information about swift

**alien** · 04-07-2007 11:18 PM

hi everybody
i just got out of truck school recently . i don't have any experience
i just applied for swift company ..
i want to know the steps from beging to end like training and where the training will take place and how long will the period will be and what states or cities will i have to go to i come from modesto ca. also i want to know how many days i gets off during the week

sorry for asking many questions
please reply with full answers
thank u

**merrick4** · 04-08-2007 12:12 AM

Could we get the moderators to pick one of the 3 times a week posts asking about Swift and make it a sticky? It's funny, people go through the whole process of registering to post about Swift; it would be much easier to just hit the search button.

**coastie** · 04-08-2007 02:27 AM

**dannymontana** · 04-08-2007 04:14 AM

"Could we get the moderators to pick one of the 3 times a week posts asking about Swift and make it a sticky? It's funny, people go through the whole process of registering to post about Swift; it would be much easier to just hit the search button."
hmmm seems to me that thats what this site is for, is to ask questions. Even funnier is that someone would go through the whole process of registering just to whine and cry about other peoples posts on a site designed for asking questions.

**Splitter** · 04-08-2007 09:08 AM

Here's some basics for ya Alien. Orientation is 2-3 days, then you'll get teamed with a Mentor, where your gonna be behind the wheel for 42 days before you can be assigned a truck. Hometime is 1 day off for every 6 days out. In orientation you can pick your comfort zone that you want to operate in. Hope this heped a little?

**evertruckerr** · 04-08-2007 10:57 AM

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

**merrick4** · 04-08-2007 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by dannymontana

"Could we get the moderators to pick one of the 3 times a week posts asking about Swift and make it a sticky? It's funny, people go through the whole process of registering to post about Swift; it would be much easier to just hit the search button."
hmmm seems to me that thats what this site is for, is to ask questions. Even funnier is that someone would go through the whole process of registering just to whine and cry about other peoples posts on a site designed for asking questions.

First learn how to quote. Then yes this site is designed to ask questions but I don't think the SAME EXACT QUESTION 3 TIMES A WEEK. So buzz off.

**GypsySoul** · 04-08-2007 12:10 PM

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.

**merrick4** · 04-08-2007 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by GypsySoul

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.

I'll be the first to admit that you are right, and if i was working instead of sitting then I probably wouldn't be posting. But unfortunately I chose a bad compay, LCT , but am hoping to be out of here soon. Wasn't there any state programs where you are? In florida you get good training at a technical school and don't have to pay. The state pays for it. Well I had to pay, but out of my whole class I was the only one that did. Though I could have easily lied on the application and not had to pay, but I didn't want to do it. I only paid $1300 anyway and it was tax deductible.

04-08-2007 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by merrick4

and if i was working instead of sitting then I probably wouldn't be posting. But unfortunately I chose a bad compay, LCT , but am hoping to be out of here soon.

Thought you were having a ball sitting around truckstops and pickle parks for no money?

**merrick4** · 04-08-2007 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by ColdFrostyMug

Originally Posted by merrick4

and if i was working instead of sitting then I probably wouldn't be posting. But unfortunately I chose a bad compay, LCT , but am hoping to be out of here soon.

Thought you were having a ball sitting around truckstops and pickle parks for no money?

Well well if it isn't mr Hugh "$22 and a uniform" Hefner himself. Actually I was enjoying myself, but I dislike dealing with incompetence. Doesn't mean all companies are like this and if they are I'll be going back to local. I can get a job paying damn near your rate in a heartbeat. But I don't want to drive local. Though I must say if I were to drive local than South Florida is the best place to be. I just get bored real easily.

By the way man are you gay? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but you have this thing with pickle parks. I've been out here close to 6 months and I don't think I've had more than two conversations with people at truck stops.

Well that's all for me. You rest up ColdFrosty, tomorrow you have to get back to work and see the same people and the same sights. But I do recall how you mentioned how at one stop the dock worker recognized you and you got to bypass the whole line of OTR losers. Boy you must of felt like royalty that day . Well if it works for you guy.

By the way, lets not forget that I do agree with your assesment of OTR, but I'm either going to make this work or I'll leave.

04-08-2007 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by merrick4

By the way, lets not forget that I do agree with your assesment of OTR, but I'm either going to make this work or I'll leave.

Well, despite all the blatant hostility directed towards me, I do wish you the best. Not sure why you took my post as being an attack, I honestly thought you enjoyed those aspects of the job. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Oh well. Happy Easter to you and yours and I sincerely hope you find what you're looking for!

**merrick4** · 04-08-2007 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by ColdFrostyMug

Originally Posted by merrick4

By the way, lets not forget that I do agree with your assesment of OTR, but I'm either going to make this work or I'll leave.

