Swift Transportation
Topic 27752 | Page 1
Swift is a very solid choice despite what most reviews online would say. We have a few members here that have driven with swift for an extended period of time. Make sure you keep us updated as your progress through training! 
Hey, Joe. How did you come to consider Swift? Just curious.
I got started with Swift myself. Drove with them for three years, absolutely no complaints. Last week I listened to a Swift recruiter, and I feel they are an even better deal now than when I took their Academy.
I think the new trucks are getting built-in refrigerators and APUs now days. I worked with three DMs in my time there. All are great people. Here's the best advice, and it will work nearly everywhere: do the job, stay on time, don't turn down too many loads, and you get all the dispatch miles you can handle. That's what I did at Swift.
BTW for the last year or so I've been teaching in a CDL school. If I ever went back on the road, I'll call Swift.
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.
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.APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
APUs:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
I talked to a Swift recruiter on Thursday to ask a few questions. I will be submitting my application for training/employment in about 10 days. Still have some loose ends to tie up with shutting my landscaping business down. Been waiting for this since October, seems like forever! Wanna get the ball rolling and get out there hauling some loads!
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
interesting and exciting times, eh Dave? Good Luck with your journey.
I just shot a msg to my recruiter Friday. I hope to start week after Easter.
I feel the same way. Trying to tie up ends with family and home before heading out.
I talked to a Swift recruiter on Thursday to ask a few questions. I will be submitting my application for training/employment in about 10 days. Still have some loose ends to tie up with shutting my landscaping business down. Been waiting for this since October, seems like forever! Wanna get the ball rolling and get out there hauling some loads!
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Swift Recruiter contacted me after I submitted an application online and they've been tracking my progress in school, I have 53hrs left to complete the 160hr training. Can't wait to get out there, I plan on staying out 4mos or longer before taking a home break.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Hey Bullitt! Did you fill out and submit the application yet? Reason I ask is I talked to him on phone and told him I was very close to being ready to apply but couldnt commit until I see my accountant to finalize paperwork. Since we spoke I have gotten an email from Swift everyday asking if I filled out the App. It seems like an auto generated email, are you getting these as well? I dont want him to think I’m not serious by not completing and submitting the app, I just want everything wrapped up at home 1st.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
It’s good to hear you worked for Swift for that amount of time with no complaints. I’m going to be going there myself. I’m both excited and nervous. Guess that’s normal. Any advice is welcome.
thank you
Swift is a very solid choice despite what most reviews online would say. We have a few members here that have driven with swift for an extended period of time. Make sure you keep us updated as your progress through training!
Hey, Joe. How did you come to consider Swift? Just curious.
I got started with Swift myself. Drove with them for three years, absolutely no complaints. Last week I listened to a Swift recruiter, and I feel they are an even better deal now than when I took their Academy.
I think the new trucks are getting built-in refrigerators and APUs now days. I worked with three DMs in my time there. All are great people. Here's the best advice, and it will work nearly everywhere: do the job, stay on time, don't turn down too many loads, and you get all the dispatch miles you can handle. That's what I did at Swift.
BTW for the last year or so I've been teaching in a CDL school. If I ever went back on the road, I'll call Swift.
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.
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.APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
APUs:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Joe:
I’ve heard good things about Swift to start a career with. I’ve met and rode with G-town, a swift driver and Mod on here. I was very impressed with him and my ride along. It cemented my decision to move forward with them.
Dave, ive been going back and forth with my recruiter via the tenstreet app. I needed to log my cpap use before i could continue. I have sleep apnea. On Friday, i got a 1 year card and forwarded that info to her. I hope to hear from her on Monday. Ill keep up to date on my dairy.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Thanks Bullitt. Maybe we’ll be in Richmond together. Glad you got your Card and you can move forward. Those emails are all the same, must be automated now that I’m in the system. Recruiter told me to keep in touch. I’ll just give him a call this week
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I'm about to finish truck driver school, thinking about going to Swift.