Have Decided To Become A Trucker - A Few ?s

Hello to all. Well my subject kind of says it all! I am a military vet (got out in 2011). I have not had the easiest time since I got out, mainly have had a hard time getting my educational benefits consistently, and as a result have had to start and stop school numerous times. I am finally tired of the stress of financial instability and decided it was time to make a change. I still live where I went to high school, so many of my old friends are around...not the best people to surround myself with anymore and I am going to make a fresh start.

I have always been fascinated with trucking; the open road, the seclusion, the monstrous rigs :), and have decided that I want to make a career of it. I am no stranger to long/hard hours of work, isolation, stress (and managing that stress as a result lol), and think I have the ability to be pretty good at this.

I have been on here for the past couple weeks doing research and looking into all the information on the industry that is on here (it is a lot!), and decide that it was time to now join the community and say hello. I think it is only fair seeing as I have been using your resources. I just decided yesterday to go ahead and pull the trigger if you will on this new career and was hoping to get some questions answered, and maybe some I didn't even know I had!

I have been researching several companies, and gotten in touch with some recruiters, but I believe I have settled on Swift as the company I am going to start with. Now before someone jumps in to tell me that may be a mistake or how much, trouble (for lack of a better word) the company is, let me say this. . . I understand. For me it seems like the right option. First off, you are going to see far more negative reviews on any product or company than positive ones. People just are more apt to complain about something than they are to praise it. I have heard good things and bad. What it seems to me is that you get out what you put into Swift (as with most things) for the most part. Also as a veteran their CDL course will be completely free up front (with a 12 month driving contract) without any loan, financing, or paycheck deductions (I am getting it in writing). The course is in Phoenix, AZ. . . which is where I am, and most importantly, it looks like they'll have me :).

So yeah, it looks like that is the company I am going to start with. I would like to get in touch with a few Swift drivers to pick their brains and get some more info. As I have said I have done an extensive amount of research already (most on here and a few other sources), I believe I have read almost every article on the site believe it or not. Well lets say a majority. One thing I wasn't completely clear on is home time. My question is more about the use rather than how it is accrued. Since my whole goal is to get away I am getting rid of my place and putting my car in storage. When I have time off I will stay with family, friends, or a hotel for a night or two if it comes to it. What I am interested in though is if home time can be taken anywhere. Must it be in AZ to count? Or, say for instance, could I go to Boston to visit my brother and stay with him, then pick back up from there? Or LA? Or anywhere? You get the idea lol. Also how big of a deal, or how intrusive, are these cameras I have heard about that watch the driver? Not thinking I will or would be doing anything that would be a problem, more just the idea of it is something that leads me to inquire about the policy and gain a little more information.

Now after writing all this, sorry a lot of unneeded info, I am forgetting some questions. I'll leave it at that for now. I appreciate any help and information anyone might be able to send my way. And lastly thank you to all community members who contribute to this site, it really is a wonderful resource.

Welcome to our family. TT and Swift. Home time can be taken anywhere. Using the Qualcomm on the truck you will request a start date and a zip code. No one cares where you take your time. The cameras look out and in. They also record audio. I don't have one in my current truck. Their purpose is essentially to make certain the driver is doing his or her job correctly when something goes awry. I never studied the policy much because I don't care about the cameras. When I would switch to off duty it became a hat rack. Keep the questions coming, it's what we do here.

This site doesn't bash swift. Actually alot of us on here are with them too haha. What state are you in if I may ask? Also you can basically take hometime anywhere, but it can be difficult in some areas because of freight.

Also I have a diary for the Swift academy if you want to read it, sorry I can't link it, I am on mobile. Being that you are a vet all you have to do is 1e months with Swift and the training you get is free.

Also as a side thing, I don't really have a home either and am planning to do home times in different areas. Right now I plan to go to San Diego so I am working a few more extra weeks. Checkout air bnb it is cheaper than hotels if you go that route of staying in random places. Anyways don't be scared to ask anything. This is a very helpful forum as you already know!

P.S. we have a terminal near LA so you could definitely do that haha!

Woops you did say where you were haha. I went to the Phoenix academy and it was awesome!

Hi, KD-Cue, wooziness to TT.

You started out with "I don't want to hear nothing about no mistake". Well, we don't play that. A genuine mistake, yes, but there's no mistake in choosing your company.

I also took Swift up on their veteran scholarship. Just bring a copy of your DD-214.

I believe veterans have a better point of view about work. Vets know how an organization works, and how to get things done in their job. I think you'll enjoy the OTR lifestyle.

BTW, have you read these:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The High Road Program will get you so prepared that, after you take your written test you'll say "Is that all??"

Welcome. Swift is a good company, trained with them, stayed with them, no regrets. Happy to answer any questions or offer advice.

Good luck on your journey.

I ditto Devans comment. Graduated from Phoenix Academy on May 13th, a Friday by the way! I had a great experience. Great consistent instruction. I have nothing negative to say about the last 10 weeks with them.

Study the High Road Training Program like your life depends on it. Also the CDL practice questions on this site. You will need your permit before you arrive. You will need your DOT Physical before you go to the MVD. Make sure you have it done at a Swift approved facility. I used an Urgent Care Center in Tucson. I think it was $85.00. Check with your recruiter for one near you.

There are bound to be grown men that act like childish D Bags in your class. Ignore them!!!! Mind your own business and concentrate on the task at hand. It is VERY FAST PACED!!! Get lots of sleep, you will need it. Joe Tapia is one of the range instructors. Pay attention to him. He WILL HELP YOU. He was by far my favorite range instructors. You are in for the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! And that is before you even get in a truck. FOCUS...FOCUS...FOCUS is my best advice to you. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

Welcome and I can tell you that although I don't work for Swift they have a ton of opportunity! I have a friend that works for Swift and he decided to go local and did it with no problem with Swift. Now as far as what you hear about these companies it's complainers swarming the industry in general. Patience is important and many expect everything to go their way creating the whiners all over. You will find them at the terminal , truck stops, shippers and receivers on the CB etc... They complain about where a load is going, the miles with the load, and the load having to be done at night or early morning whatever the case may be. You name it and they will complain. You will learn that you decide how productive you can be by taking all loads and simply being on time. Earlier today I heard a guy tell our dm to f*** off with a load that picks up tonight bc he doesn't drive at night. Guess who is at the shipper ready for that load? Yep me. You are able to take home time anywhere like the others have said. I aim for a major city to make it easier for my DM to plan accordingly. Like you said you get out what you put in. Prove you are reliable enough to run the loads given and be on time don't limit yourself to certain states certain amount of miles the load offers etc. Sometimes the 300 mile load is setting you up for a 2100 mile load. Don't ask me how I know.

Thank you all for your replies! I really appreciate it. I do have questions, and I also would like to respond to you each of you that gave me advice and information. But right now I have to eat first and finish reading, Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking. As soon as that happens I will definitely get back to each of you, even if it ends up being tomorrow am. I do really appreciate all of your comments, it is nice knowing there is a community of support to fall back on if need be. Thank you again!