Swift, Stevens or Covenant? Decisions, decisions...

Swift and many other companies are getting rid of their junker trucks. My GF's son is a mechanic at Petro (oxymoron!) Said that Swift is getting the Volvo's that have air bags on the steer axles. Best riding truck out here. AFAIK still no APU's.

Stephens has their own worker comp, beware! They will also try and shove a lease up your pooter. Beware! They want you to make their truck payments.

What about Werner or Crete? IMO Crete is the best out there for starter companies. Call them and see if your school is qualified.

 

Nana I stand corrected. Been hanging out on theese boards for a while checked there wbesite didn't say anything about Reefers. Thank you for for correcting me.

 

and of course they run flats also. my friend who runs for swift has a dedicated for them running reefers

 

Yeppers they sure do have flats. I have friends on the flats fleet. Sorry for not stating that.....I was just responding to the notion we don't run reefers.

Smokemac no offense taken for sure. There's a great many misconceptions about the Swift fleets. Swift has a number of fleets that are dedicated to Wal-Mart Distribution Centers for groceries. There's also other reefer fleets. I know we're hauling beer out of CA.

Fact is........I figure if it paid enough they'd have a fleet hauling dancing pigs.

 

Surferpaulie, I start my orientation on March 21 in Dallas. I may try to get bumped up a bit sooner if possible. Stephens is an irregular route carrier and pulls reefer, runs all 48 states and Canada. Probably the biggest negative is they expect drivers to stay out 5 weeks at a time and then home 5 days. Depending on your situation this could be a drawback. I think I could handle it. You will get plenty of miles with Stevens. The equipment you run is a Kenworth t2000. Since you will be spending most of your life in a truck I feel it is important to run good comfortable equipment. From all I have read their training is pretty extensive. Their pay is not the best. Most of these starter companies all seem to start about the same. You get 3 pay raises with Stevens the first year and end up with .30/mile after a year. Stevens pays $350.00/wk during training. Pretty much standard for all companies to train. The nice thing about Swift is they pay $450.00/wk. during training. Surferpaulie you may want to call Denise Torres at Stevens, 800-434-8615,ext.1746. A pleasant lady who can email you all sorts of info. Even though I am signed up for Stevens, until I get there I am keeping an open mind about companies! Keep me informed on your investigating and good luck to you.

 

Surferpaulie keep us posted on what you decide and why you decided on it. Then once you go to work for the carrier tell us how it works out for you. It will help others make an informed decision

 

Surferpaulie, Congrats on your graduation tomorrow, the 3rd. I got a prehire letter from Stevens, US Xpress, Convenant, and Swift. March 21st was actually the first date I got from Stevens and I said you got to be kidding me. They said they were scheduled out that far. I backed off US Xpress until March 8. Did not chase Covenant for a orientation date nor did I with Swift. I have had some projects I have been working on so the timing for March is not bad for me. Well my project is coming to an end by end of next week so I am really going to press Stevens to get moved up. I graduated from Roadmaster Driving School here in Columbus, Ohio Dec.24. I am pretty much set on Stevens unless I decide on US Xpress at the last minute. They drive automatics and I'm not sure about them. Their drivers all seem pretty happy and no complaints. Surferpaulie do you have a particular type of trucking you are interested in, Regional, Dedicated, OTR., Dry Freight, or reefer. Flatbed, Tanker? Well good luck to you tomorrow!