Diary of a current Swift flatbed driver

Son's been out of orientation since last Thursday and still hasn't been called

 

I've heard some horror stories about Swift, however, they are going to give me a chance. I've been out of the business since 2007 and hopefully this may be my ticket back into the business. Any suggestions from CURRENT drivers on what and what NOT to do?

 

As of today, and more phone calls asking what other papers had to be signed/sent/faxed/witnessed/e-mailed, We have been told that ALL papers are in , this is seven days after swift orientation. Fourteen days since last work day, as have to tell old job were we were going. And now will have to wait till after the holiday to find out when work starts

 

That sucks! Just got off the phone with a recruiter since they're offering free cdl school for vets, said i could be in school next monday. Its tempting but he wasnt sure if my area had flatbed and .26 a mile for flat. I think ill use my gi bill and go to a local school then drive for tmc, that way drivers can make fun of how clean my truck is.

 

Swift has 3 flatbed terminals: Phoenix, AZ, Gary, IN, & Greer, SC. You DO NOT have to live near one of these 3 terminals in order to run flatbed. There are certain areas of the country that Swift does very little business in with their flatbed fleet and that would make it tough to get home for hometime.

Flatbed is a very small part of Swift's overall operation. As a driver you will be treated better than a van driver and usually will have more consistant miles. When I ran company flatbed (I'm a van O/O now) I routinely had to take a 34 every week because I ran myself out of hours in 5-6 days. Even as a rookie driver I DID NOT have to clean my truck out in order to take hometime.

 

If you live in the Midwest, South or Southeast, I would suggest paying for your own schooling and looking at TMC or Maverick. Once you get in a truck you will be making a real wage (.40+/mi). You will also be with a company that you could stay with for your career. Below is a link to a very good Maverick thread. There are several drivers on there that will give you good information about their company.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../101564-heading-for-little-rock-maverick.html

There are several TMC threads, but I have not come across a good one.

Good luck with your search.

 

Yeah im in southeast Kentucky and my gi bill will pay for school. But there are a few companies that i can draw on my gi bill for 18 months through the apprentice program. Tmc included. Thats what im thinking is best, go to tmc at least for the 18 months. Then if i don't like it, move on.

 

I broke down in Little Rock for a couple of days and stayed in a motel with a lot of Maverick drivers ... they all loved thier job and thier company.

 

I though this thread died