Swift As A Company To Work For

I have seen both good and bad things said about Swift Transportation. Does anyone here currently work for them or have you worked for them in the past that can tell me about them??? Specifically what to expect right out of their school??

I am mostly conserned with the fact that if i syaty school mid september i will finish training and be on y own as soon as the snow season starts...

I hate to be the bearor of bad news but it really doesn't matter whether you start now or later it is going to get you eventually. Mother Nature will bite you in the a$$ one season or the other. I'm in the same boat, deciding who to go with and committing but I live in the Northeast so I'm use to it. Take a trip uptop of this page and hit the search bar with Swift and it should give you some good info from other drivers.. Good Luck!!!!!

I hate to be the bearor of bad news but it really doesn't matter whether you start now or later it is going to get you eventually. Mother Nature will bite you in the a$$ one season or the other. I'm in the same boat, deciding who to go with and committing but I live in the Northeast so I'm use to it. Take a trip uptop of this page and hit the search bar with Swift and it should give you some good info from other drivers.. Good Luck!!!!!

oh I know I will be in it eventually, just wondering of a company like SWIFT would throw a fresh rookie into the northeast a week into solo driving or if they do what they can to minimize the really dangerous driving until they have some time behind the wheel.

The Northeast is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Yes we have snow but unlike you we also have Big Snow Plows. We can get a foot of snow and the world still turns as well as our tires. I wouldn't sweat it, it's not like living in Virginia, ohno I didn't. Seriously, you will be put into all types of situations and each one will be an experience for you, learn from each one! The first snow storm, no matter where you are; Slow down, you now have to look that much further in front of you.

The Northeast is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Yes we have snow but unlike you we also have Big Snow Plows. We can get a foot of snow and the world still turns as well as our tires. I wouldn't sweat it, it's not like living in Virginia, ohno I didn't. Seriously, you will be put into all types of situations and each one will be an experience for you, learn from each one! The first snow storm, no matter where you are; Slow down, you now have to look that much further in front of you.

My 4 wheeler is the jeep in my avatar, I am not scared to drive that with 3 inches of snow ontop of 2 inches of ice.. but me jeep is much different then an 80k 18 wheeler... I just know want to be as safe as possible, but i do not want to be late or something cause i feel its not safe to drive.

I dunno i am probably jusy over thinking and freaking myself out.

Please don't take me wrong, the weather is a major factor in driving and I do not want to make lite of tit. The instructors will teach and your mentor will surely guide you in the right direction. There will be plenty of people, (us, this site) that will be there, if and when needed to help.

I wouldn't say you're overthinking it. I mean, it's a scary thing to think about. But consider this, I started training in mid December and went solo mid January. My entire training period was in harsh weather and never driven in the snow before because it was born and raised in CA and my family couldn't afford to go on any trips.

I survived, it wasn't easy. If I can then you can too. Just take it very slow. Drive 20mph if you have to and drive even slower when you're empty. Less weight = less traction.

Remember, it's not a race. Don't get in a hurry ever. I don't care if you're running late. The solution isn't to drive faster. If you must shut down then shut down.

Not pushing through inclement weather will not make them think any differently of you. Its not worth it for the company to risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars just to get a load in on time. They can always reschedule. Pushing through inclement weather is just about the worst thing you can do on the road in my opinion. Driving in conditions that are dangerous will eventually end your career and maybe even your life. Would you really risk your life for boxes of macaroni and cheese?

I sure as heck wouldn't. Those boxes can wait a day. At the end of the day my goal is to be alive to be able to support my family. And I won't risk my family losing me just to prove to some guy at a desk that I'm reliable. The company also doesn't want you to push through inclement weather. They have enough accidents each year and they want to avoid as much as possible.

So please, everyone reading this. Do not think that you're any less of a driver for stopping when conditions get ugly. If anything, you're a better driver than the guy going 60 mph who will get his load in on time but risk everything in exchange. The good drivers are the ones who use their head.

I will drive through rain. I will drive through snow. I won't drive through a blizzard and I won't be driving if I'm required to put on chains. In all honesty, I don't think we get paid enough to put on chains and drive down a steep grade with 79,000 pounds behind our backs. I won't drive if I feel like I'm risking my life. I'm 22 and have a bright future with a wonderful wife, no way I'm going to risk losing what I am blessed with just so walmart can have their product.

The more strict you are when it comes to safety then the safer you'll be.

In the end the person who makes the decision is you. You're the captain of the ship and what you say goes. Your DM has absolutely no say in whether or not you should or shouldn't drive. Drive when you feel comfortable. Go ahead and drive 15 mph with those chains on while they tear apart your tires. You'll be wasting your 70 driving and making no money in return. Ill be in the truck stop sipping my hot tea talking with my family and watching TV. Meanwhile you'll be holding onto the steering wheel with your life.

I want to go the extra mile here. I want you to know what you'll be getting paid with those chains on.

Lets say my trucks maximum speed is 60mph and I get .30cpm. If you do the math, they means if I drive exactly 60mph nonstop for a full hour I will make 18$ per hour.

