Finding a "niche" within the Mega and Large carriers is the key to be successful with them. Like Big Jeep said...ask about the dedicated account. Dont ask what is available in dedicated as they will generally not volunteer a dedicated account if the account has its quota of drivers. Even in the dedicated account there is a turn over rate. It generally is lower than the industry standard. When you find out about the dedicated accounts, if possible find out the phone number of the Fleet Manager or Account Manager for that account. Contact them directly to put your "request" to drive for that account.

Generally 48 state OTR is not a niche, some enjoy it others dont. If you desire a dedicated account...you may have to run 48 state OTR for a period of time waiting for a position to open on a particular account.

Dedicated accounts will keep you moving, generally always under load and preassign for you next load, well in advance.

 

Did you go to a reputable and certified CDL school?

If so, they should give you a refresher course for free.

If not, ooops.

Dan

 

.26 a mile for 90 days. It climbs early and often from there.

With all due respect; at 90 days, you'll still be at a very low point in the learning curve and it wouldn't be fair to complain too much even though, by now, you've convinced yourself you're a BBR and bought the wallet to prove it.

Now, type "turnover" in the search and read that thread. It will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect with pay per mile.

Beyond that, my only real gripe is the treatment I get from the support staff. SWIFT is a huge training company and a lot of the "managers" (also in training) get a little bit jaded by the constant and recurring, moronic questions they get from the students. SWIFT is a huge training company and a lot of the "Drivers" (also in training) get a little bit jaded by the constant and recurring, moronic answers they get from the managers. There is a two way tendancy to be treated like shit from a bunch of people that don't know the first thing about shit.

Beyond that, SWIFT is a good choice. Very current equipment, very strong customer base, excellent support until you need it or learn how to run without it and all the miles you can run if you don't get caught until you figure out how to do it legally.

 

truckermandude, this seems like solid advice from Uturn. Have you posted your resume on CAD and had it sent out yet to multiple companies? If not, I suggest you give it a whirl. Can't hurt. BOL

 

Try Baylor Trucking out of Milan, IN. They have a lot of freight that goes to Chicago. You'll be trained for a measly wage for up to 8 weeks (tops out at $400 per week).

They start you off at $.34/mi. practical miles after training. You will get a lot of experience driving NE, NYC.

I'll PM you with some more info.

 

I started with Schneider at like 26 cpm.
it's more than I earned anywhere else.
at 120000 miles/year that's over $30000 starting.
Ya gotta start somewhere.
Everyone says you need more experience, that should be the priority. Many people do a lot of gratis work to break into their desired fields.
You want to earn the money, you gotta pay your dues and make yourself worth their money.

 

$500 a week for how many hours?

My advice is if the pay is too low then don't take the job AND tell the recruiter the pay is too low. Let the company know why you rejected their offer. Maybe they will increase future offers.

The whole "paying dues" thing sounds like a BS way for a company to get cheap labor. Either you can drive or you can't. If you can get the job done then you should be paid.

.26 cpm multiplied by 60 mph comes to $15.60 an hour. But what happens when you're stuck in traffic and only move 10 miles in an hour. You would get paid less than minimum wage. I was on the highway yesterday where there was construction work and the highway was more like a parking lot. Move a foot and stop. Move another 5 feet and stop.

 

[quote="classB"]The company has to find out for itself if you (the collective 'you') can do it or not. Or maybe more specifically the company's insurance carrier. Until you prove yourself the company will see you as much as a liability as an asset.

From that perspective it is not BS, it is a fact of doing business. For the driver it is 'paying dues.' The way the industry is going now, Swift is a good choice - a large fleet with modern equipment and lots of contracts.

I do find myself curious as to why the OP went to school with no plan, though. Many coolie carriers will co-pay school if you apply with them first.

 

13 years ago i really needed a job. no computer. never heard of swift but i signed on and run my tail off in 45 states and 3 provinces. spent the first two months team driving with a creep who showed me the ropes.i stayed 2.5 years. when i quit the wrong way i was at .26 cpm and stepped into my current job before swift could black ball me.
if you need a job go. good oppurtunity for an inexperienced driver. if you are single it could be a great adventure or you could wait for that great paying job in a worsening economy

 

Heres my 2 cents. When you start a new job, we ALL had to start somewhere. If you think working for .26 cents a mile sucks, then guess what. You are correct! Its crap money without a doubt. However, with that being said.

Something for you to think about. Do you think that someone with no experience, just getting their license and absolutely no experience is going to come on board making .40 cents a mile. Well maybe. But, ask yourself this. If you were a boss or owner. Would you hire someone with no experience and offer them top pay? No, you would not. Now I know you are not looking for top pay. you just want an honest days pay for an honest days work. Which I think is all that anyone wants. But, unfortunately in the beginnings of this industry it sucks. Numerous drivers here I am sure will confirm that.

We all got to start somewhere. If Swift is what you got. Then you go with what you got. If this is something you want to pursue.

I started at .30 cents a mile with Roehl back in 2005. Money sucked. However I had a plan to go local after 1 year OTR. After 14 months I found what I thought I wanted. Is it my dream job? Hahahaha, NO WAY. But am I where I thought I would be and where I thought I should be. YES.

Heres my thoughts and outlook on jobs.

Every job has BS. Whether or not YOU stay depends on what BS you are willing to put up with.

I hope that makes sense. The money and opportunities you have in the beginning suck. But if you stick it out with a plan. Your goals financial and MENTAL!!! Will be met.

Good luck and plan it out. Dont just be a fish out of water. I knew I wanted to do LTL when I came into this industry. Thats where I am at now. YOU have to know what YOU want!!!! It all stars from crap beginnings but if you make a plan and lay it out, you will be where you want to be. Just remember, its not gonna happen overnight.

Good luck on whatever your decision is going to be!!!!!!!!!