Husband is new to Swift

Hi all!

I am a truckers wife. I only drove for 6 months before deciding it wasn't my "thing". My husband started driving in late 2000, drove til late 2006, was hurt on the job, decided to get his Associates degree (2007-2008), worked for almost 2 years as a drafter, and....5 years after being out of the truck....is driving again.

He's at Swift orientation in Atlanta, GA as we speak. He was told he'd be out 12 days and home for 2-12. The recruiter failed to tell him that he'd have to park the truck at the terminal in Atlanta and find a way home (1 1/2 hrs away). This is their family plan and it's required for 90 days. He can get off of it and stay out 14 with only 2 guaranteed off and take the truck home BUT I'd rather him have the option of staying home longer if need be.

My questions are: If he stays home for more than 3 days will Swift empty out his truck at the terminal?
How does the pay period run? I know you get paid on Mondays but how does the pay week itself go?
Is it too much to expect to get 2,000 miles per week? He was told that he'd be out a week or two with a trainer, since he's been out of a truck for so long, and then get paid .40/mile.

Training pay is $500. His first check will be 7/25th. He will be in the truck this Thursday (7/14). Will the first $500 be pro-rated or will he get paid for a full weeks worth?

When he does get into his own truck will they send him by the house so he can get some items he needs (CB, roadpro cooker, etc)?

Is Swift pretty reliable in getting people home when their 12 days out is over and they are due hometime?


Thanks for any info you have!

 

Thank you for the info! I'm on the phone with him now and he says Swift expects you to get 2200-2500/week and he's in a zone where he can do family plan OR the 14 out/2 in and truck comes home. I think he wants to do the 14 out even though it's less home time option.

Money is needed now so I understand and accept the decision. Our son might not like it though.

 

He HAS to do this job with a family back home and Swift isn't giving an option about whether or not to do the family plan for the first 90 days. It's mandatory. Afterwards he'll switch to the 14/2.

See, we just moved to GA from LA at the end of May. We were able to have bills paid through July and thought that would be good enough and that we'd have jobs by now. Well, after approximately 60 applications...and only 2 call backs (1 # 8.50/hr, other at 10/hr part time - neither able to pay all bills)...he had no other option than to go back to truck driving. There has to be money to pay the bills and if no one is going to call either of us back...and one of us with an Associates Degree AND a CDL...what other option is there?

 

FYI - he will be asking about dedicated or at least regional runs. They have "comfort zones" but even then he's still out for 2/3 weeks at a time.

I am a trusting, understanding wife. I love and care for my husband deeply and would like nothing more than for him to be home. However, this is where life is right now. Until something better is offered...truck driving or otherwise...I will keep a line from our priests homily in my head. "We are exactly where God wants us to be in our lives whether we like it or not."

 

Considering I cried myself to sleep last night thinking about how I'll hardly get to see him, he won't be around for our son, and I want him to stay safe...I HAVE to remember whatever I can that helps.