it their all. Swift is not the right fit for me now. But at least I don't use and over-use that old Sawyer Brown song to include in every post AD-NAUSEUM. Go back to sleep, Tip. And by all means yawn.

 

I heard today that SWIFT has turned the corner and is doing a lot better. Does anybody know if this true?

 

I have not heard but traditionally this is the time of year when Swifts loads pickup and the loads will continue until January/February.

 

Yeah, they seem to have picked up a good bit in the last few weeks. Except of course for a few different dedicated runs, JC Penny and GP strangely enough. They have kept me busy as heck anyway.


Smiling
While
Idiots
Freaking
Talk

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to mislead! I never went TO Nam. I only served DURING nam (1968-1972). I must admit I joined the Navy out of high school to avoid being drafted into the Army, and to get aviation training (it has served me very well). I was stationed in Meridian, Mississippi, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island during that first tour (served again 1976-1982). My only deployment during Nam was to Antarctica with "Operation Deep Freeze '72".

I would never pretend to be a Viet Nam Vet! The guys and gals that were "in country" or just offshore are the true heroes!

 

I posted in another thread what I think is appropriate here, also. I talked to a Swift recruiter, and got some facts straight that have not been updated on their website, or in this thread. Swift used to offer a $500 completion of training bonus (it's gone). You used to need a non-refundable $150 "sitting" fee as soon as you got to school (it's gone). Riley says you don't HAVE to bring any money, even for meals and expenses, as Swift "gives" you $200 for that during school. (I wouldn't go anywhere broke, anyway!) The school is $3,900 dollars (about mid range), treated as a loan to you (under contract) to be paid back to Swift over the next 13 months by payroll deduction. If you stay, they turn that around and pay YOU that same amount for the next 13 months, until your school has cost you nothing. That's different from most companies and has advantages and disadvantages for both you and Swift. School now starts each Monday, vice Wednesday (as reported on their website).

The lesson here is everything changes - sometimes daily - and you can't take what you read on any webpage or forum for granted. I have also found that some companies that used to require 6 months to 1 year experience are now hiring and training drivers with no experience, regardless of website statements. Talk to a recruiter and ask direct questions BEFORE you agree to sign-up (e-mail is better so you can print it out and have a record!) I'm going to ask Swift to send me a copy of the contract so I can study it before I make a final decision.

 

Also, as a part of their downsizing they are still not hiring re-hires or experienced (hope to begin again around the end of July). When I asked why, they said that new hires do not need a truck for 6-8 weeks and so that gives them the lead time to get a truck where re-hires and experienced would need them sooner.

 

That's cool, it's all good. I still want to thank you and all those who are or have served to protect our way of life. No matter where or when you served it's an honor to meet you, sir!

Do you now work for Swift?

 

I don't know. But I did see a Swift truck try to turn a corner a crush the hood of another truck last week.

 

I am starting training with Swift in July and the 150 is still in affect...I have not heard anything about the 200 for meals i was told to bring 150 extra for meals and laundry ect....my training is scheduled for Wednesday not Monday....Are you cdl licensed already or is this training to get your cdl?