The New FFE Driver Academey

You're not offend ing me at all. It appears that FFE is slowly changing for the better. They have a history-long history-of taking advantage of drivers and messing up their pay. It's easier to get your money now days. Remember that 15-20-30 yrs ago there were no cell phones for normal guy. No Qual Com. You would sit on long distance call on your dime and it led to a lot of fights and worse. And reefer drivers are always rolling. They didn't have time to piss around w/bad dispatch/ accounting. FFE was one of the worst. They are better. Looks to me like dozens of others have just gone the way of the old FFE. Read the England, Werner. etc threads. Nuts. Still sense a little tension on this thread from time to time. That is normal. No one is always going to get your paperwork correct. It's up to you to CYA. As long as it is rare you're gonna have to get used to it-s#$t happens.
As for heat warning. That is for all. Any driver. Seen a lot of people get really hurt by not paying attention to their hydration. I live in Weatherford just w/ of FTW. So I know it is extra hot this yr. Too many, especially young guys think they are invincible. You're not. And you don't want to waste a few weeks of learning just to get sent home or worse. Drink your #### water. lol Feel like I'm talking to these darn Afghans they bring on base to work.

 

Honestly as an outsider (not a trucker yet) looking in, I would venture to guess that keeping your own perfectly duplicated records would solve 90% of the issues that might arise. The number of real issues with various companies would dramatically drop likely as well. I think that any company in almost any industry will screw you if you have no way to defend yourself, CYA. Generations past CYA was common sense, now it has to be taught and reinforced as a new concept. But I don't think copies and paperwork even solving problems and removing mysteries will ever stop people from complaining about how miserable their job is or how much they despise their former employer/s, that's just people. One man's hell is another heaven, or the grass is always greener. What may not fit for anyone, I may actually like. I am just not brave enough to try that theory with company's like Swift, Werner or England.

 

Swift is not in the same league with Werner,England, Stevens.

 

That's just it. haha

You say that and I am sure a few hundred others do as well, but I can find as many complaints about Swift as I can any other company. In fact to be honest there are so many disgruntled ex-employees out there I bet you can find serious complaints and allegations of theft, abuse and scamming that has supposedly happened by just about any company you could probably name right?

It is frustrating to those of us peering into the industry and considering it as a career choice. Those of you with all these years of experience are very fortunate to have learned the ropes and seen the downfalls of many aspiring drivers. You KNOW what companies to avoid. We noobs read these forums and according the bad company section all companies are evil. This is why I am so grateful for threads like this when the good, bad and ugly is exposed as much as possible. It almost gives a real world view of how things really work.

 

You can talk to people here like Nana and they will give you the skinny on Swift. If I had to choose I would probably go with them just because of what people like her have said. But Playmaker has made a good case for FFE improving. I'm not ever going to pull a reefer again. I like skate OD freight. Just me. Give it a try. The right guy can do well and there is always freight. The food chain is security.

 

What is there average length of haul?

 

Playmaker, Spat and the other recent FFE graduates,
I am in the same situation that most of you were a few months ago; your input has been invaluable. After reading through this forum and many others on the web, much of what I learned here is the reason that I filled out the online application for FFE training Sunday. Jerry Wren called me bright and early Monday morning and got the ball rolling. We had a good conversation. He told me to expect to hear back from him in 2-3 days. Prior to that I had filled out an application for Central Refrigerated. Two days later, their recruiter sent an email setting up an appointment for a telephone interview. I think FFE is much more timely and I really appreciate that.
Just as Spat said many of us previously were in different professions and have higher university degrees, but in this economy those degrees aren't feeding us. I have climbed to very high corporate heights only to get splinters on the way down. I just want to meet my financial responsibilities and stop waiting for the next axe to fall. I've never been afraid of hard work as I grew up farming and ranching and these were not jobs designated as men's or women's- just work.
Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for providing great information and I hope to soon be able to post and let you know that I am on my way to the academy so, I can soon join the ranks of the other FFE professionals.

 

Just got confirmation I start on August 18th- cant wait!

 

is it hard getting 2500 miles a week at least?