You can't drive OTR by federal law until 21. You need to find companies that hire 21 YO's. It isn't the company or sweet talking anyone. Feds and the insurance companies.
That's where I started in 94..stayed almost 2 years and moved onto a local job for 3 years before the the bottom fellout..It wasn't too bad,mostly ran upstate NY or TX when a load was available going that way..Tons of freight way back then..But you gotta start somewhere..I bet the complainers haven't quit yet..
I talked to a Swift driver about a year ago he seemed pretty happy with them, he also stated there was plenty of Frieght and that is huge in this business. Some guys well tell you I am not doing more work for less money. I fell a little money is better than no money. Another point if you are on the road sitting around a truck stop and you are not pulling any frieght you are still responsible for the truck. So the way I see it you are still working for nothing. If you do decide to go with Swift or another OTR company start getting your endorsements, Triples, Tanker and HazMat, that way if you decide to go to another Carrier you are more marketable. This econmey isn't going to last for ever and Trucking will be a decent way to make a living
From someone who only just competed Swift school, I am happy with my decision so far. One thing I have learned from my research is that all training companies suck, but Swift sucks less than a lot of the others.
There will be rough times ahead, but ride it out. Learn what you can and re-evaluate in a year. I did and stayed due to the economy. If you have a bad DM, talk to other drivers to find a good one and POLITELY switch. If you have problems, talk to your DM and try to have a resonable solution handy. They are not all evil slimeballs.
can anyone say anything about swift . i am going to school in tenn .what the hotel like. how much money will i need .whats the school like? and how long will i be at the school .
I have been here a while but just reading posts. I have been deciding whether to go to school for trucking and was doing research. I have just been accepted to Roadmaster school here in San Antonio and have been pre-hired by Swift and covenant. I am leaning towards Swift. Since I am not a kid and a little more mature than most newbies, I am not going into things with rose-colored glasses. I have read all of the advice here and will take all of it to heart. I want to thank all of the truckers here who post positive replies to questions.
