Delusional?

[T * Storm]

Well here it is 1:21 am Saturday morning. Despite my vehement claims to being a macho trucker wanna be - I got emotional saying good bye to my "family" at enterprise-rent-a-car.

I've been researching the OTR drivers websites for over a month and have found out that there are complaints at just about every company somewhere along the road.

I am going to drive for Swift plain and simple. Just a few of the reasons are 1) They are everywhere I look where I live, so home time when I want it shouldn't be a major problem. (I can see I 80 from my Living room - IO also counted about a dozen or so on our city streets in just the past few weeks.) 2) I can go cross country solo if I want. 3) I believe in the old adage "what don't kill ya will only make you stronger. - I'm going in expecting problems and will just buck up and grow through - and due to - adversity. 4) I need experience somewhere before I qualify for the great/good /better jobs out there.

I start on Tuesday at a Swift sponsored school in Sacramento. Please, I know how a lot of you think about Swift - so spare me please, just wish me luck.

I will keep all your posts, replies and concerns with me as I go. Thank you all for your input - to others as well as to me - it has been a very "theoretical" education. Now on to the practical eduction of jumping in with both feet.

Hope to see you all out on the road - safely.

Very well said! I couldn't agree more. Everyone has to start somewhere. I started with USX, I catch grief almost daily about that. I don't care though, because like you and all of these "senior" drivers, we all have to start somewhere!

Best of luck to you!

[golfhobo]

Ha! I thought I was up all alone this morning!

Good luck to ya T*Storm!!! I agree with what you say. Just keep a good attitude and you'll find out if Swift is any worse than any others. I doubt they are.

Oh... and when things get "ugly" out there, just remember that not ALL of us are putting Swift down everytime we see them!

Hobo

[oregontrucker]

Best of luck, TStorm. Gotta drive where you're happy.
I just left Schneider and they get their share of ribbing, too.

[echoy97]

how much is swift paying you, and how often do they allow you to get home?

look at http://www.swifttruckingjobs.com/new_pay.php
all they have is example telling you aprox annual income,and its says its not guaranteed compensation.

[dollarshort]

Just because you "see them" other Swift trucks all the time doesn't mean you will be in one of them. It's a shame but that's the way it is.
I used to work for a company that used to haul probably 50 loads per week out of a place just across the street from my house. In 3 years I never once got a load out of there. Its amazing how these companies will seem to purposely "not" get you close to home when you need to be even though they have the ability to do so.

[GMAN]

Good luck T*Storm. I have spoken to some drivers who are with Swift and they seem to really like the company. I would not concern myself with what others say or think. As long as you are happy with them, that is all that matters. You should be able to earn a decent living with them while you learn a new profession.

[Meat Wagon]

BOL!

[ronjon619]

Just because you "see them" other Swift trucks all the time doesn't mean you will be in one of them. It's a shame but that's the way it is.
I used to work for a company that used to haul probably 50 loads per week out of a place just across the street from my house. In 3 years I never once got a load out of there. Its amazing how these companies will seem to purposely "not" get you close to home when you need to be even though they have the ability to do so.

You got that right..........well put

[DesertRat]

It sounds like youi've put a lot of thought into your decision, and done some homework. And what is being said is true, you do have to start somewhere. Just pay attention to what is going on around you with Swift. Make an honest assesment of what you like and don't like. That way, should you decide to move on to another company, you'll have a better idea what to look for, what to avoid and what questions to ask. Just don't get upset and leave the driving profession because of a few bad experiences. I firmly believe that there is a "perfect" driving job for every driver out there. I also firmly believe that a large number of drivers haven't found that job. With training, research and a lot of honesty about what you want / don't want, you can find that job. Who knows, Swift might even be that place for you. You'll find out soon enough.

One other thing, that perhaps your recruiter told you, or perhaps not. Yes you can run 48 state solo with Swift. But you will get home much less often than the regional drivers. I'd hate to see you fall for a recruiters "be home every 1-1 1/2 weeks" line only to find out it isn't possible. That is one of the big complaints in this business, lack of promised home time. But, it is one more thing that has to be looked at honestly by the driver. As an example, if you live in California and pull a load to Bangor Maine, you won't be home for this weekends barbeque. For the most part, it comes down to running 48 states and staying out longer, or running regional and getting primo home time. As a rule, you won't get both. But lots of new drivers seem to expect both, and lots of recruiters seem to promise it. Don't fall for that.

