Looking at FFE, SWIFT, DeBoer.

macho,

After I get out of college, I am going to go to school for truck driving. Let me know if you get approved for swift and how everything goes. I am watching threads on; Swift, Star Trans, Pemberton, and Crete to see who seems to be reasonable.

Hunter

 

I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems to me that everybody stars with a company and them go to another after a while the only thing with swift looks like two years and with some others one year I just don't know I guess I will look at cpm and see what the diff is. 1 yr or 2yr lots of miles little miles I think to make any money you need to be out 3-4 week at a time.

 

well i was noticing that about swift too. I'd like to know if its worth going to a cdl school or going through swift? Come Jan of 2010, im headed to Swift or Mid Florida Tech.

KH

 

I found out ffe is not taking training nor Deboer. Think Stevens has training and CR England. but I don't know about them.

 

Hay Kinghunter do you hunt. I do.

 

I have gone through Swift's training and have been on the road with Swift for almost 6 months. Its not all that bad and if I would have been put with a better driver manager I might have a better story to tell...

The school sucked big time. The instructors did not care about the students. They would spend about 15 minutes a day to show your group (yes 3 or 4 people per truck which is common) and then after he leaves then its up to your group to "figure it out." It was like throwing a fish on land and telling it to walk. If you had a question good luck finding someone who cared enough to answer it...correctly.

You will have to put up with more B.S. than anyone should ever have to if you decide to go with Swift.

I'm not getting miles. I'm not getting paid correctly. My last 3 paychecks have been less than $200 and I have been available for loads, not declining anything and just been waitin around. They still owe me for a $110 lumper fee from 11/13 and 3 days of layover pay from 2 weeks ago ($150)...

I have thought about getting a job at McDonalds... I would make more.

BUT I'm just going to stick it out.

 

Thank you Kevin for the info. I'm also looking at a Tech School for the CDL but it looks like if I want to get the exp I need to go with someone that hires out of Florida and there is not to many. I also have someone that asked my if I want to go with him teams with Swif his already O/O with them.

 

If you don't mind me asking how much is Swift paying you a mile Kevin and what kinda miles are you getting right now?

$200 is not much money,it's bad that a truck driver doesn't make more than that.
Here's a guy that drives 80,000 pounds down the freeway that could easily wipe out a family or more,is responsible for whatever is in or on that trailer however much that maybe worth,has to have excellent skills and knowledge to deal with our precious DOT every day and that's only really the beginning of it I rankin......for $200.
But that's just my opinion anyway,all that about a lifestyle not a job I have never agreed with.
It's a job and a very dangerous one on top of that.

 

Central is owned by the daughter of the owner of Swift. I use to work for Swift, and was treated very well. Miles were not always good, as I have said in many threads, I blame my self as a new driver for most of the lack of miles and loss of money. They did at the time have the best insurance and rate compared to all the other companies I looked into..There trucks (at least mine) ran well little issues.. They do not (as far as I still know) charge you for things like idling your truck for two long, or poor fuel millage..

I left my truck and trailer at home for two weeks, when I went back north (New England) for a funeral, and they had no problem with it. All they wanted to know was if I was coming back.. If you go with them and don't like your trainer for any reason, don't be afraid to tell the trainee coordinator, they will get you a new one. Do stay away from O/O as they are in it for the money and not so much on how your trained. I have seen many new drivers fail the end of training road test, because they were trained by O/O who did nothing more, than let them drive in a straight line and that was it. As far as bumping docks, and parking at TS, they always did it them selves..

When yo do get your truck make sure you do a complete inspection before accepting it. If it is real dirty inside and out demand that it gets cleaned. If you find anything wrong that will prevent you from getting rolling especially safety related, get it fixed or ask for a different truck.

Swift is a large company and doesn't have the time to baby sit drivers to see that they are keeping their trucks cleaned. Remember it is your responsibility to maintain your truck at all times and not the companies. You and only you are to make sure you do a proper pre trip and post trip each and every day. I also recommend that you check the lug nuts on T/T every day as they can come loose and you can have a major problem on your hand if one of those wheels decides to fly off..

Well that is the most I think I have typed since being on the forums. Must be all the sugar I have consumed today. LOL...

If you want to get miles when going solo make sure you pay attention to the macro system, as it can be your best friend or worse enemy. If your DM or planner doesn't know where you are or when you will make your pick up and delivery, they won't know how to plan you for your next load.

Don't get upset if miles are low, as the economy is bad and freight this time of yr is bad.. If you want to avoid DOT inspections make sure you keep your truck clean when possible. This is the one think I have learned and yet in my three yrs of driving have not been pulled over yet for an inspection..
Well that is the most I think I have typed since being on the forums. Must be all the sugar I have consumed today. LOL...

 

Thank for the info mandeisel & doubledragon5. I think that anybody could do anything they put their mind to do and like everything you have to show that your upto the task. not kiss ### but do the best job that you can and proof yourself and everything in life is a two way street, and never forget to treat people the way you want to be treated and you can go a long way.

Macho52