Southern Dad Joins The Fray

Good for you SD.

Based on your home time desire, I’d let them know running Dedicated is of interest to you. I can vouch for the Walmart Accounts; they always need drivers.

To reiterate what Errol shared; Swift much maligned by people who never worked for them or couldn’t cut the industry in general. My Swiftie experience including school, mentoring, orientation, rookie year, up to the current; zero regrets. No plans to look elsewhere.

Things will move very fast now. Study the PTI I sent you..,it’s 1/3rd of school and the CDL A test.

Good luck!

I will investigate as much as possible when considering whether to take percent or mileage pay. I will also ask if I can change the selection at a late date, if I am not happy with the compensation. The bashing of Swift doesn’t weigh into my decision. Trust me, I was US Army surrounded by Marines. I took my share of bashing and gave quite a bit. But when things got real, we all had each other’s back.

I recommend staying with cents per mile pay because it stays constant.

Percentage pay is based on rates. currently on a downward trend, like 20% lower now than they were a year ago.

Everyone bashes Swift because they're the largest truckload carrier out here. More trucks equals more chances for bad things to happen.

I really like the honesty of the Swift recruiter. He has been clear that he can’t promise me designated, or even home more than two days every two weeks, or three days every three weeks. He isn’t pushy and he has given me a lot of candid advice.

Good for you SD.

Based on your home time desire, I’d let them know running Dedicated is of interest to you. I can vouch for the Walmart Accounts; they always need drivers.

To reiterate what Errol shared; Swift much maligned by people who never worked for them or couldn’t cut the industry in general. My Swiftie experience including school, mentoring, orientation, rookie year, up to the current; zero regrets. No plans to look elsewhere.

Things will move very fast now. Study the PTI I sent you..,it’s 1/3rd of school and the CDL A test.

Good luck!

A quick thank you to Brett for creating this forum and for all of you that have chimed in. I know there was at least one that doubted my purpose for being here. I took my DOT Physical on Thursday, and passed my CDL A Permit Exam today. Then I signed with Millis Transport this morning. I start training on 10/21. While I am sure that I have seen the trucks on the road, I was not familiar with the company. The CDL Training Center is just under a hundred miles from my home. The shotgun approach with one app going to many places that I completed using the link here, was really a great idea.

As I mentioned, home time ranked at the top of my list when it came to priorities. Because of where I live, a regional position is a real possibility, after training. The price for training is better than any that I found. It's only $1000 (military veteran). Which is phenomenal. I hope to have the time to get a blog thread going during my training.

This text, right here on TruckerTruth told me this was the right company for me. When the recruiter stated all the same things that I read here, some respect was added for the accuracy of the information found here.

How often can I expect to be home? For how long at a time?

7 days out - minimum of 36 hours home time 14 days out - minimum of 72 hours home time 21 days out - minimum of 108 hours home time (4 1/2 days)

Generally, OTR drivers will get home every other weekend, while regional drivers should be home every other weekend. This home time is guaranteed. Any driver who fails to be allowed the mandated home time earned will be paid at the rate of an additional $.05 per mile for all miles accumulated for days past the home time deadline date. Drivers who are on regional or dedicated accounts may get home 1 to 2 times per week.

Funny side note... I almost wasn't confirmed as a member on the site and wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I set out to do. Good thing that I thought something might be up and sent my bonafides to the owner. :)

Congratulations on lining up the opportunity at Millis. Big step! Good luck!

Here are several links you might find helpful as you prepare for school:

Brett's Early Days in Trucking School

Trucking has the Longest Job Interview

Ego Becomes the Downfall of Many CDL Students

Lots of regional stuff out of Cartersville.

Congratulations and good luck!