after orientation w/swift

Wow, it's nice to see that when a guy offers to help someone out on here, some extremely knowledgeable individual like yourself has to get their useless two cents in and give him a poke or two.

I'd suggest you get some practice in grammar and spelling before you add more posts on here Truckster. Either that, or change the attitude and give some of the new guys a break. Doesn't look like your loaded with experience yourself.

 

Alright first off I know because i was there and saw it first hand. I may be new but I know that everything you hear should be taken with a grain of salt. Truckster71 it sounds like you need to go and move that truck of yours...assuming you even drive. I am actually done with the mentor program and have a truck of my own. Swift just like any other job and company out there have their problems. So far my experience has been good. Well i have to get moving, some of us actually drive.

 

Usually If there are any mentors you will be on road immediately, if you require no other training after the orientation then if there are trucks available then you once again leave immediately.

 

As a former Swift driver, (now local) your training with a mentor will depend on how much experience you have, and how long you have been out of trucking. It goes any where from 1 week to 6 weeks. I had a great mentor who now is a good friend of mine.. What you learn will depend on how well you follow direction, and how good of a trainer you have. The worst of the trainers is the O/O they train just to get the miles and pay. Most O/O will have you do all the driving and they will do all the backing. That is one of the reasons why so many new drivers from Swift, CRE, and others have, such horrible backing accidents.

Swift has a very simple macro system and is easy to learn. If you follow their system they way they expect you to, then you should have no problem getting good loads and miles. One thing you don't want to do is trun down loads just because they don't have lots of miles. Even the small ones will add up quickly and if your DM see's your doing your best and wanting to driver rather than sit, trust me they will work to keep your truck moving and you can make a fairly good amount of money..

 

i have been out wiyh my mentor for three days with swift, i had to wait two days for him at the terminal, but i am happy as well with them so far

 

I have the utmost respect for my Mentor. He called off a load to wait for me at the terminal. He could have just left or taken another student, but he stuck around. He's a great guy.
So far, no problems with Swift.
Russ

 

Like other companies we have our ups and downs. I have been with swift for 1.5 years and in my experience thus far I have learned that it is a unique combo of things that leads to your experience as a driver. Things to ask are. What kind of support staff do i have behind me? Does my DM work for my interest as a driver. What is my DM's approach to his drivers? I believe it is a combo of support staff,how you operate yourr unit, how you like to run, your general attitude, and other things that contribute to your experience as a driver with swift. Honestly my experience is mixed. Good days, Bad days, Decent support staff, Rude support staff. Overall however I am content with the company.

 

Question . . . how long is orientation and what does it consist of?


Another . . . when do I receive my first check from Swift?


Last one . . . what does the payscale look like from the first academy class day until you are by yourself in a truck (the recruiter told me this and I forgot . . . and I am not able to call at t this time )?

 

The thing many do not understand is the short runs often get you to a place where the better runs are.

 

Orientation is usually 2.5 days. Day one is DOT physical, drug screen, Work Well physical, paperwork. Day two is video training on company policy and safety issues. Day three is finishing everything up, road tests for experienced drivers and truck/mentor assignment. Can't help with the academy questions. First paycheck would be a week after you start driving.