First time OTR, Swift

My guess is that you will be going out with a trainer, but for a reduced amount of time as compared to newbies..

 

I'd look for a better company that Swift you come off as a very intelligent person, something most companies don't expect. These larger companies, look at numbers not the people. My suggestion would be to find a smaller local OTR company who can help you out more one on one.

1. As far as Swift counting your previous experience they probably will tell you it doesn't mean jack.

2. I don't think you'll see a contract unless you wanna lease a truck or be trained in one way or another by them.

3. They'll probably want you to drive in their national OTR van fleet and wont give you an option of flat.

4. I'd expect low miles 2300 or less and pay to match.

5. Hazmat only helps you get loads faster, they'll get you loaded either way and it makes no difference in the hiring process at any company unless they tell you your going to be moving alot of hazmat for a deticated slot or something of that flavor.

6. Yea they'll be putting you through an orientation, don't expect to learn much though. From the calibar of driver I've sceen them put onto the highways this has to be one of the places their lacking.

Good luck to you, seriously consider someone else. You wont regret it. And, hell if your really got it from Swift they will ALWAYS be hiring so no rush.

PS: I'm saying all this from a OTR driver point of view who has never worked or delt with Swift other than on the road.

 

I don't know if you've ever served in the military, but I have and I can say recruiters for both are just about the same. So, basically read over everything, get all their promises in writing, and don't believe it until you see it. If there's not much around you pick up the old telephone book and call a few local companies, or if that doesn't pan out check with some of the larger guys but tread carefully. Trucking companies are real good at the take but not so good at the give.

 

I'd not look for ads... instead, look up companies on the web and go from there. Send your applications in to them directly and individually

Don't expect them to call you. Instead, wait a week or so and call THEM

Your own preferences will lead you to where you want to work - but for MY money, I'd prefer to avoid any company with more than about 1000 trucks.

 

Oh, I wanted to add. Check on Crete or Marten, that would be where I'd start if I was you.

 

Swift will probably send you through a 3 day orientation and then maybe two weeks with a mentor or so. I only had about 6 months otr and 6 months local driving expirience and they started me at .35 cpm, and I am running midwest regional, you will have an option to run van or flatbed just gotta make sure the recruiter hires you for what you want to do. Get it in writing of somesort. Swift really isnt to bad they just have to bad mentors out there that they ARE trying to weed out. But they also have some amazing and very helpful mentors out there like mine. If you do decide to go with swift just drive and run smart and it will blow everyones minds as they wont have anything to complain about that swift truck they just passed.