Stay or SWIFTly move on?

[rakusa]

Talked to a Swift recruiter today and he said that they are hiring inexperienced students, but they are not starting school till the middle of July.

What school would you be attending if you don't mind me asking? I am considering Swift too and if Phoenix is still open that is where I would be sent. Does anyone here know the pay for Swift during the entire training phase? I read somewhere it was $67/week when otr with the trainer and hope it's not true. Thanks

[Syncrosonix]

during schooling you are paid nothing. the first 2 weeks on a trainer's truck, you will be paid $200 a week. $300 on the third, $400 on the fourth, and $500 a piece for the final 2 weeks. when you're on your own and "daddy" is no longer there, starting pay is something like $.26 per mile and it goes up quickly...if you don't suck.

[Ford390pwr]

What school would you be attending if you don't mind me asking? I am considering Swift too and if Phoenix is still open that is where I would be sent. Does anyone here know the pay for Swift during the entire training phase? I read somewhere it was $67/week when otr with the trainer and hope it's not true. Thanks

I have been getting delayed by recruiters, but I am now scheduled for the June 29th class in Lewiston ID.

Good luck with your new career.

[rakusa]

during schooling you are paid nothing. the first 2 weeks on a trainer's truck, you will be paid $200 a week. $300 on the third, $400 on the fourth, and $500 a piece for the final 2 weeks. when you're on your own and "daddy" is no longer there, starting pay is something like $.26 per mile and it goes up quickly...if you don't suck.

Thanks lol, how quick will it go up? Since they don't post what you know on their website please tell...

[QUOTE=Ford390pwr;453021]I have been getting delayed by recruiters, but I am now scheduled for the June 29th class in Lewiston ID.

Good luck with your new career too!
Have you considered Central Refrigerated? If so what made you go with Swift vs. Central? Thanks again

[Syncrosonix]

like i said, if you don't suck, it'll go up in no time. within 4 months, i was up to $.30cpm. by the end of my near 25 months, i was topped out at $.39. that's because i didn't whine, complain, and was never late to an appointment. i also had zero log violations during the entire time. about a year ago, i was hitting nearly 3900 miles a week. as soon as i got east of i-35, i was being hit with pre-plans left and right. i was constantly busy while i was jamming around the mid-west, southeast, and east coast.

when you're finally solo, i'd highly suggest running the 48. you'll get more miles that way. the western united states is heavily saturated, and getting miles will become an issue.

[rakusa]

like i said, if you don't suck, it'll go up in no time. within 4 months, i was up to $.30cpm. by the end of my near 25 months, i was topped out at $.39. that's because i didn't whine, complain, and was never late to an appointment. i also had zero log violations during the entire time. about a year ago, i was hitting nearly 3900 miles a week. as soon as i got east of i-35, i was being hit with pre-plans left and right. i was constantly busy while i was jamming around the mid-west, southeast, and east coast.

when you're finally solo, i'd highly suggest running the 48. you'll get more miles that way. the western united states is heavily saturated, and getting miles will become an issue.

Thanks Syncrosonix! Very motivating and will do the the 48 as you suggested since I want to see that part of the country. Do you know if they are currently training newbies in Phoenix now? I am ready to go and will call a recruiter if so. Do you still drive for Swift and if so are the miles still good?

[Syncrosonix]

Thanks Syncrosonix! Very motivating and will do the the 48 as you suggested since I want to see that part of the country. Do you know if they are currently training newbies in Phoenix now? I am ready to go and will call a recruiter if so. Do you still drive for Swift and if so are the miles still good?

they're only hiring newbies/students. i was told this 3 weeks ago when i called to get on with my old fleet. i was rejected. i now drive for knight.

as far as trainers are concerned, i highly suggest jim kling. he'll treat you right, teach you correctly, and won't be in the sleeper berth the majority of the time. he won't put you in any situations you may have an issue with. write his name down. during orientation, you'll be asked who you want as a mentor. that's where you'll put his name down. if there's a wait for him, WAIT IT OUT. if you can't, then go on with somebody else. but, i highly suggest you get trained by him. he's worth every dollar swift is paying him and then some.

if you do end up at swift, good luck with your future days.

[Ford390pwr]

Have you considered Central Refrigerated? If so what made you go with Swift vs. Central? Thanks again

Take a look at other threads that I have started / posted in. You will see that I have looked at the only three carriers that are still training newbies, (Central Refrigerated, C.R. England and Swift) for the last two months. Swift is just the one that will accept me and has a good program.

