Well Got Accepted To 2 Schools
Topic 10468 | Page 1
Congratulations, Shaun.
I too am just beginning this process. I also spoke to Swift today and I think their ratio for days on the road and home would be 14/2, not 14/3. As others on this forum have pointed out to me, the industry standard, regardless of company seems to be about one day home for every week on the road. The difference seems to be how may weeks they make you stay out. Some make you stay two weeks and be home for two and others out for three weeks and home for 3 days. But regardless, the ratio seems to stay the same. I think with most companies you can also stay out four weeks and get 4 days home too.
It's a lot to think about!!
Shaun is wondering:
She says I would be 14 days out 3 days home for OTR I was wondering how close to true this is. And also how is your pay once you move into OTR. Oh and one more thing What is the online test?
Welcome to Swift, Shaun. I did this stuff for Swift at the beginning of the year.
OTR time: Two weeks out gets you 2 days at home. That's the minimum and I started out doing the two week thing. My DM had no problem with that, though I heard that shorter road time means shorter runs.
I don't know off hand what your starting pay is. I just got off the truck so I can't help you there. But your raises come on schedule. The only way you'd know is by looking on your paycheck stub.
One last thing: as I recall, Swift's online stuff is just some things to read and some forms to fill out electronically. I could be wrong.
I'm at the Swift Memphis terminal nearly every day. Let me know if you're heading out here.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Shaun...I would try some other schools. I went to Roehl Transport. They run their CDL school both in Marshfield and Appleton WI. The school in Appleton is Fox Valley. When I was in school it was 2-1/2 weeks to test....3 weeks total. Then they ask you to train for 2 weeks with a trainer. I was put on a regional mostly drop/hook dedicated account right out of school. Been driving in the account since. Pay is decent. I won't quote Cpm...but I will tell you That I've been treated well in the 10 months since. They get me home once a week for my reset. Not sure if the same accounts would be available to you. If interested call Kim at Roehl. Hope additional info helps!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Shaun, Swift has a regular schedule for pay increases. Now that I'm home I can look it up. I started at $0.33 in February, and went to $0.36 in May. When I was OTR , some mileage rates were higher, but I don't know why.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Tim F- I have sent you a personal message.
Shaun...I would try some other schools. I went to Roehl Transport. They run their CDL school both in Marshfield and Appleton WI. The school in Appleton is Fox Valley. When I was in school it was 2-1/2 weeks to test....3 weeks total. Then they ask you to train for 2 weeks with a trainer. I was put on a regional mostly drop/hook dedicated account right out of school. Been driving in the account since. Pay is decent. I won't quote Cpm...but I will tell you That I've been treated well in the 10 months since. They get me home once a week for my reset. Not sure if the same accounts would be available to you. If interested call Kim at Roehl. Hope additional info helps!!
Unfortunately Roehl Schools does not accept anyone from my area but will hire once I have completed a school so that is not an option at this point. The reason I was thinking swift is because its paid my 26000 a year I make unfortunately does not give me much room to play with as far as paying out of pocket.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
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I applied so far to CR England and Swift. So far Swift seems more fitting for me and my Family according to my recruiter after 6 months OTR there are quite a few dedicated routes in my Area which would give me more home time, and the Pay for CR England just does not seem like it will cut it (i know that the first year you do not make much but seems like they are the low end of the pay scale). I would be attending school in Tennessee for 3 weeks then she said the training period would be 5 weeks.
Saying all that I do have a couple questions as far as time out, pay and what not. She says I would be 14 days out 3 days home for OTR I was wondering how close to true this is. And also how is your pay once you move into OTR. Oh and one more thing What is the online test?
Thanks All
Shaun S
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.