Well, despite all the blatant hostility directed towards me, I do wish you the best. Not sure why you took my post as being an attack, I honestly thought you enjoyed those aspects of the job. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Oh well. Happy Easter to you and yours and I sincerely hope you find what you're looking for!

Well thank you. Excuse the blatant hostility. You know you always are posting negative things. Though not really personal attacks but general ones. Anyway I do apologize.

I do enjoy the traveling aspects but like I said it's the incompetence. You know sometimes I'm waiting to get unloaded and am really lost in my own world on the computer or reading etc and then it hits me "these SOB's are taking advantage of me". And thank you I hope I find what I'm looking for too. I think I just need to get my own truck. I like being in control of my own affairs. Not sitting out there cause same lame in the dispatch office doesn't feel like working.

Well again I do apologize and hope that you enjoy Easter as well with your family.

**GypsySoul** · 04-08-2007 06:57 PM

Merrick... When I re-read Alien's original post, I saw where he'd already gotten his CDL, so I... ahem... kinda jumped the gun on my comment about some of us not being able to pay for school. I didn't even think of State assistance with school until I read the other day on this site about it. It seems you need to be unemployed to get it? I'm not considered unemployed yet, and when I am, I'll need to be in a CDL class already! Actually I have the money for school, but need to hang onto that as a cushion for the next several months when I'm making a pentance training. :shock: It seems Arizona isn't quite as abundant with trucking companies that will loan the money for school. Even Scheider isn't hiring here. CRST runs only teams, and I got accepted with England, but deciding between them and Swift, I probably should choose Swift. I hope I didn't sound offensive when I wrote that people with no complaints don't have time to post. It goes back to the ole'bad news travels faster than good... Best of luck to'ya...

**Useless** · 04-08-2007 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by alien

hi everybody

i want to know the steps from beging to end like training and where the training will take place...

Steps From BEGING??

Are you wanting to drive a big truck, or are you wanting to operate a "Will Work For Food" Franchise!!

... and how long will the period will be, and what states or cities will i have to go to...

Well, the training programs vary in length; often, the lenght of the program is determined by how long you can go without bathing or changing your clothes.

As far as where to go, some cities are more lucrative than others.

My Advice??

Go to your nearest Homeless Shelter, and ask for the "AAA Guide To Finer Soup Kitchens Throughout America". Also, there is a magazine for homeless entrepreneurs called stINC Magazine. A very good book for helping you get started was written by the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It is entitled "Stink And Grow Rich".

... i come from modesto ca. also i want to know how many days i gets off during the week

Most "Will Work For Food" Operators have considerable flexability in their work schedules. Obviously, being open and running during Rush Hour would be to your benefit.

One more thing, if you are looking at pushing a stolen shopping cart, then STAY AWAY from the "Fleece Purchase" deals. There are considerable tax advantages to leasing, but direct ownership can also work well, as the asset tends to depreciate very slowly!!

There are some excellent programs for your computer that will not only help you in identifying the more promising dumpsters to dive in, but will also provide GPS Navi systems to help you locate them. As competition is becoming more intense, you'll have a clear advantage over your competitors.

Hope This Helps, Good Luck!!
Useless

sorry for asking many questions
please reply with full answers
thank u [/color]

**Krzysztof** · 04-08-2007 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by coastie

Hey Coastie... I was a Coastie as well... neways. I'm offended lol... All of the posts I've had about Swift and my experiences (mostly good) goin thru school and mentorship and stuff and none of your links are any of them LOL.

Here's my blog while going thru Swift School

**coastie** · 04-09-2007 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by Krzysztof

Originally Posted by coastie

Hey Coastie... I was a Coastie as well... neways. I'm offended lol... All of the posts I've had about Swift and my experiences (mostly good) goin thru school and mentorship and stuff and none of your links are any of them LOL.

Here's my blog while going thru Swift School

Well I know I did not get them all. Just looked for swift and copied the links DId not mean to Offend anyone, lol.. I'll PM you about the CG.

**Krzysztof** · 04-09-2007 09:51 AM

Yeah its all good

just raggin a fellow coastie

**shyykatt** · 04-09-2007 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by merrick4

Could we get the moderators to pick one of the 3 times a week posts asking about Swift and make it a sticky? It's funny, people go through the whole process of registering to post about Swift; it would be much easier to just hit the search button.

Exactly.

**uglymutt** · 04-09-2007 10:50 AM

Swift is a great place for a newbie to start, learn all you can then go for better job at a good smaller company for more pay after you got it all figured out, a good company is NOT FFE, I am thinkin maybe KLLM is a GOOD company...

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