Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

Have to call you out on that. Definately not true on all levels. Government subsidy maximum payment would be the tuition of the school first and foremost for those that qualify. It's almost the same qualifications for a grant for colleges. They dont pay 100% for everyone that tries to go that route. Swift doesnt purchase used trucks for company or owner operators, and yes we do get a good discount, since we are purchasing in bulk. 25,000 drivers? It's around 15,000. Inexperienced drivers are never "cheaper" then experienced drivers. We get paid by the mile, not the accident, getting lost, additional out of route miles, missed fuel stops, new driver fatigue and shutting down, service failures etc..that generally goes with newer drivers. Think about the layover. Just my Van division out of my terminal for October it cost me 1.57 per mile to run a truck, that is all miles, loaded and empty. That includes every expense. Do to fuel coming down, that is the lowest I have been all year. So I could send the driver 31 miles deadhead to equal $50 in layover? What would make more sense to do? I am all for good information both positive or negative, but your statements tell me your not fully informed

Wes

 

I just heard from my best friends father at Yellow that they are taking a 10% pay cut to the drivers, in exchange for stock options. Early estimates for 2009 are calling for about 500,000 trucks to come off the road due to reduced capacity and company's closing. It's not going to be pretty for next year. I have not heard anything concrete on the Swift side for a fleet reduction, but usually in an evironment of even 20% turnover or greater (we are at 70% for this year), you wouldnt have to lay off drivers, you just turn trucks in as drivers quit, and slow your highering. If I was the owner, I would reduce our fleet for next year. I know Jerry is a smart businessman, so I would not be suprised to see some truck reductions. This long running recession is new territory for everyone. Don't get used to your normal expectations for next year, just make sure you do whatever you can to survive whomever you work for. If you can go to work for niche companies that haul recession proof products, that is the way to go. Walmart comes to mind. Most of our shippers we have heard from are already reducing their core carriers from 20+ down to around 5 to insure some carriers survive this, and keep their truck capacity when it finally gets tight on trucks.

Wes

 

I heard on the Sirius trucking channel the otehr day that the expectation is the next four quarters (beginning wit the current one) will be down. Estimates range from 2% to 10%. The expectation is that, barring any new unforeseen news, freight will begin to pick up in the 4th quarter of 2009.

 

We are hoping. 18 months of recession is the optimistic outlook I have read. So hopefully after June next year things start picking up, and it should easily be felt with the reduced trucks on the road at that time.

 

I've been reading a bunch on how there are plenty of truckers seeing less miles in this recession. Just how many miles is the average Swift driver getting nowadays? I'm not making big dollars right now by a long shot. But even at the starting pay of .26 per mile about 2300 miles a week would equal what I'm making now.

 

I have talked to Swift about 2 weeks ago and they are"hoping to hire experienced drivers in January". I really thinks it depends on the economy because no training is done in December.

 

Some schools are still open in december. I get the bus info on thursday and school starts in Lewiston Id.on the 15th

 

Lewiston ID driving a truck in December? Boy you want to get in their and get nasty right away, don't you?

 

Why not! I have no intention of being a solar powered taning my left arm LOL