Swift review, new driver

No offense but I don't see any major issues here. Finding an empty trailer and waiting for your next loads are things you're going to do with any company, especially your first year. It will take a bit of time for you to establish a reputation with the planners and dispatch. Won't take too long though. You will still get bad loads from time to time.

If there's issue with your log you should bring it up with your mentor and see what he says. Again, this isn't a major issue as far as nightmare trainers are concerned.

Yes, training sucks. It's just the way it is. Gotta pay your dues like everybody else. There's no company where you can train and not live in a strangers truck for 4-6 weeks. Just get through it and at least you'll have a story to tell about the worst employment experience you ever had.

Hang in there.

 

10 4

 

If you expect to always have a load in the wings, think again.
Sometimes it works out that way, and sometimes there simply isn't enough freight in that area to support all the drivers in that area that are already waiting for a load.

That is part of Trucking 101.

When you deliver a load and set your PTA, you go to the bottom of the list.
FIFO - First In First Out.
And people with home time requests are usually given 'some' priority.

I have sat for a day and then sent 450 miles, either mt or bt, just to reposition me to an area that had better freight. But it is miles that I get paid for, so...

The planners have a nightmare of a job, but when I have spoken to them personally they have always been polite, friendly and very helpful.
Those people are right in the middle of the loop where the knot is tightest, so I always try to cut them some slack.

 

The hours can be rough at times, but it is what you want to make of it.
I think your thinking will change for the better once you have your own truck and can control your own loads. And the pay check will be better.
Plus, you get several raises that first year.

 

It's worth it man, hang in there. If you live in a good area you can always move on after you get some experience to a better company.

 

nice! It's a good feeling to finally go off on your own.

 

$9.50 for how many hours? What's your take home a week? How long is training ?