New driver reefer questions.

One company in PA does lots of West Coast runs and then back to PA.
Don't know if still hiring new grads or not. If interested, call and ask. Also, ask if the runs are solo or team; both are available.
Website: Calex ISCS - Integrated Supply Chain Solutions
Facebook: Calex ISCS & Fanelli Transport | Pittston PA

 

A few things you might want to know, if you haven't been told or thought of:
<Detention time pay/policy. Grocery shippers and receivers have had a bad reputation for taking long. I've gotten back into groceries regularly the last 4 months and haven't had much of a problem.
<Paid parking. Does the company pay for parking at truck stops? Being that your new, I'm going to guess your going to be sent a lot of different places. Finding parking in new areas can be aggravating.
<If you end up running a lot west for the produce out of CA, practice putting on tire chains in nice weather. And carry warm snow repellent clothes for this job. I wouldn't do it just wearing jeans and a pair of knit gloves. I carry Carhartt insulated coveralls. You'll learn if you already don't know PA is quick to enact chain requirements, on I-80 as well.
<Find out about either/or multiple pickups and deliveries. I have my own authority and book my own loads. I get my share of offers with multi stops, particularly during economic downtowns. How much do they pay for stops?

Reefer is not a bad business to get into. Your never going kill it financially, say compared to OD & heavy haul. But you can do alright to pretty good. And like said, people still have to eat during a recession. I've never had much of a change in my income due to an economic downturn in the 30 years I've pulled a reefer

 

Yes you will hear the reefer motor so if your very sensitive to noise your best off not doing reefer, however your better off leaving the reefer on continuous run that way you won't be interrupted by the constant stopping and starting. I never had an issue with sleeping due to the noise as your sleeper compartment is right beside the reefer motor, however with most trucks left idling overnight one also has to get used to the sound of your truck motor too while sleeping unless your company runs an auxiliary motor which will also make a noise. Note you will also need to adjust to the noise coming from other trucks parked next to you something in which you cannot control. Other options is buy a good set of ear plugs, or noise cancelling head phones. Lots of options out there also note with reefer you have a greater chance of more work as they can carry dry goods, chilled, and frozen in the spring and summer months you will be very busy with a reefer so more chance of better miles. With dry van you'll be limited to dry goods only but have the peace and quiet. Another option is pneumatic however this again is limited to only power products like sugar, grain, flour, cement etc etc. Tanker of course is liquid mostly fuel, but can be other options like milk, water, juice, and other chemicals. Last but not least your flatbed which would be similar to dry van only you'll be required to secure your load this option is used for those companies that need deliveries where loading takes place where no dock is used or open air.

 

Swift is ok, but if you're thinking about switching to different types of freight there, better ask a recruiter about that. Some areas they don't hire flatbed or intermodal, etc.
Ask the recruiter:
Do you hire flatbed drivers from my area?
Do you hire intermodal drivers from my area?
Do you hire reefer drivers from my area?
As for dry van, the answer will be "Yes."

 

Also....be sure to ask a Swift recruiter about dedicated freight opportunities.

These are accounts with a specific customer...like Target, Home Depot...or even Walmart.

If you get enough experience (with a clean record also) on a dedicated retail account -- that's fantastic grooming & very relevant experience to prep you for later joining a private fleet (with MUCH better pay, & benefits) like Ace Hardware, Benjamin Moore...or Walmart.

You don't have to settle for accounts that are near your home terminal to do this, either.

For example: earlier, I drove for Schneider out of Atlanta. However, for a while...I did dedicated runs for Target out of their warehouse facility in Stuart's Draft, VA.

Once you're inside Swift's fleet -- you may well encounter other opportunities that your recruiter didn't even know about -- in part because things simply changed in that period of time.

That's actually how I wound up with Target.

In a period where freight is generally slow (like now) -- dedicated accounts will keep you moving -- & thus, making money.



-- L

 

Freymiller has way more students waiting than trainer availability. Look elsewhere.