Swift Is Good

Probably better stick'n it out for 6 needed a year would be better but only time will tell. I have talked to a few Swift drivers they seem to happy but they also don't look for much home time. When it's all said and done most cos. are the same each has it's own BS. As they say in the shoe store if the shoe fits ware it if not look for another pair meanwhile get as much experience as you can helps on the next go round.

Taks care sixpak

 

Swift has been really great to work with so far for me anyways. They have been running me pretty good so I'm not going to complain. I got into this to make money not go sightseeing. If I get see something cool that's just a bonus.

My DMs are great to work with and understand that I'm still new. All they want and expect is that you and your load gets to it's destination safely.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I to had the chance to run with Swift 11 years ago short time tho my trainer and I got along great and I had no real problems quit for other reasons.

Glad to hear your doing good and I wish you continued success.

 

Im wondering with Swifts training i was told it is for 23days 207 hours will training be mon-sat or mon-fri, Im sure the hours will be long.

 

I called Swift to see about the payback process and how it works , swift pays back if loan is involved they reimburse the 3900 over 26 months

 

Hey rixcamp. I'm considering Swift out of Phoenix and having them pay for school...whole nine yards. Your post was positive about em do you still think that way?

Thanks

 

Okay. I have been reading posts on this board for the past few days. I do not have my CDL but will be going to a trucking company who will train me, then put me on the road for a year or two to get tuition paid. My three companies I have been looking at, are Swift, MCT and Schneider. There is a local firm here in town (des moines, ia) but they require a CDL permit first. I am not going to the local college for 3-4 weeks just to get that, THEN go to class. I dont like you have to come up with $150 for Swift, and TMC dont charge you a "sitting fee". I read horror stories about Swift underpaying because planned mileage and actual mileage is off by 80 or so miles. I hear about bad equipment, bad trainers, etc. Then I come to this board, and everybody seems to like them. So...tell me...what is the scoop on them? I almost caught up with a Swift driver at the truck stop here in town, but by the time i was walking out, he was taking off.

someone let me know. Schneider, i'm told is the best.......

 

You can get your CDL permit without attending a school. You get it by passing the written exam which is not that hard to study for on your own. You will only find one or two companies in the industry that are startes that pay "practical miles" which more accurately reflect what you drive, but even those are short. Practical miles usually run 4 to 5 percent less than the actual miles you will drive. The majority of the industry, not just Swift, pay HHG or household goods miles. These can run 10-12 percent less than what you will actually drive. Swift has pretty good equipment. In fact they are now buying International ProStars, some of the newest trucks out there. EVERY company has good and bad trainers. Read the thread about the Werner trainer for example.

Swift is not a bad choice. Schneider is pretty good. Cannot say much about TMC or MCT. Best thing is to do what you tried to do with the Swift driver. Talk to as many drivers as you can at truck stops from the companies you are considering.

Personally, I drove for Swift and they treated me well. I would not have a problem with driving for them again but they are not hiring re-hires during their downsizing due to truck availability. IF I could drive for Schneider, I probably would. They were the first company I applied to and then they changed to team only in NM and now they rarely have openings here.

 

Thank you for the post. What I dont understand, is how can Swift send me thru training, then send me on the road with a trainer, say 'we'll hire right out of class', if they are downsizing, and other companies freight loads are lower, etc.

 

They have been doing some weeding out and letting atrition do its work in the downsize. They are choosing newbies like you over experienced and rehires because a rehire or experienced driver needs a truck right away while newbies have the six weeks of road training. They are not hiring as many as they have in the past but they still have to slowly replace those who are leaving after their one year experience. I was told they expect to start taking rehires and experienced drivers again at the end of this month. They are most likely actually picking up freight contracts now from companies that have closed their doors. I know the Werner O/O recruiter said they are seeing an increase in "new" customers.