Newbie training for swift

No, you don't pay for the fuel as a company driver. The 'fuel cards' also can be set up to serve as your access to your paycheck. My hubby has his pay set up that way (he does not drive for Swift), and I access his pay that way too by calling a phone number and registering a Comm Check. It works for us that way, as even if it is a banking holiday, I can write a check and get it cashed at a truck stop.

 

1. i'm a 22 year old female, so will i get a feamle mentor. also can i pick what can of mentor i want.

You can request a certain type of mentor (ie smoker, non-smoker, male, female), however if you request a type of mentor that's in short supply, you'll be there a while and won't get paid while waiting. Take the first mentor you get. If you're uncomfortable with a mentor of the opposite sex, get over it or be prepaired for a long wait.

2. how is the school in tennesse

Don't know. I went to Richmond, which has some #### good instructors.

3. what's is the dot physical like,b/c i'm a little overweight

Don't worry about the DOT physical. Swift does it's own physical (WorkWell), which is a bit harder. Slightly overweight isn't too bad, so you should be ok. Be prepared to carry 75Lbs. 60 feet 3 times. Also, you much be able to push 100Lbs and pull 100 Lbs. Be Prepared.

4. will i have to load and unload the trucks

At some point, yes. Most loads are drop and hook or reciever unload, but there will be a time where you have to unload a 53' trailer by hand or with a manual pallet jack.

5. do swift pay good. and what can i expect to make weekly or monthly,also how many miles

Swift's pay starts at $.26 cpm when you graduate Swift school and you work up to around $.30 after a year, and of course up from there.

6. how offten will i get home, also how do the comfort zone work

OTR will get you home about every 14 days as stated before. You can also arrange to take a couple of days (34 hour reset) elsewhere in the country and enjoy the locale.

7.are the mentors good at swift

Depends on the mentor. Some are very good, some aren't. If you're unhappy with your mentor, request a change.

8. how will a be getting paid

Bring a voided check with you to orientation and they'll do it direct deposit or you'll be issued ComChecks (pain in the butt), and/or a ComData debit card.


ok also do they check work history b/c i lied about my work history

IF you don't fix it before hand, you can fix it on the first day of school. You'll sit down and cover everything with a compliance officer and make sure it's right. MAKE SURE IT'S RIGHT!

 

can you do team driving after you finish otr training with your instructor with swift?

 

No the fuel card has basically 2 sides 1 for fuel the other is for personal either direct deposit or advances used like an ATM card. Company drivers do not pay for fuel from their money.

 

Yup............

 

what about Memphis? Heard anything? Just as good? Do they use a chain hotel/suite company?

 

Seriously looking at Swift. I've always liked how clean and tidy their equipment is when I saw them on the road out west. Can anyone tell me about Swift's equipment? Do you have to double clutch with the Volvos? What's the breakdown of manufacturers of rigs? Mostly, I've seen Volvos. Do they have Freightliners? What about maintenance records? They tend to have newer trucks so, is there less breakdown? What about trailers? Are cab-overs still being used? I haven't seen many. Anyone know about Swift's auto transporting? Seniority preferred?

 

1. i'm a 22 year old female, so will i get a feamle mentor. also can i pick what can of mentor i want.

They have female trainers, but they are in high demand so your best bet would be to take whoever they give you. They will match you regarding smoking preference though, but again it could possibly delay you getting out with a mentor. They won't pay you for waiting but they will put you in a motel at no cost to you so long as you share a room. Since you're a female, you will likely have a room to yourself. You may have to ride the greyhound to get to your mentor so pack lightly.

2. how is the school in tennesse

I don't know anything about Swift's school, I went to a private school.

3. what's is the dot physical like,b/c i'm a little overweight

as long as you're not going for flatbed you should have no problem. I'm a pretty big fella and I had a hard time lifting 85 lbs over my head onto the shelf. Hell, I could barely do 70.

4. will i have to load and unload the trucks

I've been with Swift for 11 months and I have never HAD to do either.

5. do swift pay good. and what can i expect to make weekly or monthly,also how many miles

For newbs, yes they pay well. I'm at .34 cpm in under a year, will be at .35 soon. They also have a scale that pays you more cpm and extra pay for short runs. Average miles, 2,200 a week but sometimes will be less (like now getting around 1800 last couple weeks) especially if you just have to be home RIGHT NOW. Don't expect more than 30,000 your first year.

6. how offten will i get home, also how do the comfort zone work

They get me home as often as I like to be. Minimum of 14 days out and they'll get you home soon after. 1 day home for every 7 out. The map overlay with the comfort zones are pretty much self explanatory. You basically run a region. Occasionally, you may need to go out of bounds a bit for a good paycheck or a way to get towards the house. They won't force you out though.

7.are the mentors good at swift

Mine were. I still talk to one of them almost daily.

8. how will a be getting paid

By the mile plus any extra stuff on a weekly basis by direct deposit after a couple weeks out on your trainers' truck. First couple weeks are put on your comdata card, which you can use at atm machines to get cash The first transaction (after deposits) is free so get plenty, otherwise it's like 3.00 for every use thereafter.

Can anyone tell me about Swift's equipment?

Every truck is different but for the most part, Swift runs great equipment. The first truck I had developed some problems that were tough to fix apparently, but after a couple of breakdowns they put me in a late model truck.

Do you have to double clutch with the Volvos?

No. Sometimes I do with a heavy load or in hilly terrain , but much of the time, no clutch at all. You can single clutch as well once you understand shifting. But you will have to know how to double clutch to get your cdl, it's one of the things the DMV tester looks for, although you can fake it a bit but don't be jammin' them gears on your test lol.

What's the breakdown of manufacturers of rigs?

KW T2000's and W900's International Pro Stars, Freightshaker Columbia's, Volvo VN 670 and 780's both midroofs and condos.

Do they have Freightliners?

Absolutely.

What about maintenance records?

The shop keeps records yes.

They tend to have newer trucks so, is there less breakdown?

New has nothing to do with breakdowns lol. They will happen occasionally just the nature of the beast.

What about trailers?

Most trailers are in pretty good shape. I'm pulling a brand new one now. You'll get an occasional POS.

Are cab-overs still being used?

Yes out west I've seen them. East coast, not so much, maybe as yard dogs.

Anyone know about Swift's auto transporting?

Only Autos I'm aware of currently are the Sprinter vans hauled in vans and on flatbeds.

Seniority preferred?

For mentors, yes. Right now it's slow so they're probably not hiring as much as usual and are a bit pickier than normal.

 

swift requires you to double clutch, if you have a tranny fail and they see the float lines on the mesh, boom you owe swift 10,000 bucks, they have mainly volvos, but have some columbia's, international's, no cab overs, dont think they sell those new here in the states anymore, but they rotate every 3 years with new equip.

 

Dude where'd you here that? lol. Absolutely untrue. Only time swift will charge a company driver for equipment damage is when a driver neglects to file with the claims department. And yes they do have cabovers. I see you're a student so perhaps you are going by what you hear and not facts. The majority of cabovers are out west pulling doubles fyi. And the double clutching, the road testers will tell you to float if you know how if you're an experienced driver lol.