Thinking of Joining Swift

I have talked to several drivers who readily admit to doing some jail time. Call the recruiting dept and ask. Be honest, the worst they can say is no, not interested at this time.

 

I've never driven standard much less a big rig do you think it will be easy to handle or get the hang of in training ?

 

It will be easier for you because you won't have bad habits to break. You'll be starting out fresh.

 

Hello there, I popped by since the name of the thread is "thinking of joining Swift", and I am too. hehehe I'm still a student, and Swift was kind enough to agree to take my crazy tushy, so they are cool with me. Its nice to come here and read posts from real Swift drivers, instead of hearing third-hand gossip overheard by the friend of someone's cousin's wife's brother.
My friend who has just gotten her CDL and hasn't worked at all yet: "Don't join Swift. You won't have any home time."
Me: "Well that won't scare me, I want to be an OTR driver. I'm trying to run away from home."
Sometimes I think the rumors that are out there about all the companies aren't really from drivers at all, but started by bored recruiters. It's a theory. hehehe

If you Swift drivers don't mind, I'd like to ask some questions about working for the company. A few companies I've looked at have said on their web sites that they don't "slip seat" (which I looked up, and didn't like the definition), and a few said they did (one of which took it to an extreme I can't belive they addmitted to), but most don't say anything. Second part of the upcoming question, in class discussions our instructor told us most companies try to get you a load heading for where you need to go when it's time for you to go home; but there is that way too honest company that said that after your last load before home time, you leave the truck near wherever that load was droped, and they decide how to best send you home. (BTW, this is the company my friend prefered over Swift) Steven's (I'll use their name since it's a positive comment) even goes as far as to allow drivers to customize as long as it isn't a permanent attatchment. I plan on being a company driver, does Swift give you a nice home away from home once you're driving on your own? Well, I see that they allow the instillation of bungie clothes lines, but that doesn't tell me anything since that could easily be taken truck to truck. hahahahaha (You all seem fun, a tecnicolor haired, comic book geek chick named Bob might be a good match with Swift)

Next question you might not have the answer to, happily it isn't one everyone has had experience with. I am currently on hold in school waiting for my diabetes waver so I can get behind the wheel. I've been under control for 9 years, never had a single low blood sugar eppisode, never needed insulin. If anyone knows, if all my paperwork is there for my state's DOT physical, are the Swift docs at orientation going to have any issues? Should I bring an extra copy of the paper my own doctor filled in, or any other extra paperwork? I don't want to ask a recruiter unless it's a last resort, I don't want to give any reason for them to change their minds and they always ask for your name and social security number before they will answer a question.

Last one is for Injun, do you own your truck? I've seen about a dozen Swift trucks zooming along I-75 here in mid-Michigan, (since I started looking for the company trucks) and I've only seen blue or white ones.

 

I am a lease operator. There are about 30 Prostars the same color as mine. Other makes of truck in the lease program come in all colors.

Regarding that diabetes waiver. Bring any and all documentation. As long as you are not on the needle, you should be fine. I will warn you, though. This job is not easy on people with a propensity toward diabetes. You will have to monitor your food intake very closely and be on top of it. Many people come into this and fall into the boredom eating and fast food rut. Caring for yourself on the road is not like at home.

 

Thanks Injun, I see your blog now. It's really awsome that you're sharring all that information, just the facts and your experience with leasing. Plus, your willing to help us little new people with our questions too. hehehe

 

I was new once, too. In many ways, still am.

 

As a diabetic your medical card will only be good for a year at the most. But, like Injun said, if you take care of yourself and watch what you eat you should have no problems. I'm a type II and been at this for just over 5 years.

 

Yeah, they told me at my physical I would get a one year card. I wish they would have told me what they needed for an a1c number, it would have saved me a bit of panic. I still would have freaked out, because it's the first time since being diagnosed 9 years ago that it's been over 7; but according to a doctor who posted here, my 7.2 wouldn't have kept me off the road, it just has to be under 8. Since you've been through the process, once I hand in the request for additional information (the form they gave me for my doc) to the place that did my DOT physical, is there more wait time, or do they just look to see that you are within their guidelines and pass you?

 

well all i know is it does not take much brains that is if you have any to work for swift' but hey got to start somewere but there are much better than what you think is good for you. so don't worry we will see this driver in a bout 3 months that is if he makes it that long to tell us what we already know about this bottom feeder company.