Knight, Swift, Watkins-Shepard -- Which One Best For A Noob Living Near Las Vegas?

[Retired in Nevada]

New thread by the same name because my original thread is closed. Huh?

Anyway, it looks like it's going to be Swift. I spoke with the recruiter there this morning. He looked over my application and said it's a go. My pre-hire letter from Swift to get into Southwest Truck Driving School in North Las Vegas is on its way.

All of the others I applied with so far -- Werner, Knight, Watkins & Shepard -- all turned me down.

I know there's a lot of stuff all over the truck driver boards about Swift, both good and bad. I've read most of it.

If any current Swift drivers would like to add their $0.02 about Swift here, I'll be happy to read it -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thanks.

[Syncrosonix]

New thread by the same name because my original thread is closed. Huh?

Anyway, it looks like it's going to be Swift. I spoke with the recruiter there this morning. He looked over my application and said it's a go. My pre-hire letter from Swift to get into Southwest Truck Driving School in North Las Vegas is on its way.

All of the others I applied with so far -- Werner, Knight, Watkins & Shepard -- all turned me down.

I know there's a lot of stuff all over the truck driver boards about Swift, both good and bad. I've read most of it.

If any current Swift drivers would like to add their $0.02 about Swift here, I'll be happy to read it -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thanks.

i drove for swift for several years before going to knight. if you wanna do well at swift, i highly suggest you go where they tell you, do your job and do it well without whining about where the load is taking you, and DO NOT EVER LEASE A TRUCK FROM THEM OR ANY COMPANY YOU DRIVE FOR! they're a forced dispatch company. the only ways you can get out of a load is due to hours of service or home time. if you want to make better money, i highly suggest you run the continental 48. regardless of what company you drive for, the southwest and west coast is swamped with drivers. there isn't enough freight to go around. even at knight, i was busy as hell whenever i hit the i-35 corridor and east of it.

[dieselgrl]

I started my carreer with Swift, and am actually going back to them here in about a week to see how they're running the flatbed division. I've worked for the biggest and some of the smallest, I've pulled flats, vans, and reefers. *shrugs* Really it's all about the same I've found. Keep your nose clean, take the loads you're given and get them there on time or earlier, don't try to buck the system too hard and you'll get along just fine. That's not the same as letting them take advantage of you - learn the system and you'll go far. I enjoyed working for Swift. When I wasn't feeling like much of a runner and wanted to be a "number" that blended into the system it was easy - I also had plenty of folks who knew me by name. The best dispatcher I ever had worked for Swift, and I would have quit any job at any company to get back on his board if he ever takes a fleet again. Like the above post, stay far away from lease programs for now. I ran a successful lease - but it was hard and it was a unique program. I would never attempt Swift's.

(I guess I should say, I ran a few different fleets at Swift - I've run Target dedicated as well as 48 states and in the "comfort zones" I'm not even sure if they offer anymore)

[Mikeflatbed]

All Good Advise Here.

I currently work for Swift Flatbed. Everything said here about Swift is true. There are no more comfort zones though. A Swift flatbed drivers will take priority over van drivers, so if you do that, you will keep running. I myself have only pulled a van when I wanted to get home time. There are still dedicated runs here which could be considered "comfort zones".

One thing I can add is that the recruiters have a different story than what is really going on. Get it in writing or it will never happen is my advise. I've seen 2 flatbed drivers come in with 5 years experience because of a dedicated run that the "recruiter" brought them in for. P.S. Swift said we don't know what your talking about you're running all 48. These guys quit their jobs to come here and they're stuck in all 48 or quit. One quit and the other stayed on until he can go somewhere else.
I've seen first hand 80 recruits come in and nothing they were told by recruiters was true including me.

100% true stories that I saw with my own eyes.

Me personally, I'm rolling with the punches and keeping my mouth shut and it's all good.

I've never leased and don't know what the difference between companies are however, the lease ops here say they will never lease from Swift again.

Oh and there is a shortage here on mentors. Everyone gets a Mentor no matter what your level of experience is. West coast, good luck getting one. East coast, it is pretty good getting one. Midwest I'm not sure but, my buddies there haven't complained to me about it.

That's all I have to add. Good Luck with your career. Feel free to email me with any questions.