information about swift

[mccfry]

I work at a car lot and speak to alot of swift drivers and they seem to be a fairly happy lot, its the people on the discussion boards that seem the most unhappy about the company they work for.

Geeez, what a bunch of bickering going on. I've been using this site since last year to find out about Swift and other trucking companies. What I've found out is that NONE of the companies that offer schooling are good. Any company that you put into the search engine comes up bad. I've been so confused and frustrated over trying to make a decision I've pulled my hair out many times. The problem really lies in that if we don't have the money up front to pay for the CDL class, we need to swollow our pride, bite the bullet and go where we can. What I did find out while on the road as a ride-along for two months is that most Swift drivers you talk to arent that miserable, except maybe the ones waiting too long for a load, or their truck is in the shop. We all know that all companies have those same problems, and the light loads are supposedly a norm this time of year. This is a great site, but don't use it to make your sole decision. My conclusion is.... the happy drivers are too busy to post any complaints on this site. If you really want to know the scoop, hang out at truck-stops and talk to those that aren't posting. Talk on the CB to them. You may then have a whole different prospective... or not. Drive safely all.

[danj_otr]

The way I see it, you have 3 options.

1. Don't work for Swift.

2. Don't work for Swift.

3. Work for anyone other than Swift.

Speaking from experience here.

There are many other companies out there that will treat you better than Swift and pay you better for it.

I'm partial to Crete myself. www.cretecarrier.com If you went to a Professional Truck Driver Institute, Inc. (PTDI) certified school they will hire you and put you though a training program @ $500/week. When you get your own truck you will be making 33cpm. After one year you will be bumped to 41cpm. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.

Even if Crete isn't your choice there are other fine companies to consider.

Here's a short list to get you started:

Millis Transfer - www.millistransfer.com
Decker Truck Lines- http://www.deckertruckline.com/index2.php
Roehl Transportation - www.roehl.net
TMC Trucking - www.tmctrans.com
Maverick Transportation - www.maverickusa.com

Schnieder Trucking - www.schneider.com (would be my last choice on this
list, but I've talked to a number of drivers that enjoyed working there except for the low pay)

There are many other to choose from, just do your research online.

As far as Swift goes, just do a search on this board and you will find an endless list of post telling you not to work for them.

Good luck

Everyone has to get their start evertruckerr. Nothing wrong with starting out with Swift. I had no issues with Swift until recently when I almost got plowed into by 6 of their trucks, but that is a different topic all together.

My suggestion is to get into the Lewiston, ID school. They actually teach you something!

[rickstephens]

alien i went to swift only able to stay 4 months got hungry so i had to go elsewhere what im saying is u will starve. i only avg 1800 to 2000m a week i ran everything they gave me mostly ran 450 to 550mile trips. only had a fwe 900 milers. i am now with marten and so far i love it. getting all the miles i need 2800 to 3000 a wk now plus pay is better. they do take students u might want to give them a call. and for the other post on here buzzzzzzzzzzzz yourself he just asked for some help. alien im sending u a pm if u want to call me i can try to answer more q on swift or marten

[danj_otr]

alien i went to swift only able to stay 4 months got hungry so i had to go elsewhere what im saying is u will starve. i only avg 1800 to 2000m a week i ran everything they gave me mostly ran 450 to 550mile trips. only had a fwe 900 milers. i am now with marten and so far i love it. getting all the miles i need 2800 to 3000 a wk now plus pay is better. they do take students u might want to give them a call. and for the other post on here buzzzzzzzzzzzz yourself he just asked for some help. alien im sending u a pm if u want to call me i can try to answer more q on swift or marten

Well rickstephens, I have talked to many of drivers who are doing really good with the company. While there are good and bad times, that is an industry wide thing. How much driving experience did you have prior to Swift? Reason why I ask is because I know as a "rookie" myself, I ran differently than I do now.

If you take 3 days to run 300 miles, then yes, you are going to starve. If you don't finish your run by Thursday, you're not as likely to get a run over the weekend.

I never starved when I was running for them, and I ran both OTR and dedicated with them. As a matter of fact, when I ran dedicated, I never sat unless my truck was in the shop. As an OTR driver I typically ran 2000-2750 Miles a week. As a dedicated Driver I typically ran 2500-3000 a week depending on weather I had a California run or not.

Just because you had 4 months of bad experiences, does not mean everyone does. I enjoyed, for the most part, my time with Swift, and would have probably run for them again if I didn't get on with May.

In closing, no matter who you run for, you're going to get some sort of an issue such as being paid postoffice-to-postoffice, getting run beyond empty(having to dip your tanks), or dealing with problems with the vehicle you have.

Not trying to be disrespectful, but, running with them 4 months does not necessarily give you a full perspective on the company, nor does 11 months. Every company deserves equal criticism.

You cannot tell me that your time with Marten is all roses, nor can I tell you running with May is all roses, and I will be the first one to tell you the good and bad side of the company.

[rickstephens]

ok dan i agree with taken 3 days to make delivery but not me dude i ran till i made delivery if only 500 m trip that can be done in less than a day . just saying from what i saw at swift to many drivers not enough lds. unless your a o/o or a trainer. and i sit at the gary terminal for 26 hrs waiting for a repair that did not happen. then ended up at the greer sc terminal from a tue to a fri waiting for a repair following week still did not get fixed. so lets see layoverpay wow 50 bucks after x wife gets half of that yep not much so your right all co have issues but if u take the time to read all the post and everything else about the co like swift then look elsewhere i gave them the benefit of the doubt but if you can live on 450 a week then by all means go back and wk for them. and if u liked them so much then why are u not still there being a number. and some of what i have said is from what i have found out from alot of other swift drivers from all over the county. and at least 8 defferent terminals. not counting the half dozen people i went to school with.

[rickstephens]

by the way dan i see other drivers have written run from swift all i did was write what happened to me so go and pick on someone who gives a s==t i think anyone who wants a opinion about a co they want all sides not just from the happy drivers like the ones u know i would be willing to wager there are far more unhappy swift drivers than happy ones also want to add i know how to make deliveries before the weekend but lets look at coming back on duty say on a tue and u sit for 12 hrs or longer. umm not my fought not getting any lds just came back on duty. i stayed out for 21 days made all deliveries on time or early. not trying to a smart a.. but lets really say it like it is they are only good to get started in then move on.

[Splitter]

I'm sure it's been said in the past, and it will definitely be said again, and again. Nobody is forcing these people to drive for ANY of these companies that they have chosen.
If it stinks so damn bad, QUIT!