Swift Recruiter

Hi, I am having some issues with the recruiter I was assigned after filling out app. She is not consistent with her answers about any questions I have. Is it ok to get another recruiter. Have not had any issues with other companies I have applied. Any input. Thanks

I honestly don't know what it would take to get a different recruiter. Have you asked for any of this in writing? Normally if they'll put it in writing you can count on it. If they won't then you probably can't.

What kind of information are you trying to get and what are they telling you?

This is Trucking Truth's listing for Swift information:

Swift Transportation Co., Inc. Company Review

The recruiter's answers should be more or less similar. As Brett asks, list some of the things you're not sure about, we'll get you some straight answers.

I am a valid Class A holder. But, ZERO experience and not a recent graduate. It's been 8 years since truck driving school. What she has been inconsistent in is first she sent me orientation packet. No mention of CDL school. She knew my situation and I asked her about this. ALL companies I have applied said at least refresher course, most full CDL training. Then she said full CDL training ok fine with me. Then the latest, since I have CDL straight to OTR training. $9.50 per hour and 200 hours with trainer. No contract. I know enough to realize this can't be right. She also sent the orientation packet with a date to start before I even spoke to her. And Brett nothing in writing. Maybe it's me but, something is not kosher. Thanks

I am a valid Class A holder. But, ZERO experience and not a recent graduate. It's been 8 years since truck driving school. What she has been inconsistent in is first she sent me orientation packet. No mention of CDL school. She knew my situation and I asked her about this. ALL companies I have applied said at least refresher course, most full CDL training. Then she said full CDL training ok fine with me. Then the latest, since I have CDL straight to OTR training. $9.50 per hour and 200 hours with trainer. No contract. I know enough to realize this can't be right. She also sent the orientation packet with a date to start before I even spoke to her. And Brett nothing in writing. Maybe it's me but, something is not kosher. Thanks

What she told you about a road training only scenario is true, no contract. If however you went through Swift's CDL school, then there would be a contract.

Here is what I believe will happen; during orientation you will be tested to evaluate your skills handling the truck in both road and yard scenarios. At that point the safety department will decide the best path for you to take.

Regardless of the company, no recruiter is in a position to guarantee the proper path for you without evaluating your skills. This can't be done during a phone call. Your Swift recruiter, might be inexperienced. I wouldn't read into it.

Regardless of the company, no recruiter is in a position to guarantee the proper path for you without evaluating your skills. This can't be done during a phone call. Your Swift recruiter, might be inexperienced. I wouldn't read into it.

Dead on the money here.

I'm in pretty much the exact same situation - 8 years licensed, no full time OTR experience.

I've gotten various answers from different companies - all were similar.

For example - initially, Jim Palmer told me I would have to turn in my CDL , and get a Montana Permit. Then a few months later, told me they would road test me, and if I passed, would put "onboard me" (TNT Phase) for 30K miles. They didn't say what would happen if I didn't pass the road test.

I have driven occasionally (O/O friends truck, short runs for a buddy's company, and I've rented a truck for a couple of days) - but personally, I would opt for keeping my license (mainly, so I don't lose my passenger endorsement, and have to retest in a bus).

Yet, I still wouldn't mind doing the "full course" (keeping my current CDL), even if it meant a contractual obligation. It will make me a safer and more effective driver - despite having a license for so long, I'm still a rookie when it comes to actual wheel-time. Since we advise new drivers to stick with their first company for at least a year - this shouldn't really present an issue anyway.

As G-Town mentioned, your perceived confusion on the recruiters part, likely comes from the fact that they cannot really predict which training path you'll end up on. Your (and my) situation of having a CDL long-term with no experience, presents an unusual challenge - as most folks go right from school, to full time driving.

Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress.

Rick

Tarheel says

Then she said full CDL training ok fine with me. Then the latest, since I have CDL straight to OTR training. $9.50 per hour and 200 hours with trainer. No contract. I know enough to realize this can't be right.

Keep in mind CDL school is before orientation. CDL school has a tuition, and the contract is your arrangement to pay that off. You're not an employee yet.

Orientation is your first step of employment. During your orientation, Swift may want to know if you can basically drive a truck. Even people with miles of driving experience will get that test.

Should you get through orientation (most people do), as G-Town describes, they will decide if you need road training. The experienced drivers will get a truck, you'll get a Mentor and 200 hours of (paid) road training.

