Starting out for rookies

Unless Swift has changed, the truck goes home with you. When I drove OTR for them back in 1999 when I got my start, the trucks went home with the driver. I don't know about any of the dedicated though.

 

do not go to western express!!! I was cheated out of a job with them, due to the drivers that gave me the driving test, and my recruter! The recruter did not mention that i was a graduate and needed to go with a trainer, and the driving test, he had me keep the jake brake on in busy traffic, 'cause thats the way "he" drives, and "he" was a trainer! But not mine!

 

I have just completed 6-weeks training with Swift and am currently awaiting a truck assignment. Freight seems very slow, and it looks like I could wait a lot longer than I anticipated... but that's a whole 'nother story. Swift's policy on taking your truck home is that "home" has to be within 50 miles of the terminal OR your last drop. You put in your RTO (requested time off) date along with the zip code you desire for your home time, and they do their best to get you there by that date. You must stay within 50 miles of that location, with or without a trailer. There are three areas in the country where you may not take the truck overnight... Agusta (I think) and (the one that applies to me) SE of Orlando, all of the way down Florida's East coast, and I think the last one is in Califonia somewhere. You must not take any more than 4 days off at a time or you must give up your truck (I think that rule sucks). You may not take home a loaded trailer (duh).

Hopefully that answers your question.

 

Hey Cornbinder, it depends on where you live in relation to the Troutdale terminal, what I used to do with Swift was get y DM to get me a load with time on it and take my days off in the middle of the load. Remember, most all companies get mad if your out of route miles are high, so a load going past your house is perfect. I'm thinking you live in Ashland area maybe, or if on the coast region, you could (not high dollar load tho) you could reduce commute by parking rig in truck stop (secure parking) and drive home that way. But clear it with your DM first. Good luck

 

I was hoping someone could help me. I want to get into the trucking field but it seems that no company is hiring student drivers out of Florida . What would recomend for me.

 

Just wondering what company?

 

when i went to swift last april the policy stated that you must be farther than 50 miles from the nearest terminal.

 

Wish any of this worked for me in Canada. I got my AZ license beginning of January. Have applied for well over 300 companies since then with no luck to date

 

I had the "privilege" of reading Anar's quote before and after Baack edited it.
They call him the fireman. Puttin' out flames!


Reminds me of a hip-hop song that has two versions, one for the CD and one for the radio, but when it gets to the radio, half the lyrics are gone. Funny stuff.

 

power trip !!