SWIFT Flatbed division

[gordoUSA]

Hi:
Anyone have any RECENT info on SWIFT's Flatbed division? Mileage pay, home time, equip., etc. Is it a good place for a person just starting out and 58 on the 21st?
Any info is appreciated! Humor also.

[YoungZ.W.]

Do a search for Swift flatbed a you will find a blog by samuel9 about his starting out with Swift flatbeding and becoming an owner operator.

[gordoUSA]

YoungZ.W.
Yes I read it a while back. One of the reasons I was interested.
Thank you.

[tootie04]

Do a search for Swift flatbed a you will find a blog by samuel9 about his starting out with Swift flatbeding and becoming an owner operator.

You mean lease operator....you are not an O/O till you buy your own truck and run under your own authority. :wink:

[beemermcr]

Hi Gordo - I spent the last 7 months with the Swift Flatbed section - I am 55 - and really enjoyed it. Very independent from the van group and much better run, IMHO. I was on a dedicated flatbed run, so home every weekend and one night during the week. Our group required 6mo driving experience, but you can go flatbed in a newbie, but will spend more time with a trainer. Flatbed is much harder work than van, but you prolly already know that.

A recruiter can give you details on the financials (we were salaried at $900/wk). Although dedicated, we went through both flatbed schools (lots of flunkouts - they take load securement *very* seriously) and did a few weeks with a trainer. Most of the old-time flatbedders liked it and made a lot of money doing it - the runs were pretty long: they tend to run boxes - Gary, South Carolina, Larado, Gary. Laredo, PNW, Gary, Laredo, for example.

I left to become an owner operator (really bought my own truck) with another company that had a better pay package and would take an older truck.

Swift pay was alway right and the people were professional. Not a lot of people feel that way, but the Flatbed group was very good to me.

Paul

[gordoUSA]

beemermcr;

Thanks for the info.
I was considering taking my CDL training from SWIFT as they have a school here. I am assuming they wouldn't let me go to the flatbed division right away. The vans are "easier" as you say, and the OTR experience would be helpful also. I have been thinking that learning the skills of driving AND load securement at the same time might be a little much.
In your opinion, how difficult would it be to transfer from van division to the flatbed division after say 6 or 7 months OTR experience?
Thanks for the help and Good Luck!

[dieselgrl]

I worked for swift for two years (albeit in the van division), and took my schooling through them. My suggestion to you is to go to a state school for your cdl - its much more thorough than anything swift's cdl mill will give you. They will still put you through a finishing program for 6 weeks with a trainer, but you won't be bound to a contract.

As for going straight to flats, yes they will take you right into flatbed if that is what you want and you can pass the lifting test. IMHO their lifting test is worse than anything I've ever done on the road with either flat or van, but it is mandatory regardless of division (the flatbed test is more weight with a higher lift to simulate tarps).

Good luck!

[gordoUSA]

tndieselgrl:
Thanks for the info., I have heard about the SWIFT school verus another school. But I am closing my current business and I can see the cash will not last long enough, especially after a emergency trip to the dentist, and the schools here want 4500-5000. Grant money can take forever, only pay a portion, or is not available in the county I live in although the school is located here, or I made "too much" money before taxes to qualify.
Are the Swift trainers any good? I guess that would depend on who I would get. I think the vans might be best to start, then try to transfer to the flatbed division.
Thanks for your response. Good luck and Stay Safe!

[beemermcr]

one of the other flatbed drivers did as you suggest - use swift for school, then van for 6mo, then flatbed. worked fine for him, although he says he should have done the community college cdl program, saved a lot of $$. he said he could have worked part time, gone to cdl at comm college and been way ahead. I got the state to pay for mine, as i was on unemployment. fyi.

[inmate1577]

Just out of curiosity, would your disability get in the way with the rigors of doing flatbed work?

[redsfan]

I have been thinking that learning the skills of driving AND load securement at the same time might be a little much.

No offense to you at all gordo, but I hear this all the time on here and IMO, that's pure BS. I did that very thing, learned to drive the truck and secure the load at the same time, and frankly it's done every day. I don't see why people think to do both at the same time is so difficult. It must have originated from the same person who couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time...

[gordoUSA]

Redsfan:

Thanks for the vote of confindence! But to make sure I'll run to the store and buy a pack of gum to make sure! Practice makes perfect!

[redsfan]

Redsfan:

Thanks for the vote of confindence! But to make sure I'll run to the store and buy a pack of gum to make sure! Practice makes perfect!

Yup, and after you master that try rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time. Soon, you should be able to step into the the industry with a flatbed company...

I will correct you on one thing though. As I tell my baseball teams, practice doesn't make perfect, Perfect Practice makes Perfect!