Swift is a good company

It doesn't mean it isn't happening. I waited 3 weeks for a truck when I got mine. I know some others who have been waiting the same right now. It depends on which terminal you are based out of, and if they have a truck sitting on their lot that is available to go. If you are based in Phoenix, they will not check Albuquerque for a truck (where there is almost always a truck available).

Glad you are busy, it's nice when you have someone as a mentor who has an established reputation with the company, and the fact that they are treated like a team. Solo drivers in many areas are, however, still sitting waiting for loads in a few places (especially in So-Cal). I wouldn't expect to come right out of training and running 2500 miles a week, because right now it isn't happening for solo guys very much. However, you don't have to take my word for it, I just work for them and up until today was a solo driver (picked up a team driver today).

 

Is Swift still at 60mph? Also, what do you mean by test out when finished with your training?

KH

 

Swift is at 62 mph ... and you test out when you are done with your mentor to ensure you did drive the truck and learn enough to go solo. It is not a hard test if you did your time for the 6 weeks.

 

cool. thanks for the info. does swift still have comfort zones and are any of guys seeing nyc? i ask as most if not all carriers pay special for nyc.


KH

 

No you dont run NYC unless you ask for it and if you dont mindi t you wont sit much if you do it. I worked for Swift for 6 months i got my CDL elsewhere though. I am not driving right now and until freight goes back up i am not going back out till summer. I didn't much care for having to sit 2-3 days at a time no money to be made that way. I dont know if it's true or not but my observation seemed to be if you are a solo you wont see the miles the O/O teams and mentors get right now. get on a dedicated is where the money is running all 48 there isnt and well get to love NJ too

 

I think there is an extra $25 bucks in running NYC. I dunno glad i am not there anymore. got sick of the short loads to get a decent run and even then it wasnt great miles enough to feed yourself maybe.

 

I have been running pretty good. I have been averaging 2500 miles a week. Have not had to sit a day except when I ran out of hours.

 

Regardless of the bad posts you read about Swift on this and other trucker's forums on the 'Net (and don't misunderstand me, I'm not defending Swift, it's entirely possible that at least some of the bad press they have been getting is true and deserved, I don't know, I never drove for them), PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, I'm begging you down on my knees, STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM COVENANT AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!! PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ON WITH THEM-IT WILL BE THE WORST MISTAKE YOU WILL EVER MAKE!!!! My wife and I DID drive for them-twice (we believe in giving second chances) and the second stint with them was even worse than the first. After we left them for the last time in July of 2008, I filed for and received unemployment insurance in my home state of California against Covenant. They appealed the State of California's decision granting me benefits, and a hearing was held a couple of weeks ago. I am awaiting the hearing examiner's decision, but in the meantime I have requested a CD of the hearing. When I get it in the mail, I will create an MP3 of it and post it here on the internet for all to hear so they can see just what kind of company Covenant is, rather than go into all of the details here. But in the meantime, for your own well being, DON'T WALK-RUN AS FAR FROM COVENANT AS YOU CAN GET!!!!

 

I meant, don't get starry eyed from the idea of getting into the Lease program like alot of new drivers do. Swift doesn't push drivers to, but alot of newbies get the impression that they can make more money in the lease program than being a company driver. They later find out after all their deductions at the end of the week they barely have a dolllar to their name.

 

i won't do a lease period. Does swift offer dedicated in FL or NY?

KH