It's actually .25 cpm to start but you get a pay raise every 3 months. Here's the pay chart: http://swift.drivers-central.com/swift-transportation/driver-pay.cfm
I was averaging around 2600-2800 when I was solo. But it kind of depends on the area you are in and the planners. You could run more and I know drivers who get more miles and I have heard some complain about getting less, but whether or not they were lazy remains a mystery.
Graduated from Swift Academy (Richmond, VA) in July. Top notch training. Yes, they teach to the CDL exam, but then, every CDL school does. When I was there, the school had a 100% pass rate, with a ~93% pass on the first exam. No, they don't do the exams themselves. You will NOT graduate from there without knowing your stuff. I originally planned to drive for Swift for six months, then jump to another company. Yes, Swift's pay rate sucks for new drivers, but it gets up into the industry normal range pretty quickly. I busted my ### on the National OTR fleet, maintaining a 100% on-time record with no incidents, and landed a dedicated position within two months of going solo. I'm still driving for Swift, and am in no hurry to leave. Swift has the miles. Get out there and prove yourself, and they'll keep you running your legal limit. If you have a large delivery window, deliver as soon as you can. Early, if the receiver will allow it. Be lazy, and you'll be the one sitting at the truck stop, griping to anyone within earshot as to how Swift is a horrible company and they make you wait four days between loads. (The reason you'd have to wait four days for a load is they have to find one with such a large delivery window that they can be reasonably sure you'll make it...) Is Swift the best company? Heck, no. They were my third choice. However, you can do a LOT worse.
Even if you are a lazy driver, like me, they will find you the loads to keep you running at your own pace. They may not be the best company for many people, but they are good for me. I just got out of the shop for a repair and I was sent a pplan. I 'may' have been able to do it if I didn't log a pre-trip and forgot about any breaks along the way. I refused it with more reasonable times. Within 20 minutes I was sent another, but with extra time to the delivery. So, I can relax a bit tonight and still have over 500 miles on the first day of the pay period. Add to that... If I send a Mac22 (late call) due to weather or other factors, they never question my decision to shut down. They never try to make me drive when I think it is not safe to do so. I have had issues with Swift, as they have had with me. But in the end I think both of us are generally happy with the other.
Company trucks are mostly Volvos, Cascadias, and Pro Stars. There are a few KWs in the company fleet as well. Transmissions will be either 8 or 10 speed. If you happen to get a truck that was speced for an owner or lease operator, you may find a 13 speed tranny in it.
OP, Good luck with your career. I am an "old guy", and just received my CDL training (and CDL-A) from a county vocational-technical school in my area. I looked around, and decided to go with Swift to start my "new" career. I begin my orientation on Monday at their Jonestown (Harrisburg PA) terminal. Drive safe!
There are no 8 speeds. There are 9 speeds and 10 speeds. An 8 speed has no granny gear. It's Cummins not Cummings people. Thanks.
