swift short hauls vs reefer side longer hauls

Discussion in 'Swift' started by biker dave, Dec 17, 2017.

  1. biker dave

    biker dave Medium Load Member

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    Jul 5, 2010
    pittsburgh,pa
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    left the trucking field in 2004, started in 92, i'm looking at swift, but don't want to many short hauls, wears you out even if its drop and hook, now there's this you tube thing where you can get some info not always good, just peace's of info, from people there working at swift, what about there reefer side no one talks about that, like average length of haul, looking at stevens but i hear they keep you out 6 weeks, charge you lots for a refresher course, yes i still have my CDL, but they have nice trucks to, in my late 50's want to build up my social security check when i retire, o ya, no computer back then you use your map and go
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Abilene Motor Express will probably hire you. I don't think they charge anything for the refresher. They hired a driver that had been off the road 20 years.
    FFE (Frozen Food Express) has refresher and some type of terminal in New Jersey. They're coast to coast refrigerated.
    Schneider Bulk (tanker division) sometimes pays for refresher course. You can run OTR pulling tankers and make good paychecks while doing it.
    Stevens Transport - I wouldn't rule them out completely just yet. Nice trucks with APU.
    Calex Logistics - coast to coast. Don't know their policy on refresher, but worth a phone call or just do an online app and see what happens.
     
  4. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Phoenix, AZ
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    I'm sure @boneebone could shed some light on this.
     
  5. Luse

    Luse Medium Load Member

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    Middle of nowhere Montana
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    I honestly don't know how reefer driver's put up with all those weird odd pick up/delivery times, dealing with mafia (lumpers), Excessive wait times.

    When I did drive every time I did go to a grocery warehouse every once in a while when i was a Van driver a little bit of me died inside. Unless Costco they have there stuff together.
     
  6. ACO476

    ACO476 Light Load Member

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    Jan 16, 2016
    Texas
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    My average length of haul was 500 miles when i pulled reefer at Swift. 14 hour or more wait times at shippers and receivers was also the norm. Additionally, the trailers sucked big time. I spent a lot of time dealing with multiple flat tires, massive air leaks, reefers that wouldn't work, and on and on and on. I never once got home on time either. I think you have some better options available to you, as Chinatown pointed out.
     
  7. Smut

    Smut Light Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2017
    Houston
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    When I pulled reefers at Swift my average length oh haul was about 800 miles. I'd get some small loads but occasionally id get a big mile load headed West with a good turn around load right after. I was on a dedicated account for Kraft and I'd run the east coast a lot. I would average 2500 miles a week. It was alright, I was treated pretty good but occasionally they'd have me sitting on the weekends with no loads. I had a lot of loads headed to Pennsylvania too so home time might not be hard to get.
     
  8. biker dave

    biker dave Medium Load Member

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    Jul 5, 2010
    pittsburgh,pa
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    yep, i know what you mean
     
  9. biker dave

    biker dave Medium Load Member

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    Jul 5, 2010
    pittsburgh,pa
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    back in the 90's when i drove for transam, company trucks back then no fleese trucks, you sat all day at the meat packing place then 1 hour after drop dead time which was 11pm you got your mad cow meat and headed to jersey, and a 3 or 4 hours for the lumper to unload, thanks for the reply, merry xmas
     
  10. biker dave

    biker dave Medium Load Member

    439
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    Jul 5, 2010
    pittsburgh,pa
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    thanks a bunch
     
    Smut Thanks this.
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