[meanbone79]

T Storm, I go to Front Royal Va several times per week and all of the Swift drivers I talk to see1m to be happy. Many times a good job is what we make of it. Good Luck

[Longsnowsm]

Well here it is 1:21 am Saturday morning. Despite my vehement claims to being a macho trucker wanna be - I got emotional saying good bye to my "family" at enterprise-rent-a-car.

I've been researching the OTR drivers websites for over a month and have found out that there are complaints at just about every company somewhere along the road.

I am going to drive for Swift plain and simple. Just a few of the reasons are 1) They are everywhere I look where I live, so home time when I want it shouldn't be a major problem. (I can see I 80 from my Living room - IO also counted about a dozen or so on our city streets in just the past few weeks.) 2) I can go cross country solo if I want. 3) I believe in the old adage "what don't kill ya will only make you stronger. - I'm going in expecting problems and will just buck up and grow through - and due to - adversity. 4) I need experience somewhere before I qualify for the great/good /better jobs out there.

I start on Tuesday at a Swift sponsored school in Sacramento. Please, I know how a lot of you think about Swift - so spare me please, just wish me luck.

I will keep all your posts, replies and concerns with me as I go. Thank you all for your input - to others as well as to me - it has been a very "theoretical" education. Now on to the practical eduction of jumping in with both feet.

Hope to see you all out on the road - safely.

Congrats on your job decision... The even better news is that since your in CA they cannot lock you into a 13 mth contract for your schooling so once you get some experience you have options and don't have to stick around for the 13 mths. One of the advantages of being in CA.

Have they gone over the pay scale with you? The new web site does not list the pay any longer.

Longsnowsm

[Folsom Flash]

Good luck Storm !!! I was one of the ones a few weeks back trying to talk you out of the Swift Academy here in Sacramento, but now that you're going, good luck and I hope it works out for you.

I'm at Western Pacific around the corner and just got my license this past week and graduate on Monday. I saw plenty of Swift Academy students at DMV and they were passing at about the same rate as everyone else. Some do, some don't. Give it your best shot and you'll do fine. The biggest thing I learned at DMV is "Dont't Stress" as the people that get stressed out screw it up even if they can do it in the yard a dozen times straight.

Have fun with it.

[T * Storm]

GMAN - where do you normally run haha. You're one of the first people I really want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with.

Ronjon - does your company hire from No CA?

(since I can't remember e1s name

I don't expect to run cross country AND have fantastic home time in CA, I'm a realist. My little Bro is in Morgantown, my step mom is in Morehead SC and I grew up in Schenectady, so my expected home time is gonna be like 6-8 weeks OTR, then home time. I want to buy a k1200xx or a r1150rt within a year or so and the only way I'll be able to make the money is to run run run. If I find the "romance" of the run running too thin can make an adjustment to what I'm doing.


I appreciate all your support and will write the truth as i experience it when I get the chance.

[T * Storm]

Good luck Storm !!! I was one of the ones a few weeks back trying to talk you out of the Swift Academy here in Sacramento, but now that you're going, good luck and I hope it works out for you.

I'm at Western Pacific around the corner and just got my license this past week and graduate on Monday. I saw plenty of Swift Academy students at DMV and they were passing at about the same rate as everyone else. Some do, some don't. Give it your best shot and you'll do fine. The biggest thing I learned at DMV is "Dont't Stress" as the people that get stressed out screw it up even if they can do it in the yard a dozen times straight.

Have fun with it.

I rode up to the TDA after you posted your thoughts and you are right - its not much to look at but they do seem functional. I'm there for my CDL - nothing more and nothing less. Congrats on your graduation and your CDL. Stay safe and see you out there on the road.

[tweety bird]

T * Storm

Your decision is YOURS. And if that's the way you choose to go- then BOL to you. I see nothing wrong with it so long as you have your eyes open and look out for yourself. It sounds like that won't be a problem.

I think you'll find that the reason other truckers are so down on Swift is because a lot of Swift drivers are poorly trained. They have (IMO) a shoddy training system where drivers with very little experience are training new drivers. It will be YOUR responsibility to become a good driver- to have the sense to get out and look, to pay attention and to practice.

Another reason is that truckers HAVE to pick on someone- and Swift is an easy target. Mainly company drivers in low-speed trucks. It used to be JB Hunt and Schneider getting all the flack. Things have changed.

I think the final reason is that Swift is one of the companies that pushes the lease purchase scams. It all looks fantastic on paper but the lease purchase is in Swift's best interests- not the drivers. Take everything they tell you about it with a grain of salt.

