Swift calling
 

I'm looking for an otr job and have a lot of applications filed. I don't have a lot of otr experience. Right now it looks like it's going to be Swift or Roehl. From what I've read here about Swift I think I should walk away as fast as I can. What do you people think?

Roehl

Friends dont let friends drive fro Swift

go to www.ripoffreport.com and look up swift you will not be happy with them i would go with roehl.

bigmike

As distasteful as Swift may be... if it's your only chance to get your foot in the door in this industry, then you do what you need to do. Beggars can't be choosy.

If Roehl is willing, go with them. :)

From what I have heard about Swift, I would only go with them as a last resort.

Exactly what bad things have you heard from Swift? Stuff from drivers that whine because they don't show up on time or have low performance so they're sittin at the terminals griping instead of running like drivers that run loads and are still running. The reason I haven't posted in a while is because I've been busy movin loads around and I'm not complaining... neither is my pocket.

Swift is a good company. Granted I'm still new to the industry and to Swift but I've gotten nothin but good stuff from them. A local run here and there but they give me long runs after that so I don't mind at all.

Swift is a good company, don't let others that either haven't ever worked for Swift and only "heard" bad things about them, or the drivers that don't want to work.

I've heard the same thing from numerous Swift drivers. It seems the lazy ones are the ones with problems and do the complaining. I also heard if you want to work they will keep you moving. I'm hoping this holds true when I start with them.

Yes, it's quite humorous to hear people on this board bash companies, especially when they haven't ever worked for them. If I had a nickel for every time someone bashed a company on "hearsay" I wouldn't have to work.

newolddrv: I'm not trying to stick up for a company, but I wouldn't make a decision based on someone here saying "from what I heard". If you're going to get into this industry you need a plan. 1st year: Get trained, get CDL, get some time under your belt. Don't expect to make a ton of money. 2nd year: Evaluate where you are. Do you like the company? Is the pay ok? Benefits? Stay where you are or start looking for another company? Bottom line is all of us rookies need to find a suitable way to break into the business. But, a smart driver will also go into this knowing that he/she will need to evaluate where they are headed to make it a successful career. I think too many go into this never thinking about the future. If you get into Swift and make it through the first year then you have paid your dues, and should then decide where you want to go next with the job. Yes, Swift has its issues. But, it's also a huge company, and just on numbers alone, will have more problems. Company A has 1000 drivers, you don't hear much about them. Company B has 20,000 drivers, of course, you will hear more horror stories. As someone stated, go look at the ripoff report. I started reading some of the complaints and most seem to be whining about one thing or another. Unfortunately, ripoffreport only tells one side of the story, which doesn't hold much water. What most of these complainers fail to tell is what they did or didn't do. There's always more to the story that complainers never seem to tell. The best advise I can give is to surround yourself with the folks that doing well at Swift or any other company, and do what they're doing. Stay far away from complainers...misery loves company.

And you have what to compare it with? They remind me of the Army. Pat you on the back on day, and they'll screw ya the next.

Rule of thumb, the bigger the company, the less important you become.

Have you worked for Swift? Having served in the military myself the same mentality exists... those who are work keep workin, and those that don't are whining.

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.

Swift
 

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.

Re: Swift
 

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

Re: Swift
 

There's nothing wrong with Swift to start out. Many have had good experiences with them. It's tough for a rookie to break into this industry sometimes. Based on my location I had only 3 options. Make the best of it and create your own destiny. Don't listen to all the negative crap and you'll be fine.

I ran into three friends of mine this morning at the terminal. 2 of them are with the same mentor they started with and doing great like I am. The third has changed mentors twice. Does that mean Swift is a bad company just because my one friend had two bad mentors? No. Just that my one friend happened to get two bad mentors. BTW>.. not sure how it was 10 years ago but now whenever one student complains about a mentor a little check is made by their name on the mentor list, get three checks and you're no longer a mentor (and thats been told to me by 5 different mentors and driver services so its not just my idea or opinion). They are weeding out the bad ones and praising the good ones.

I've heard stories around the terminals about the horrible mentors of before and believe me they are changing that because it's just a bad enviroment for everyone (company, student, other drivers on the road).

If you decide to go to Swift and you don't get along with your mentor for whatever reason you can ALWAYS call driver services and they will get you a new mentor. If you don't like that one for some reason (and you can't sweat the small stuff like he/she has brown hair... its gotta be legit reasons like you argue, he/she stinks like a pig, he/she doesn't teach you or instruct you just sleeps while you drive) you can ask for another one. Remember its your money (if you go thru their driving school) and its not only your life but its the life of everyone in any kinda vehicle on the roads you'll be on lifes at stake... so make sure you get what you paid for and deserve.

Please keep the info coming. It's nice to hear from someone that is actually running for Swift, instead of from the "I know everything about every company" types.

If you can get on with a good flatbed or LTL company that hires rookies you can earn in excess of $1000 week.

The 1st time I drove solo for Con-Way I was earning 41.5cpm. My best weekly paycheck I grossed $1140 for 68.5 hrs in 5 days.

IIRC Flatbed Fred made more than $50k his first year with TMC.

Exactly. I don't know jack about Swift, so I don't say anything about them. What you said is true, though. Most of the whiners are the ones who don't want to work or don't know how to work and manage their time. They're the ones that don't belong in this industry to begin with. As far as others on this board bad-mouthing Swift, I'd reckon many of them are just spreading the same tales they've heard from others without any actual first-hand experience. As for myself, I hate huge companies and would never consider driving for Swift. But only because they're so enormous. If the benefits were too damned good to pass up, maybe, but I'd have a hard time coming to grips with being a number instead of a person.

