As many of you may have read, I decided to come out of hiding and get back into the industry after Wal-Mart decided that finding reasons to get long term associates (nowadays that's 5 years or more) to leave/fire them made financial sense in order to cut payroll (there is actually a memo from home office encouraging store level management to get higher paid hourly associates who don't want to go into managment to "leave") . I chose Swift mostly because they have a terminal here in El Paso. I never spoke to a recruiter until after I filled out an application through the school I attended 13 years ago (International Schools), I qualified for and took their refresher course and got my CDL re-instated. So far the only money I am out is the cost of the CDL and physical. As for Swift, I am leaving for orientation in Phoenix this Sunday. I know to believe only half of what I hear on the forums and disbelieve half of that but I am just curious as to what to expect. I was hoping to do orientation here in El Paso but for whatever reason I'm being sent to Phoenix. Oh well, If they want to save me gas money on the commute from the East Glen area to the valley for the three days of orientation, that's cool. Having been through orientation before at Stevens back in 1998. I kinda know what to expect as how it will proceed. I remember the basics but I know every company does things differently so I know it's not going to exactly be review. The only thing I can say about Stevens is back then they sprung for a plane ticket. So any way, I was hoping some of you that have done orientation or work for Swift can give me an idea of what to expect. I know trucking is not going to be roses and sunshine. I worked my ### off at Stevens, mostly because they stuck me in the midwest/northeast hauling meatpatch loads to the east coast and hauling candy back to Chicago, and I was out 6-7 weeks at a time. Since I have a family now, I don't want to stay out that long but I also don't want to sit at home not making any money, I've been doing that since December and beleive me, it's not all it's cracked up to be! Anyways, thanks in advance for any advice, warnings, death wishes, etc. you can give me.
Personally, I can't tell you anything about Swift as I've never worked for them. There does seem to be a good number of their drivers on the forum and they seem quite content. Good luck to you and be safe!
Packrat, Understand what you are going through. Try the Swift section here: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/swift/ I am going to Swift as well. It will be interesting to compare notes. Best of luck to you in Phoenix. KH