You are right, though. There are pros and cons to all companies out there. And there ARE companies a lot worse than Swift- just like there are better ones. Who is to say that Swift isn't the best choice for you right now? It sounds like you have researched your options.

Just in case you do get bit by the "buy your own rig" bug... please be wary. These 3 articles may help to keep you out of a big mess:

Trucking Scam
Trucking Ownership Tips
Buying a Truck

[CaliTrucker]

Good luck neighbor 8) ... just relax and absorb everything you can while at school, the real fun begins with the "on-the-job training"

And as you probably already know Sac traffic sux, and when in a big truck it is 1000X worse...just glad i finally found a local job where i don't deal with Sacramento much 8)

[Toothpick]

T * Storm

I think you'll find that the reason other truckers are so down on Swift is because a lot of Swift drivers are poorly trained. They have (IMO) a shoddy training system where drivers with very little experience are training new drivers. It will be YOUR responsibility to become a good driver- to have the sense to get out and look, to pay attention and to practice.

That?s a crock of crap. Swift?s drivers are no better or no worse trained than anyone else?s and if you believe otherwise then you are just extremely gullible and na?ve yourself, and as for as drivers with little experience training new drivers is concerned with Swift, that?s the myth that just can?t seem to die and won?t go away.

Unfortunately, these libels are often reinforced by incompetent ignoramuses who themselves got fired from Swift and are bound and determine to seek retribution on Swift via the Internet and I?ve witnessed this phenomena myself numerous times on many occasions. If you?ve ever worked before for Swift, like I have, these people?s lies glare out on screen because they are obvious. Apparently, you haven?t quite figured that one out yet because it is extremely obvious that you are susceptible to falling victim to misinformation and innuendo.

The Internet is a wonderful convenience and tool, but take the information it generates with a grain of salt, because while it can be used for very positive and wonderful things at the same time it can be used and abused for very awful and negative things.

I think the final reason is that Swift is one of the companies that pushes the lease purchase scams. It all looks fantastic on paper but the lease purchase is in Swift's best interests- not the drivers. Take everything they tell you about it with a grain of salt.

Reality is just about all of the larger companies push lease purchase programs and not by any means just Swift and while a lease purchase program isn?t something I?m interested in pursuing, I?ve talked to numerous people that seemed to be perfectly happy and very satisfied with the program and I?ve talked to numerous other people who felt like they got screwed.

The way I look at it is in any endeavor you will have a certain percentage of people that are going to prosper and succeed and you will also have a certain percentage of people who are destined for failure, just like when you have new people who become drivers, a certain percentage will thrive and a certain percentage will fail. (Also, a certain percentage of those that failed will blame the company they worked for instead of themselves for failing and then even seek vengeance via the Internet.)

If one day I ever decide to pursue the Owner Operator option, I certainly want do it via some company?s lease purchase program no matter how enticing it sounds because I prefer to have the option and freedom to leave and go to work for someone else if I suddenly ever experience a turn for the worse with any company that I work for. I?m always looking out for numero uno and family first if you catch my drift!

Hey T-Storm I got my start with Swift and went in with the same attitude as you and while I worked for them I experienced none of the bad things I read about on the Internet or heard via hearsay from individuals who never worked for Swift. I no longer work for Swift today because I found something more lucrative. However, if I ever lose my current gig, I wouldn?t have any hesitation or reservations whatsoever about returning to drive for Swift.

Oh and I talked to a Swift driver a couple of days ago while waiting to get my paperwork signed and he told me that Swift just announced a new pay raise that goes into effect in October. While I don?t remember any of the details, I do remember him saying that they went to a new sliding scale formula format. So congrats, it looks like you will get a pay raise right off the bat!

[Aligator]

T Storm's got the inside track!

So many of us are anguishing over making the right decision; he's decided to make the decision right! And he'll win. Because:
Life's battles don't always go the the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins is the man who thinks he can!

BOL!

[DesertRat]

"and as for as drivers with little experience training new drivers is concerned with Swift, that?s the myth that just can?t seem to die and won?t go away. "

It won't go away because it is perfectly true. Mind you Swift isn't doing anything different from the rest of the training companies, and I am not accusing them of such. But, it's right on their website. You can become a trainer after 6 months OTR experience (as I said, this is true in most of the big training companies.) That is scary when you get right down to it. We live in a world of rookies training rookies. No good can come from that. And yes, Swift is as guilty as anyone in this department.