From what I have learned, Swift is still hiring newbies, but there is a really long waiting list. Do not be surprised if they schedule you for school next month.

[jburd]

Ford390pwr,

Don't let the waiting list scare you.I was bumped up a moth for training because someone dropped out.After driving school I had to 2 weeks of waiting.It went fast and I go to orientation Tuesday and then go with the mentor for 6 weeks.

[Ford390pwr]

Ford390pwr,

Don't let the waiting list scare you.I was bumped up a moth for training because someone dropped out.After driving school I had to 2 weeks of waiting.It went fast and I go to orientation Tuesday and then go with the mentor for 6 weeks.

So they sent you home for two weeks after school? Where are you headed for orientation?

[jburd]

Yep Ford390pwr....

They sent me home for 2 weeks,that's why I got PO'd and started this thread,Werner has been calling me trying to hire me,but after reading the post,thinking it over and a look at my contract with Swift I decided to stay with them.

Half my class went to orientation with the class ahead of us and the rest will go to Lancaster,Tx. with half the class behind us on Tuesday.

Swift is swamped with trainees now and they had a mandatory 1 week shut-down-vacation to start over or something.

When do you start training?

[Ford390pwr]

Yep Ford390pwr....

They sent me home for 2 weeks,that's why I got PO'd and started this thread,Werner has been calling me trying to hire me,but after reading the post,thinking it over and a look at my contract with Swift I decided to stay with them.

Half my class went to orientation with the class ahead of us and the rest will go to Lancaster,Tx. with half the class behind us on Tuesday.

Swift is swamped with trainees now and they had a mandatory 1 week shut-down-vacation to start over or something.

When do you start training?

I was scheduled for June 1st and was postponed for a "paperwork snafu" on the recruiters part. I told her to just get me in the first available class. After much coaxing on my part, I have been scheduled for June 29 in Lewiston.

I did read about a 1 weak furlough for corporate, but that was in April.
Swift furloughs workers as recession hits trucking industry - Phoenix Business Journal:

[Phantom433a]

the final question during them was, "are you fluent in spanish?" it's obvious that i do not.

Considering they (the state) spent our taxes on a law making english the "official" language of Arizona....I think you couldd have fought that Sync. Lord knows I'm about ready to start contacting those companies advertising on the billboards around Van Buren and raise 7 kinds of hell about the spanish . Oh well.....just another way for them to blow our money eh man?

[Syncrosonix]

Considering they (the state) spent our taxes on a law making english the "official" language of Arizona....I think you couldd have fought that Sync. Lord knows I'm about ready to start contacting those companies advertising on the billboards around Van Buren and raise 7 kinds of hell about the spanish . Oh well.....just another way for them to blow our money eh man?

yeah man, and i think sheriff joe should send his posse into those warehouses.

at any rate, since i've been driving for knight, i haven't sat for longer than 11hrs in-between loads. doesn't change the fact that i am freaking broke as a joke. as of right now, i don't have enough money to cover my car payment and its monthly insurance.

[ronjon619]

[ i don't have enough money to cover my car payment and its monthly insurance.[/COLOR]

Get rid of it and get a cheaper car.......you drive it maybe once every 2-3 weeks?

[Syncrosonix]

$181 monthly payment and $190 monthly insurance. i got the car refinanced down to 6.5%. i have until the end of the month to have made the money. hopefully it works out.

[Jay B]

$181 monthly payment and $190 monthly insurance. i got the car refinanced down to 6.5%. i have until the end of the month to have made the money. hopefully it works out.

What kind of car do you have and who is it insured through? $190/month sounds crazy. I pay less than $140 per month for a pick up, SUV, class A motorhome and two Harleys. Full coverage on all of them including towing and roadside assistance on the 4 and 8 wheelers, $500 deductibles all around. No kidding man, shop around. Call the lizard or something.

[Syncrosonix]

What kind of car do you have and who is it insured through? $190/month sounds crazy. I pay less than $140 per month for a pick up, SUV, class A motorhome and two Harleys. Full coverage on all of them including towing and roadside assistance on the 4 and 8 wheelers, $500 deductibles all around. No kidding man, shop around. Call the lizard or something.

i'm insured through progressive. they were the cheapest i could find for full coverage on my 4 door 2007 chevy cobalt. i know, it's unbelievable. if/when i get the car paid off, i'm dropping down to liability.

[Flydragon]

Hey Syncro,

Now that you're driving for Knight, what would you say are the differences between the two? How hard is it to get home with Knight? Miles? Is dispatching different? Curious to know if it would be worth switching over.