How to make more money other than experience?

Swift does not have a contract. Period. Some of the dedicated accounts pay 60k plus right out of the box nationwide. His mentor will make about an extra 3k for the 28 days or so it will take to get the 200 hours. You can be a mentor in six months.

Point being.. Try to do a year at Swift if you can.

Future employers will appreciate the fact you showed loyalty despite not being under contract. You may even find that Swift is a good long term fit when you count the bonuses and benefits. It all depends on the DM. The lanes. The terminal near your home. Don'T go chasin waterfalls.. It could be you are already with the best company in the region.

 

So someone can start the march/april and by thanksgiving be a trainer and hasnt even driven in the snow before. Wow, just wow that says it all

 

It amazes me too but the money is there point being. Don't shoot me but at 6 months one could also lease a brand new 2020 volvo with zero down and no credit check AND start mentoring the same day and probably clear six figures within a year. Not that I would mentor or lease but if you drive in the Northwest there's a reason 1/4 of the swift trucks you see are not white (company) and there is usually a passenger. All of these guys arent idiots.. Talk to them all the time. Six figures in your pocket possible prettt quick leasing and mentoring.

 

I agree. I think 2-3 years solo and/or team experience to become a mentor would be a better way to go.
And anyone wishing to become a mentor should also be required at least 3 months of team experience before doing so.

CK73 seems to only be looking at the money aspect of this, not the actual experience level with that little time behind the wheel.

 

Fair enough Moose but it is what it is. I only wanted to point out to the OP that really good money is very possible driving solo if he happens to be in the right locale.. And insane money is possible if one is willing to train and/or lease. Insane considering it only takes a couple months of training and 21 year old could technically be making close to six figures in almost no time if willing to make the sacrifices. College why?

 

Too may mentors get into it only for the money. They have no actual desire to train, and if they get into it too early they have no capacity either. We see it all the time with the posts of the nightmare mentors that really do not train at all.

I have helped new drivers that had no idea of how the Qualcom works, how to back, how to plan a trip - all because their 'mentor' was no help at all. They only wanted their student to drive as many miles as possible.
And I'd bet many of those mentors were new drivers as well and had just leased a truck as soon as they could because of the 'insane' money they could make.

 

Many times I have posted about the poor training and lack of accountability in the truck and at academy.

At the end of the day.. Dude or lady can back or they cannot. They can drive forward safely or they cannot. I cannot blame my first trainer with 2 yrs xperience or the second with 18 years.

Conclusion is backing cannot be taught. You have it or not. We have discussed this before and I am changing my tune.

So why not take full advantage as a mentor and make that extra 3k a month.. If there was a way to teach how to teach or watch the perfect video where almost anyone could learn to back that would have already happened by now. Throw them to the wolves I say and let God and the DOT sort them out.

 

Yes but a good teacher knows how to explain things in many different ways and will do anything to help you understand. U say that backing cannot be taught , u could say the same thing about teaching , that knowing how to teach cannot be taught and alot of guys that are good teachers wont ever do it because we like our sanity .. I couldnt imagine trying to sleep on my 10 with a guy 2 weeks fresh out of cdl school in control of my 80k pound rig, id have a heart attack, good,mentors are few and far between , anybody that does it just for the money should be ashamed of themselves for being a sell out

 

You are on the money...and COMPLETELY missing the boat.

Sure, it's possible to make good money as a trainer ("mentor" in the Swift system). BUT if you aren't ready, willing, capable, AND motivated to TEACH, those big dollars will beat your ###. Yes, it is true that at mega carriers like Swift you can become a trainer after 6 months. True, but rare. Not too many newbies want that level of responsibility. To become a trainer at Swift you need to go through another class, a couple of days, that unfortunately has nothing to do with HOW to teach.

All that being said, I would wager that the vast majority of Swift mentor/trainers have more than just a few years under their belt. Sure, based on the qualifications it's possible a raw 6 month rookie COULD qualify. However, I think the chances of that actually happening is limited.

That's just based on my own experience becoming a trainer at Swift. Others can chime in if they have another perspective.

 

In about 10 hours from now.. I could qq message my DM.. Request a load to Salt Lake.. Stop over in Wendover and have an awesome $10 buffet drink included.. Stay in a luxury room for $35.. Drive 90 miles to west valley.. Have my ### kissed all morning.. Trade in my almost new truck for a 2020 whatever I want.. By afternoon interview any one of 10 students.. Get them on the truck driving next day. If the lease doesn't work out.. No prob. Back to the company truck. Also.as a mentor. Go anywhere nationwide I want. Priority given above all including O/O teams. Sure there is no driver shortage.. Companies are raising their rates quarterly and kissing mentor ### just because? Give me a break.