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Swift or May?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by telcobilly, Nov 17, 2008.

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  1. Nov 17, 2008 #1
    telcobilly

    telcobilly Medium Load Member

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    I have an orientation lined up with Swift this week and an app in with May. May is looking like a good possibility but I'm really torn. Here is a quick comparison.

    May Swift
    training pay $420 training pay $450
    Orientation, PHX Orientation, Fontana (40 mi away)
    Western 11 region route(no TX) Comfort zones (TX, son is there)
    1.6 yo equipment 1.5- 4 yo equipment
    30 cpm starting 26 cpm starting

    Well, guys tell me what you think?? Thanks!
     
    telcobilly, Nov 17, 2008
    telcobilly, Nov 17, 2008
    #1
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  3. Nov 17, 2008 #2
    tinglish

    tinglish Light Load Member

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    Aug 26, 2007
    Cottonwood, CA
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    look at the pay AFTER training
    1 cpm = $1,000 to $1,200 (maybe more) annually.
     
    tinglish, Nov 17, 2008
    tinglish, Nov 17, 2008
    #2
  4. Nov 17, 2008 #3
    Jtruckin

    Jtruckin Light Load Member

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    Oct 1, 2008
    Sacramento, Ca
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    How quickly doesnt May give pay raises? I know after a year with swift you're up to .33, so that might be something to consider also. When you said no tx, does that mean the confort zone youd be running doesnt include tx? I wouldnt fixate on training pay. I'm waiting to ship out with swift mentor this week, and after going through orientation and stuff, i've got a pretty positive outlook on it, I dont think the whole company is as douchey as a lot of their drivers are, maybe itll square up since that old dude bought it back :?

    Although, doesn't May run a lot of the new pete 350 series? ;)
     
    Jtruckin, Nov 17, 2008
    Jtruckin, Nov 17, 2008
    #3
  5. Nov 17, 2008 #4
    telcobilly

    telcobilly Medium Load Member

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    my swift routes offer TX where my son resides (16 yo), May doesn't have TX in their Western 11 area that I would drive. Also, I think Swift's extensive terminals including Fontana might be a better fit for me..
     
    telcobilly, Nov 17, 2008
    telcobilly, Nov 17, 2008
    #4
  7. Nov 18, 2008 #5
    dlwmn78

    dlwmn78 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 17, 2008
    East Grand Forks, Mn
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    After being on the road for 8 years, It doesn't matter what you get per mile....it matters how many miles you get. I would go with May. although I have never driven for either company, I think May has better equipment... GOOD LUCK
     
    dlwmn78, Nov 18, 2008
    dlwmn78, Nov 18, 2008
    #5
  8. Nov 18, 2008 #6
    Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

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    Tampa Bay Fl
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    I would say May.Its a little smaller company than swift and I had heard some good about them.
     
    Bigarmin88, Nov 18, 2008
    Bigarmin88, Nov 18, 2008
    #6
  9. Nov 18, 2008 #7
    telcobilly

    telcobilly Medium Load Member

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    Would it be bad to go to orientation and then change to May if there was a deal breaker # Swift. Would my DAC or reputation get dinged? I'm trying to make the best decision and do everything I can proactively to ensure I have done due diligence...
    thanks.
    A nice truck would be great, but a routing and work/life balance is more important. And I already know for the first year that you have to pay your dues..OTR and such
     
    telcobilly, Nov 18, 2008
    telcobilly, Nov 18, 2008
    #7
  10. Nov 18, 2008 #8
    Jtruckin

    Jtruckin Light Load Member

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    Oct 1, 2008
    Sacramento, Ca
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    I dont think anything would get reported to DAC, you arent obligated to stay with swift unless youve signed a contract, I know if you do that some companies will mark you non-hirable for a while, someone on this forum, I cant recall who had a similar issue with schneider.
     
    Jtruckin, Nov 18, 2008
    Jtruckin, Nov 18, 2008
    #8
  11. Nov 19, 2008 #9
    telcobilly

    telcobilly Medium Load Member

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    Jtruckin, thanks for the tip! Did you end up with Swift? I read Ripoffreport.com and it scares me, yet my instructor drove for them for 2 years and had no complaints, along with another student's mom who is with them now. In fact, he and I are in the same orientation. So much info out there, it is hard to decide without analyzing it to death!
     
    telcobilly, Nov 19, 2008
    telcobilly, Nov 19, 2008
    #9
  12. Nov 19, 2008 #10
    bigpapa7272

    bigpapa7272 Light Load Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    Baltimore
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    most horror stories from rr are usually horror stories from their cdl schools. yeah there are some drivers who go in to swift with a cdl and have a good experience some bad but i think the bulk of the bad stores come from their schools.
     
    bigpapa7272, Nov 19, 2008
    bigpapa7272, Nov 19, 2008
    #10
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