Ok for 1 thing, I work for Swift. And I have been here for 10 months, so I beat your saying of the opinion after 6 months. Swift is not a bad company. They are what you make of it, I get plenty of miles and im making .34 a mile which isn't great but, it isn't horrible either.

Also you really can't compare Crete to Swift. Yeah Crete is a good company but as far as I know they don't take anyone without a CDL to train them and to get them started. And you said before you can only work for crete with a PDTI school. Well alot of schools are not, the one I attended at swift however was. So my options are open, But I have never had a problem with my DM out of columbus and I love my terminal. I want to go home im there and whatever.

Also I ran for swift 48 states for about 9 months, I just switched to a regional run that covers most of the states but does not run the upper NE which I hate to run. And I don't see alot of these other companies that offer that. Because like just about every company out here. They see you run the upper NE without complaining. Guess what you are gonna run the heck out of the upper NE. And the 100 congestion fee does not pay me enough to put up with no where to park and stuff.

I don't get alot of the people saying to stay away. Have many years exp and can go wherever you want to work.. I could not get financed to pay for schooling because of my ex. So I decided to go with swift. And I am not unhappy in doing so. I get home and I make money. Just my .02

And there's no problem with wanting to work for a smaller company or go independent.. I'm NOT tryin to say "everyone come to swift they're the best company in the world". I'm just saying that they're a good company, and they'll hire and train almost anyone so its a good place to start. Will I stay with swift for 5-10-20 years? I don't know depends on where I am in my life at that point.


I'm glad there's another Swifty on here that can vouch for what I'm saying.

BigBird01 wrote:

Congrats on lasting 10 months, I lasted for 13 months before moving on. So I am not someone who professes to everything about every company, but I do know everything about Swift from a drivers point of view. As soon as you finish with your 12th month, let me know and I will show you how to get a $10,000+ pay raise for doing exactly what you are doing now.

I don't recall who said it, but I believe they accused me of piling on the poor swift driver. That's not the intention, I am just trying to point out to him that Swift had serious pitfalls and is not a place to stay any longer than necessary.


That's for damn sure! That's like comparing a nice big RED juicy apple to a steaming pile of ? :o

Drive safe!

From personal Experience, I loved working for Swift as an OTR driver. I had an awsome DM, and they where good about getting my truck fixed. Now, when I went over to dedicated then it went the opposite direction.

I would go back to them if they would be able to put me back into a truck with an APU as it is for medical necessity. However, because of the conflicts that I had with a ignorant DM and problems getting my truck fixed I doubt I would go back and do dedicated.

Now that is not to say that all dedicated is bad, it depends on the terminal and who you have for a DM.

How long ago was your 13 months? I've been with them for almost 2 months and I've already seen things change since I started.

I took no offense to the comment earlier so don't sweat it. Just sayin there are alotta drivers with Swift that I've met that were company for years then went o/o with Swift. Just because you and alot of others chose to leave for whatever the reason doesn't mean Swift's a bad company.. otherwise they wouldn't have drivers that've been with them for years.

Troutdale sucks..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I must have lost track of the thread. What exactly is a "Troutdale sucks"?

I don't know much about the trucking industry myself, but I have been on this site for a little while. And while this website has a lot of experienced drivers that give good advice and information, I've learned one thing. No matter what trucking company you ask about, you're going to hear some good things AND some bad things about that company. So really, you just have to give it a go, and see what's right for you, and if you don't like it, you'll know from personel experience. ;)

Yeah- so there- what he said! :lol: :P

SWIFTS CALLING ? Thank god for caller id !! :lol: :lol:

Hah! Troutdale, that is a horrible terminal to maneuver at times! I would rather flip my truck on it's lid than go back there again :wink:

Unfortunately threads get hijacked some times.

Point that everyone is trying to make is this. No company is ever going to be perfect. I enjoyed my time with Swift, and they are not as bad of a company as people make them out to be.

All I can say is that you have to learn how to roll with the punches. If you decide to go with Swift, I suggest you go to Lewiston Idaho. They do a knock out job with training. Small Classes, Very good instructors, and a little bit of off-the-wall humor to add to it all.

If you want to talk to someone there, you can speak with Dave in Driver training. Let him know that Shrek from August 2005 sent ya. He's a good guy and he will get you pointed in the right direction.

Swift pays some of the lowest wages in trucking, I should know I drove for them. Its not too bad as a place to get some experience. But definetly move on after you get some time under your belt. Id say you can do much better. The company Im with starts people out at 35cpm.. rather than 26cpm at swift. Since Jerry Moyes bought swift back he's going to run it back into the ground.

Comments like this just boggle me, meaning.....
You state they START out people at 35 cpm but don't offer to tell who they are. I run into this type of posting a lot here. Would be nice if people would just give a little more information instead of being veg.

OMG , I use to slam swift alot, I live by swift terminal and there little training academy and know alot of swift drivers from this area. All of these people are happy as clams and love their job at swift. I don't see anything wrong with being a swift driver, just be your best and it don't matter who you work for....that company in your mind is the best.... I noticed alot on here the people who slam swift alot have never been a swift driver and don't know any swift drivers. They just have to play monkey see monkey do because they want to look kewl, its okay to hate swift, nobody is gonna force you like a judge and demand you work for swift, as long and you are happy and do your best then swift will be alright to work for and you will get what you put in.. so swift calling can be a good thing, its your choice and nobody elses. Don't listen to monkeys if your human.