4 days....I'd have been on the phone with my DM. If you've been running good miles with no issues, no reason to sit you. Unless you're on safety hold for something obscure. I would think that if it's because of this local thing, they'd be routing you back to your terminal. So...fall and spring stuff and you'd be one of the local guys. How do you intend on supporting your family this winter?
Injun. I was wondering if you would weigh in. I don't know you but being hear a short time I value your opinion. They told me they have plenty of work year round. They told me they expect me to use my 70 hours every week. They did say that when its bad weather, slow, most of the of the other guys go home. He said I could help the mechanic, do the local stuff or take time off. They have 3 vans and I believe 1 reefer they run when there main business is slow. Always something to be moved. They have been in business for 80 years. They have customers that rely on them. Nothing has been offered as of yet. if my wife figured right getting paid hourly for everything but sleeper berth should make up for the difference. But with me being home more my wife is a certified personal trainer. She could take on more clients. She has a waiting list now. She is the only female certified personal trainer in a 50 mile radius. My family and I have some thinking to do if a job is offered though.
As for the dm I called him and he told me freight was slow. I have been getting short loads with a lot of time on them. That's all. But work is work. My dm has been a little off since monday though.
If a better opportunity presents itself, you would be foolish to pass it up. Check this company's CSA score, if you can, look for a credit rating, look at what their DOT number is, talk to their drivers. Most important, talk to your wife and decide between the two of you what is best for your family. Seek counsel of some other experienced drivers who work with smaller companies. They will give you an idea what to look for in a small outfit. BlackW900, 07-379Pete ....would be good starting places. They both work with smaller outfits. Don't go off what someone says when their knee-jerk reflex is "get out of Swift, blah blah blah." You have to weigh the pros and cons of both companies and make the choice that's right for you and your family.
I have my reservations with this post. As I said before thank you injun I was hoping you would weigh in. You remind me in word not in person as I have never met you of my late grandmother. Wise almost always answering questions with questions. Not afraid of your own opinion. It has been brought to my attention my grandmother was always the one I went with a problem only after my wife obviously. She passed exactually 1 year before I received a request for the interview with this company. I do not believe in these things. I do subscribe to the my grandmothers favorite sayings. Good things happen to good people. If she is helping me in my life. Then I might have to start believing in guardian angels. Like I said a little melodramatic but the thought brings a smile to my face.
Injun is exactly right. Interview the company interviewing you. Interviews are not a one-way street. If they have favorable ratings and comments, you would be a fool not to take their offer. If it doesn't work out, Swift will rehire you one more time (but that's it and only if you leave on a good note). Just make sure you have more than 6 months solo before you leave or else you'll have to start all over with a mentor and at $0.25 CPM if you come back. I can tell you with conviction that freight really is slow right now. I have friends at my terminal that are DMs and planners and they wouldn't tell me freight is slow if it really wasn't. I believe that it has something to do with the economy headed into the toilett even more than before. Likely, even in a local job, as with all freight companies, you'll be feeling the pinch.
The company has been thoughly gone over. Between my wife and my father everything checks out. They are also grain brokers. The driver I talked to said when things get slow you move their grains. They either buy it from their customers or take it to coops for them. He reiterated there has never been layoffs in his 15 years there. He takes time off when things get slow because he can he says. Leaving swift if it happens is a huge risk with 4 months experience but on the otherhand. A job like this where I could be home daily is worth the risk. The driver told me being hourly and getting usually 80. Hours a week. I should make out better than I do now doing the math. There is a risk in everything. Another grandma wisdom. If there wasn't a risk would there be a reward?
ur family is gonna love u no matter wat ur decision is. my question is about u. how much do u enjoy driving otr? if u took a local job do u think u would be happy with that? or do u think u might miss the open road? also sounds like ur drivivg background is perfect so far and it's important to keep it that way. grandma's wise words also says "don't mess with perfection" or "if it ain't broke don't fix it". i've read this thread from beginning to end and it sounds like you have a hard decision to make.i wish u the best of luck.
