Oh yeah, I worked there and their trainers don't even come close to being a "mentor". Without going into much detail, and I'll grant you, that was 10 yrs ago, I became ill had to go to the hospital in california. they came and got my truck, and had to find my own way home. I'll grant you, they are good until something happens they don't like.

Like I said, they're just a big company. I'm sure schneider can be just as bad.

 

Krzysvtof wrote:

It's obvious that you are new to the industry and I must say your optimism is admirable.

"What bad things?" Really? You are actually asking this as a serious question? Anyone who puts the slightest effort into researching swift would be able to come up with an extensive list. Anyone who has worked for them for any period of time will have an inexhaustible list for your perusal.

I would be very interested to know your opinion of Swift in about 6 months, if your still working there that is.

As far as your pocket being happy, how ecstatic would it be if you where making 41 cpm @ 3000 miles/wk. Contentment is nice, but not necessarily wise.

I realize you are just getting started and have limited options, just remember, if you have any respect for your abilities as a professional driver, your deserve better than Swift.

 

evertruckerr, very wise words, and well written. I've been driving for 4 years now, and i'm coming in to the realization of what i'm worth, and like you said, it'd be interesting for follow ups in six months time, maybe he'll still love it, but you and i both know there are better opportunities for advancements in the "pocket", and advancements in life compared to what swift can offer. I hate to come off like the "jaded" driver, and in no way do i intentionally complain about the life of a driver, but the new guys out there need to come in with a mindframe not that of a paid "tourist", but that of a responsible human being, and willing to make the sacrifices, sometimes harsh sacrifices of being a driver. I've made the decission to stay local, after my trials and tribulations of OTR, so maybe some of you might not take much stock in my posts, but i don't want to see anyone fail after putting in all the effort in to becoming a professional driver, but i just think there needs to be a more direct approach from companies when it comes to hiring drivers, stop sugar coating the facts, and giving false perceptions, and just be truthful, that way all the new drivers will know the whole of it, before they decide to jump on a new career. Sorry for the long winded post, BOL to the original poster, and the decission of who to work for.

 

Please tell which training companies are hiring rookies and paying them 41cpm @ 3000 miles. I haven't found one yet.

 

There are none. I found the best pay at .35cpm out of school (after 6 weeks training)

 

As someone else already said... exactly... find a training compant that will pay you 41 cpm. I KNOW there are ALOT higher paying companies out there... but a new person (or a person with little or old experience) won't ever get on with a high dollar paying company. That isn't the point I'm arguing.

And as far as doing an internet search, the same applies... the drivers that are usually whining and complaining are the ones that don't want to work and you may not hear from alot of drivers that like the company why? Because they're still driving and not sittin at a terminal with their thumb in their behind.

As far as them coming to get your truck.... I'm not sure the length of time you were ill and in the hospital... but if it was more then 4-5 days I don't blame the company for coming to get your truck. The truck IS theirs and if its not moving they're not making money, also perhaps it was parked in an area they deemed as dangerous (the city, not the parkinglot you had it parked in) so for security reasons they had someone recover it... did you ever think of that?

Also 10 years ago.... how much have you changed in the last 10 years? My point exactly... EVERYTHING CHANGES especially over the course of 10 years.

Basically people just need to give things a chance. As far as coming back in 6 months... I don't plan on leaving this website or Swift for a while so I'll be happy to come back and report again throughout the next 6 months (July 19th, 2007 will be 6 months from today).

 

Amen brother!

 

Maybe you can help by shining some light on your comment and give a few suggestions, and why the suggestions are so much better. Seems people like to bash this driver for his choice but never have any solid recommendations. Easy to throw out one liners, harder to back them up with facts. I'm just curious as to where all these great training companies are, if anyone knows. Also, if you can advise on which zip code areas they hire out of it would be great. I'm sure after the comment you made you can readily provide the factual details. Thanks.

 

Well, I talked to Roehl yesterday and they're out of the picture. I have to start somewhere and so it looks like it's going to be Swift.
Whether or not I get a good trainer depends on the luck of the draw. Winning in life doesn't mean being dealt a winning hand. It means doing the most with the hand your dealt.

 

Did you try schneider? I would take them over swift anyday.