Thinking of starting my trucking career at Swift (Richmond, VA)

What's the age requirement for Swift?
Weight won't be a problem as long as you can pass the physical.

 

Looks like you're good to go then.
Trucking is a great career. I tried factory work for a two brief periods and hated it with a passion, so I understand what your feelings are. By brief periods I mean about a month at one place and maybe 4 months at the other. Trucking was what satisfied me and running coast to coast.
Good luck and best wishes; you will do ok as a long haul trucker.
@Moosetek13 is a good one to answer your Swift questions.

 

When it comes to sleep apnea questions - you're best friend is the word 'No'.

Ditto all other medical trickery questions.

 

That's good advice!
Example : "Do you snore?"
Answer : " I don't know because I'm sleeping, but my girlfriend says I don't."

"Do you wake up often while sleeping?"
Answer : "No, just when the alarm clock goes off."

 

You are paid for all dispatched miles, including deadhead or bobtail miles to pick up a load or get a trailer.

Personal use of the truck as you described will result in your duty status changing to drive time. You can never unhook from a loaded trailer. Plan your route and schedule to take care of shopping before you might be laid up at a terminal or truck stop. Terminals have shuttle vans to take you to a Walmart or hotel.

On home time I regularly drove bobtail 50 miles home, took my days off, then bobtailed back to the terminal the afternoon before going back on duty. As long as you have SECURE parking it should be okay. My home has a fence, locked gate, and a pit bull aptly named "Tank".

 

You can request a mentor by smoking or nonsmoking, or whether you prefer a man or woman. I highly doubt any mentor has a pet. Once you are paired with a mentor he/she will call you to set a time and place to get on the truck. You can ask then if they have a pet. If for some remote reason the answer is yes, then decline the mentor and ask driver development to assign a new mentor.

 

My first thread here is about my experience at the Richmond swift academy. Here's the link if you're interested. Be warned, it's not exactly a rave review.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...hreads/swift-driving-academy-richmond.311622/

I'll try to answer to the best of my knowledge:

Will I be discriminated against by DOT and/or the instructors for being majorly overweight? I'm 6'3" 340lb but I have no medical issues such as diabetes, heart disease, breathing issues, etc. I currently work at a factory busting ### for 12 hour shifts in 100+ degree heat without any issues. I was watching a review/vlog on YouTube about Swift driving school and how he said they gave the bigger guys a hard time always asking trick questions like do they ever feel tired during the day trying to get them sent home.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were asked all that. And if they asked about sleep apnea. Just say no you don't and you'll be fine. Expect to be outside in a parking lot in 100 degree heat all day during training.

Can I use my company issued truck for personal use when off duty? Like say I get stuck away from home taking a 34 hour reset. Can I unhitch the trailer at a truck stop or wherever and go out to do personal business such as laundry, shopping, eating out, going to the movies, etc.? Would I have to pay for gas?

No. You can't use the truck for personal conveyance. But you can "search for a good parking space" when you take home time. Just can't move it till you're ready to head out after you've parked it.

Are you paid for time spent driving with no load? Like say I drop a load at one location and I have to drive 50 miles down the highway to pick up my next load. Am I paid for those 50 miles driven? Does this ever happen?

Yes. Any miles dispatched whether loaded or empty are paid. Only unpaid miles is when you drop a load before home time and are driving the truck home.

When getting paired for a mentor, I've read you can only request for a smoking, non smoking, or no preference mentor. Can't choose a preference of age, experience, gender, etc. What about requesting a mentor that doesn't carry pets? I am allergic to fleas and personally wouldn't make it being trapped in a cab for weeks on end listening to a little rat dog yap every time you move your arm or a cat that constantly wants to rub up on you

Pets aren't allowed in swift company trucks. As far as lease mentors.. You can definitely request it and it'll happen. If there's anything about the mentor you don't agree with you can request a different mentor. Just keep in mind that while waiting for that mentor, you aren't paid.

Is home time once a week required? I'm 22 still living with my Dad with no kids, bills, etc. I only see my family on holidays anyways. Having to head home once a week for a single day would seem like a drag and cut into my mileage. I'd rather stay out as much as possible and let the people with kids and wives/husbands go home for weekends, holidays, etc.

You don't have to take time off if you don't want to. They'll let you stay out there for years if you so desire.


And finally. If your area has a lot of dedicated accounts, hit those companies up. Tell them you are going to swift academy to get your license but would be interested in working for them after if they will reimburse your tuition. I'm very certain that majority will. The one that I know does for a fact is Schneider. Because that's what I did. Got my license and didn't do the mentor program. Instead went to Schneider and have been mostly happy since.