Diary of a current Swift flatbed driver

According to schmud this is a 2010 Columbia. This is typical of the flatbed Columbias I have seen at the Phoenix terminal. I have also seen a couple without the fairing on the sleeper.

 

Afert reading this thread and not hearing much negative, I called the recruiters. i worked for swift in o7, and quit after my truck malfuctioned. I was pullin a van goin over the eagle headed tword chatanooga and the jake cut out. I was around 78,500 lbs and had already passed the trk ramp. The truck had been in shop four days "fixing the problem". when it hapend i tried every thing i could to get the jake back. but it was gone. So i got on the CB and called the law on police band told them of the problem and that i was gona try and ride it all the way. I tried brakein her down but they just went to smokin, so i rolled with it and kept the greasy side down, white knuckles all the way.. troopers waitin at the bottom told me to sit and wait a couple hrs for the brakes to cool. I like a dumb ##### called and started #####in. I reget quiting. While i waited i looked into the jake problem, 1 wire going to the switch on the clutch pedal had seperated from the switch. I fixed it in less than five mins. Long story short I have learned to keep my cool a lot better and my mouth shut. I got into flatbeding after i quit and wanna give it a go with swift there always movin from what ive seen.

 

Movin freight is right, I hadn't unloaded my Oregon to PA run when I get a beep with a preplan from Baltimore to California.

 

How many open deck trucks does Swift operate?

 

Their website simply says "over 500". IIRC, 500 was the number they had when I pulled for them. It seems like they have more now, but I can't say for certain.

On that note, they even have a nifty little video. Doesn't tell how many trucks they have, but it is mildly amusing.

 

Hey guys and gals, I finished up Swift's academy and tested at the DMV last week to get my CDL-A. Ive been driving concrete trucks and firetrucks for the last 10 years and finally decided to move up to the "big-boy toys". I am starting orientation monday morning in Greer, SC. Do any of you guys know a flatbed mentor who would like a student for the next several weeks? I sure would like to get straight on a mentors truck next week and not have to wait for a spot to open up. Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!!

 

I'll be coming to Greer, SC next week too! I hope I get a mentor right from orientation to. Anybody know what they actual wait time is for a mentor? Do you have to train with dry van and move into flatbed and do another 240 hours? What are the physical requirements for that division? Thanks.

 

is this required for all trucking companies no matter who you go with?

 

I've never taken any such study.