What am I missing about Swift?

We are company drivers not o/o. We considered o/o but we looked at what would be benefits vs problems for us and decided to remain company drivers.

Swift does hire drivers who aren't trained by Swift and also experienced drivers. I couldn't begin to tell you what the percentage is currently. Call the recruitment office and ask if they can tell you. *smiles*

 

I too looked in to o/o, and right now, it just doesn't pay for my needs. Maybe later things will change, but not now.

It sounds like you have been trucking for a while? You must like it?

 

oh good Lord no! Just barely over a year but I love it. My husband is okay with it but I just love it. Although there are moments I don't. lol


In fact.....if not for the support of several members of this forum and the information I learned here I'd have given up before I even got to the school.

What we've been told by those we trust is that it will take about 5 years for most o/os to really begin to see good money. For us, the benefits of being o/o are small....we can idle and we could have a dog. But the drawbacks for us are many: payments, time lost when the truck is down, payments for repairs. And some others. Maybe if we were going to do this for 20 years but we're not. we're older and like not having the responsibility.

 

My hubby is with Swift...started in April, I think. He got his CDL due to being on unemployment and qualified for WIA. He went to a local school to get his training. Swift hired him on, and he had to go through orientation. I'm pretty sure he had to take another road test and DOT physical during orientation.

So, far he likes but I wouldn't say he loves it. He has some situations that drive him bonkers, but for the most part they are good to him. But the most important thing is,it's a job and that is what we are thankful for.

Texas_Nana- Swift trains spouses for free. Did I read that correctly? Might be an option for us if I get laid off.

 

Yes they do train spouses free AND you can request a female mentor OR that your husband mentor you.

Swift (and most companies) really like spouse teams. As a team truck you'll move to the top of the dispatch order.

 

WIA? I too am unemployed. I was out the first time for a year. Got a contract job, but ended after 7 months. So, back on unemployment and now looking at trucking.

 

Are you sure that ANY spouse gets free Academy? I was under the understanding that if the husband (just example, it could go the other way too) pays full tuition for academy THEN the wife gets to go through for free.

Remember it has been almost 2 years since I was there...but that is how I understood the terms...as you know (oh this hurts to admit) I have been wrong before!

 

Interesting. Definately, gives us an option that might not have been considered if my job falls south.

Doesn't he have to be with Swift for a year to be a trainer?

 

I think it stands for the Workforce Investment Act. I'm not 100% sure if it is a State or Federal Program. Check with your unemployment office.The ACT allows you so much money to find another job in another field after you have been unsuccessful in finding a job. There was some things he had to do to get qualified for the funding. I'll have to check with him and see if he can remember exactly what it was. But we didn't have to pay a dime for him to go to school and we didn't want him to through a school provided by a company. No contract was what we were aiming for.

 

To be the spouse's Mentor, the regular time to become a Mentor is waived...the spouse would go to the Mentor class, then pick up his/her significant other and off they go!

Nana will tell you...she had a little trouble getting her Mentor to let her learn and do some of the backing...but back then, I think even Mr. Texas-Nana was a bit leery of that pointy stick she used to carry!