I start SWIFT 'acadmey' on 9/12... TEAM?
#1
I start SWIFT 'acadmey' on 9/12... TEAM?
After reading all the WONDERFUL coments about swift and all other training companies, i've decided to go SWIFT. I am leaving a pretty highpaying job, (Insurance Agent) and have 8 minth old twins at home, so this is by no means an easy decision. Here's the kicker. My Brother in law wants to drive team. (He is brand spanking new too, cept he drove tankers in the army 10 years ago, but no CDL)I like the guy and all, and i do trust him, but we are 100% opposite. he like metal, i like country, he's a crude dude, i'm a southern gentleman. Is this gonna work out?
Also, what are CURRENT swift drivers getting a week millege wise? Last and most important part..... I know recruiters tell the truth as much as used car salesman, but what should i really expect here. I'm being told avg of 6-10 days out. and avg of 2800-3300 miles/week.
#3
Originally Posted by Kurbski
This outa be good. Im going to make some popcorn and get a captain and coke. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Dude, I hate to tell you this....but one of three things is going to happen. You are either doing to learn to love "metal", or he is going to learn to love "kawntry"... :shock: ....or you two are going to kill each other. Running "team" is not easy to begin with....and the one driving has to keep things at a sound level where the other can sleep....otherwise....when the accident happens....it will be a big debate as to who survives and who gets spooned out of the truck. Double sided earphone headsets are illegal, but really good ear plugs are not. I wish you the "Best of Luck" 8)
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Forrest Gump was right....and some people literally strive to prove it.....everyday. Strive not to be one of "them".... And "lemmings" are a dime a dozen! Remember: The "truth WILL set you free"! If it doesn't "set you free"....."it will trap you in the cesspool of your own design". They lost my original "avatar"....oh well.
#4
Board Regular
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: san antonio, TX
Posts: 347
Southernpride:
Let me know how the driving school is with Swift. I am also considering a huge job change. And due to money concerns I am also thinking of Swift. But I want to learn the right way and most importantly, the SAFE way to be a good professional driver. Keep us wannabes informed as to your experiences with Swift. Good luck!
#5
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 716
Why is it everyone who wants to leave a stable, good paying job wants to go OTR? Especially with kids?
Do they think things are going to be easy? Do they dont realize that as a newb they'll rarely be home? Do they expect some big fat pay raise? Do they expect to see the countryside and have time to look at the sights? It aint gonna happen, stick with selling insurance and stay home with your kids, they are more important than some trucking job. Its cheaper and easier just to cheat on your wife.
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Everything I need to know about driving a truck I learned from watching "DUEL"
#6
Originally Posted by inmate1577
Why is it everyone who wants to leave a stable, good paying job wants to go OTR? Especially with kids?
Do they think things are going to be easy? Do they dont realize that as a newb they'll rarely be home? Do they expect some big fat pay raise? Do they expect to see the countryside and have time to look at the sights? It aint gonna happen, stick with selling insurance and stay home with your kids, they are more important than some trucking job. Its cheaper and easier just to cheat on your wife.
#7
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NE Georgia
Posts: 29
Interesting, I am starting with Maverick on the 10th, will have to update big days on here, ie start CDL, End CDL, Start Trainer, End Trainer, Own truck, be a good comparison, didnt mean to jack your thread just saw you started within a couple days of myself, just a different company.
#8
Originally Posted by southernpride
Originally Posted by inmate1577
Why is it everyone who wants to leave a stable, good paying job wants to go OTR? Especially with kids?
Do they think things are going to be easy? Do they dont realize that as a newb they'll rarely be home? Do they expect some big fat pay raise? Do they expect to see the countryside and have time to look at the sights? It aint gonna happen, stick with selling insurance and stay home with your kids, they are more important than some trucking job. Its cheaper and easier just to cheat on your wife. Go over to the CTL terminal in Savannah....talk to the terminal manager about schooling at COMCAR, and driving a tanker for them. Its Chemical tankers....but since you live in Savannah you would be able to get home one heckuva lot more to see your kids and you would probably make more money. Work for them and get a years experience OTR/Tanker then if you want to move on....you would be able to move to a really "Superior" company like ours, and we have a terminal in Garden City. 8) Check out Cyanide's post on Tanker Info for Y'all.....he has the pay and benefits for all the tanker outfits in there...... BTW, both Cyanide and I drove for CTL at one time... I think you will find tanker work far more interesting and rewarding especially financially, we certainly do Oh, tell the "metal" dude to do it too.
__________________
Forrest Gump was right....and some people literally strive to prove it.....everyday. Strive not to be one of "them".... And "lemmings" are a dime a dozen! Remember: The "truth WILL set you free"! If it doesn't "set you free"....."it will trap you in the cesspool of your own design". They lost my original "avatar"....oh well.
#9
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: near fargo
Posts: 126
team at swift
one thing that has not been addressed is
who is driving night shift in winter on icy roads i actually will cost myself miles to stay on dayshift i drive solo and am a company driver that did 137k mi in my 1st year at crete i did team when i trained at werner, man it sucked on every level except that my trainer was easygoing and is still a great friend swift is as bad as werner thats it 1 week you may get 2k mi the next 1200 as a solo as a team you may stay at 3500-4500 at 28-32 a mile or 800-900 a week thats direct from swifties i have recruited to crete they were really pissed when they found out i made more then them and had less otr time then them do be sure to tell us about the first time you wait for 3 hours for swift road breakdown to even answer their phone when your brokedown on the weekend and you lose 7 hours of your 14 just to get a busted airline fixed on the side of the road be sure to have a good 4 pound hammer to beat on the pins so you can release them and slide your tandems good luck dude i understand why your leaving the insurance industry they are still screwing people in the post katrina damage areas with outlandish premiums i take my hat off to your integrity expect to earn 30-38k your first year 35-42k in year 2 and 50k in year 3 if you got smart and left swift for a real company
#10
Rookie
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Hey Southernpride - Welcome to the trucking world! Don't know if its a whole lot better than selling insurance, but the pay should be a little more predictable.
Your first year with Swift is going to be TOUGH! As a solo rookie, you're only going to get the left-over loads (after the Owner-Ops / Mentors / Teams are doled out the gravy runs). You would definitely get better runs if you were a team, but with both of you so new, they're not going to give you the best loads until they know they can trust you. That takes between 9 - 12 months to happen. Good Luck! |
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