need some advice

Why in the world would you give up a good job like you say you have?

As far as finding work you have to think outside the box. You have to do your job searching different than the rest. I can suggest that you download trucking companies in your area for a list. Be sure to download companies and not jobs. Weed through the list and then hit the bricks. You've got to remember that small companies and good companies do not advertise for jobs. Go out to the terminals and check them out. You'll find out what kind of operation it is and you might be able to talk with some drivers. Ask them how many drivers retire or how is their turnover rate. Most will tell you.

You never know unless you try and who knows you might get lucky. At least you can see the people and let them know you really want the job. Sometimes they can suggest a company that is a stepping stone to their company. If you really find a good company then zero in on that one and ask them what it will take to get there. If they take your application then go back ever so often to check and update the app if needed. Shoot for the top and then work down. Believe me you'll feel better when you know you gave it your all.

If you're in need of a CDL and can not afford the price then there are grants and so forth. I believe the best deal for a CDL is at your local community college. At least you'll be free of any debt to a company.

I hauled gasoline. The revenue was made from the sales of that product. I've looked into other companies like the big sporting goods stores and super markets and they tend to be the better jobs. As much as I hate Wal-Mart I've heard more good stories about them than bad. Hauling mail pays good. Like I said when the company owns what you're hauling the better the job. That's from my experience.

 

I don't need to eat a turd to know it tastes like ####

and I have spoken with them about dedicated o/o runs out of leredo and spoken to many of the o/o doing them which is where I get my info from. When you've been in this industry long enough you learn to know when someones feeding you a line of crap

 

To get experience you have to get a job . Over 20,000 jobs were lost in the trucking industry in January , over 30,000 in February . Industry analysts say there are too many trucks on the road and more cuts will be made . Where do you see any opportunity in this ? Plantations in the old south prospered . Does that mean it was good being a slave ?

 

One question, your thread is titled "need some advice". It sounds like you have made up your mind to start with Swift for training, so why ask advice if all you are doing is arguing the positive for Swift?

About never seen a trailer come back across the border stripped. It does happen, tires, lights, even doors are gone. And Swift, before they opened the Laredo terminal and started doing pre-crossing inspections (trailers going South from Laredo) with the company Swift bought in Mexico, the Swift trailers came back missing many parts. I personally can attest to that.

 

I've been a Swifty for over 2 years now. My miles are picking up. However, as a newbie, you will not get good miles. Any new driver has to pay their dues, no matter what the freight situation is like. I started with Swift during good times as an experienced driver, and still was barely running 1000 miles/week to start. Gradually, I'd say over about a six month period, they started giving me more miles. But you have to prove yourself, first, and it's not going to happen overnight.

Some newbs complain that they've done a good job for two weeks now and their miles are still low. It takes longer than that!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me emphasize this to anyone considering becoming a truck driver:

You will not earn a good paycheck until you have some experience.
You must pay your dues, just like the rest of us have.

That being said, if you can manage to live on low pay for at least six months, go ahead and give it a shot. But don't come back here after training and complain that you only drove 700 miles last week and you can't pay your bills with that and why didn't somebody tell you it would be like this?

BTW, being close to the border is no guarantee of freight. I can tell you that Swift has more freight going in to Mexico than coming out of it. Every time I go to Laredo, I sit for a day or two before I get a load back out.

 

Aint that the honest to god truth!!!!!!!

 

That's because the company adds and recruiters are telling these drivers they will make good money. 1000 miles a week, what a joke. You can make more at any minimum wage job. It's a crying shame.

 

Isn't that one of the reasons trucking has such a high turnover? Newbies come into it thinking they'll make great money, then go into shock when their first paycheck arrives, abandon the truck and go home to work at McDonalds.

Anytime I've been asked about the industry by wannabees, I tell them the only reason to become a trucker is for the love of it.

 

When I wrote you last about swift or any other big company i.e. Schneider, Swift, Warner. The reason these companies have such a high turn over rate is because of the way they pay out to there drivers. Sure you can pull a $100.00 bucks off your comdata card but only once a week and that is deducted off your check. Plus tolls ar'nt paid for in Indiana,Oklahoma etc. Only your ez pass if you get one from the company will they pay. They also are known for giving you short runs ( not many miles) with long dock times. Most times they won't pay for lumpers they will only if the shipper pays for it.Or you have to lump it yourself and they will only pay you $100 bucks or less to do it. Remenber if the wheels don't turn you don't get paid.Plus you pay for your insurance too. All from your weekly pay deductions. It adds up and adds quick. So if you can live on 400 to 500 aweek go for it. Most of the drivers who have responded to you know where you are at now as they too where there once.So if they are aka bad mouthing a company or not saying the right words you want to hear its because its a warning from them to you in truckers term. Get use to it learn the lingo and heed thier advice. They'er not bad mouthing Swift to stop you from getting hired on before them newbee. Harsh maybe? blunt yes! but you'll find out for yourself .