Not much time and only one shot at this. Please help.

Thanks for that info. I'm still waiting on my TSA bg check to come back for my hazmat. I've heard of Swift, but often not good things. I wonder why they get such a bad rap when they have all those positives you listed? I know I gotta start somewhere and "do my time" to get the experience, so Swift is definitely not off the table.

 

Swift's the largest carrier out there so the more trucks you have the more chances that one of your trucks is caught doing something stupid.

 

In truth...it's probably several different factors.

Given the volume of drivers that come in Swift's front door(s) every week -- do you really think most/all of them will actually soon be happy campers?

Most of them have no real clue what they have in fact signed up for.

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They probably thought that trucking would be a cakewalk -- & they would make a lot of money, right from the start.

It's generally not like that at all.

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They soon learn that beginner pay is generally modest (it's based on experience) & driving a truck is actually REAL WORK (besides just holding a steering wheel, & seeing the sights).

And thus -- the complaining starts. The poorly informed later make negative comments.

Also: not everyone who comes in Swift's front door(s) is actually, really cut out to be a truck driver.

When this later pans out to be the case -- who do you think gets the lion's share of the blame?

Also: when many new drivers make mistakes (like banging into things) -- they later find that these mistakes stay with them -- for at least a while.

It's a "reap what you sow" world out there....& nowhere is this more true than with driving big rigs.

Many new drivers simply aren't familiar with the concept of "you reap what you sow".

None of the starter fleets (Swift, Schneider, etc) have a curriculum for bad parenting.

 

A comparison....

When I first started out in the CDL world -- with Schneider (in Atlanta) -- I was (after their orientation) put on a trainer's truck....for LESS THAN ONE WEEK.

Then...I was assigned my own tractor...& basically, thrown to the wolves.

In my opinion (& most others here I think would agree) -- one week (or less) on a trainer's truck (for a complete newbie) is simply NOT ENOUGH.

There's too much to practice & learn...for such an incredibly short period of time.

You -- on the other hand -- as a rookie with Swift...will probably be out on a trainer's truck for at least 3 weeks...maybe a little longer.

At the appropriate time -- you could ask a recruiter about that.

3 weeks out with a trainer is much more reasonable....& of course gives you MUCH BETTER prep...for the challenges that lay ahead.

Also...with Swift...you are much more likely to see all of the lower 48...if you stay with them long enough (1+ years).

You really should stay with your first carrier for AT LEAST ONE YEAR. Longer than that of course...makes you look even better to subsequent employers.

Conversely...with Schneider....being from south Georgia -- it's highly unlikely with them that you would ever go west of I-35 (with dry van, at least -- their tanker fleet may or may not be the same).

Because of the above...I generally don't like to recommend Schneider...unless it's a last resort (like it was for me).

FOOTNOTE: Later on -- if you find that your trainer & you are having problems...or...your trainer is simply not doing a satisfactory job with prepping you with the skills you will later need -- DON'T BE GUNSHY ABOUT ASKING YOUR CARRIER FOR ANOTHER TRAINER.

-- L

 

Still more Swift advantages:

• If you encounter really bad weather &/or bad road conditions -- PARK IT! Swift would MUCH rather you shut down -- instead of trash/crash a perfectly good rig, by getting in over your head. Just let dispatch know what you are doing, where...& why. In short -- there, you are indeed "captain of the ship." To be fair, however -- it's also like that with other starter carriers, as well.
• No forced dispatch -- but I'm not familiar with their exact criteria for this option.
• A variety of tractor brands. I've seen Swift trucks that were pretty much everything out there but Western Star. With other fleets -- it's mostly one brand of tractor. TOO BAD -- if you later decide their one steed of choice truly sucks.
• As mentioned earlier -- different types of freight, but with the same carrier. Stick around long enough -- & you could later pull loads that are:
  • reefer
  • intermodal (NOT a good choice for total beginners -- get at least 9 months exp, elsewhere)
  • flatbed (I remember you said earlier this is a bad option for you ‐- but if they also do conestoga loads...maybe not so much)
• If Swift later makes you an offer -- ask if you can attend their "Top Gun" school -- it's mainly for those who just got their CDL.

~~~~~

Where you start driving is of course strictly your business.

But...as you can see from the above...you can easily do worse elsewhere.

A LOT worse.

-- L

 

@lual Thank you very much for all of your insight and detailed advice. It's helping me to be able to make more informed decisions and this is a BIG decision. I really appreciate it.

 

Biggest complaint on Swift Ive heard from ex-students was not enough money. Either because of not enough miles, or recruiter expectations being way over blown. There have been some threads on this board about their trainers.