Once you get rolling with your mentor, you have a job. Your mentor needs to decide if you can become a solo/ professional driver, and then you can get your own truck and start burning them miles.

tarheel, you heard correctly, through being new and confusing stuff, you had doubts. I hope this thread has held you understanding.

I too retired in 2009 and have not worked since. I foolishly let my CDL go and then last year managed to get it back and my problem now is the bulls**t that I get from ALL the companies. I could go OTR but at 67 1/2 I really don't want to do that especially with a trainer that I know nothing about. I remember trainers back when I started driving back in 1979 and I cringe at the thought of enduring that again especially at my age. No one wants to hire me other than long haul OTR because I don't have any recent experience. I assume that's an insurance issue but no one has been willing to say. I went to Wild West Express in New Mexico and did orientation and then because I felt better going with a trainer to start which is what they had originally said they suddenly didn't have a trainer and so no job for me. They now advertise training but haven't seen fit to call me. That's just one example of the BS that I get. Schnieder is the only company so far that stays true to what they tell me but again I don't really want to go OTR. I'm open for suggestions on ways to combat my problem and not be gone for more than a few days at a time instead of weeks. Thanks in advance

Errol J wrote:

I too retired in 2009 and have not worked since. I foolishly let my CDL go and then last year managed to get it back and my problem now is the bulls**t that I get from ALL the companies. I could go OTR but at 67 1/2 I really don't want to do that especially with a trainer that I know nothing about. I remember trainers back when I started driving back in 1979 and I cringe at the thought of enduring that again especially at my age. No one wants to hire me other than long haul OTR because I don't have any recent experience. I assume that's an insurance issue but no one has been willing to say. I went to Wild West Express in New Mexico and did orientation and then because I felt better going with a trainer to start which is what they had originally said they suddenly didn't have a trainer and so no job for me. They now advertise training but haven't seen fit to call me. That's just one example of the BS that I get. Schnieder is the only company so far that stays true to what they tell me but again I don't really want to go OTR. I'm open for suggestions on ways to combat my problem and not be gone for more than a few days at a time instead of weeks. Thanks in advance

Errol J, first of all congratulations on driving for 30 years, quite an accomplishment. Unfortunately, and all the trucking companies currently care about; you haven't driven in 8 years (you retired) and for whatever reason, let your CDL lapse/expire. I think you are receiving nothing more than caution from the carriers and possibly a negative response to your approach (you seem a bit entitled, perhaps due to your previous experience). BS though? I don't really think so.

As an example: WW Express now advertises training; yet you can't understand why they haven't called you back? You should be calling them back, show them you want the job. Additionally, in your second sentence you express a reluctance to train with a stranger, yet you requested exactly that from WW Express when (my assumption) you probably did not express that up-front. If your approach to the trucking companies is similar to this confusing post, I can understand why you are getting pushback. Their perceived BS is possibly a response to what you are feeding them.

In light of all that, I think your expectations are a bit unrealistic. With all due respect, I suggest an adjustment to your approach/expectations, "humble-up" a bit and maybe you'll get better results.

Good luck, hope it works out.

Errol, the owner of the company I work for always says this when I tell him someone is looking for a job: "give them my number and we will see how hungry they are" so for you to say they haven't called you ? = How dare they not call me and I will back G-town on his post. SHOW THEM YOU WANT THE JOB

I too retired in 2009 and have not worked since. I foolishly let my CDL go and then last year managed to get it back and my problem now is the bulls**t that I get from ALL the companies. I could go OTR but at 67 1/2 I really don't want to do that especially with a trainer that I know nothing about. I remember trainers back when I started driving back in 1979 and I cringe at the thought of enduring that again especially at my age. No one wants to hire me other than long haul OTR because I don't have any recent experience. I assume that's an insurance issue but no one has been willing to say. I went to Wild West Express in New Mexico and did orientation and then because I felt better going with a trainer to start which is what they had originally said they suddenly didn't have a trainer and so no job for me. They now advertise training but haven't seen fit to call me. That's just one example of the BS that I get. Schnieder is the only company so far that stays true to what they tell me but again I don't really want to go OTR. I'm open for suggestions on ways to combat my problem and not be gone for more than a few days at a time instead of weeks. Thanks in advance