Now lets say you decided to drive with chains on. A safe speed is about 20 mph so lets use that with the same pay. So if you drive with chains on going exactly 20mph for a full hour nonstop. You will have made 6$ for that hour. Lets no forget those hours spent wrestling with those chains. You also wasted time off your 70 hour clock. You risked your life, wrestled with heavy chains, just so you can make 6$ per hour.

So I ask. Who is the fool and who is the wise one? The one who sat comfortably at the truck stop or the one who is so determined to get his load in on time so he can be viewed as dependable meanwhile risking his entire life and career.

Like Brett always says. If the weathers terrible today, chances are tomorrow morning it'll be clear and perfect for driving. So why not wait?

I hope I made my point. If you don't feel safe driving, then don't drive.

Daniel, you are wise beyond your years.

I wouldn't say you're overthinking it. I mean, it's a scary thing to think about. But consider this, I started training in mid December and went solo mid January. My entire training period was in harsh weather and never driven in the snow before because it was born and raised in CA and my family couldn't afford to go on any trips.

I survived, it wasn't easy. If I can then you can too. Just take it very slow. Drive 20mph if you have to and drive even slower when you're empty. Less weight = less traction.

Remember, it's not a race. Don't get in a hurry ever. I don't care if you're running late. The solution isn't to drive faster. If you must shut down then shut down.

Not pushing through inclement weather will not make them think any differently of you. Its not worth it for the company to risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars just to get a load in on time. They can always reschedule. Pushing through inclement weather is just about the worst thing you can do on the road in my opinion. Driving in conditions that are dangerous will eventually end your career and maybe even your life. Would you really risk your life for boxes of macaroni and cheese?

I sure as heck wouldn't. Those boxes can wait a day. At the end of the day my goal is to be alive to be able to support my family. And I won't risk my family losing me just to prove to some guy at a desk that I'm reliable. The company also doesn't want you to push through inclement weather. They have enough accidents each year and they want to avoid as much as possible.

So please, everyone reading this. Do not think that you're any less of a driver for stopping when conditions get ugly. If anything, you're a better driver than the guy going 60 mph who will get his load in on time but risk everything in exchange. The good drivers are the ones who use their head.

I will drive through rain. I will drive through snow. I won't drive through a blizzard and I won't be driving if I'm required to put on chains. In all honesty, I don't think we get paid enough to put on chains and drive down a steep grade with 79,000 pounds behind our backs. I won't drive if I feel like I'm risking my life. I'm 22 and have a bright future with a wonderful wife, no way I'm going to risk losing what I am blessed with just so walmart can have their product.

The more strict you are when it comes to safety then the safer you'll be.

In the end the person who makes the decision is you. You're the captain of the ship and what you say goes. Your DM has absolutely no say in whether or not you should or shouldn't drive. Drive when you feel comfortable. Go ahead and drive 15 mph with those chains on while they tear apart your tires. You'll be wasting your 70 driving and making no money in return. Ill be in the truck stop sipping my hot tea talking with my family and watching TV. Meanwhile you'll be holding onto the steering wheel with your life.

I want to go the extra mile here. I want you to know what you'll be getting paid with those chains on.

Lets say my trucks maximum speed is 60mph and I get .30cpm. If you do the math, they means if I drive exactly 60mph nonstop for a full hour I will make 18$ per hour.

Now lets say you decided to drive with chains on. A safe speed is about 20 mph so lets use that with the same pay. So if you drive with chains on going exactly 20mph for a full hour nonstop. You will have made 6$ for that hour. Lets no forget those hours spent wrestling with those chains. You also wasted time off your 70 hour clock. You risked your life, wrestled with heavy chains, just so you can make 6$ per hour.

So I ask. Who is the fool and who is the wise one? The one who sat comfortably at the truck stop or the one who is so determined to get his load in on time so he can be viewed as dependable meanwhile risking his entire life and career.

Like Brett always says. If the weathers terrible today, chances are tomorrow morning it'll be clear and perfect for driving. So why not wait?

I hope I made my point. If you don't feel safe driving, then don't drive.

thanks for that advice, but will you get in trouble from the company for being late, or do they account for that come winter?? Just thinking i do not want to get fired because i choose not to drive on ice.

I know places like the northeast take care of their roads better then VA does, but i also know that 20 miles from where i live is one hell of a steep mountain where 64 meets up with 81 that get closed nearly every wither due to snow and ice and has even been closed due to wind. Hell in my jeep coming over Afton mountain the wind has been so bad it threw my jeep from one lame to the next i do not want to think what it does to a truck.

I drove for swift back in 2012. I started in Aug with them and went Solo in Oct. I had no training for snow or ice, but I like you had TT for help and information. Now with swift, if you feel unsafe to drive due to weather, give your DM a call and say so. They can't force you to roll. If they attempt it, give safety a call.

As Daniel B said, no box is worth it. If its too ugly, stop and wait it out.

As I said, I drove back in 2012/13 with them so things may have changed. I went through the Phoenix, AZ academy. Right out of school I went home, transfered my lic to CA and had a nice week off. (you can take as much time as you need or dive right into Orientation on Monday. (New Orientation call every monday or tuesday at some locations)

Orientation is 3 days. 2 days of paperwork and videos 3rd day is employment info, driver code and you leave with your trainer if one is available. You'll be driving for 50hrs for your first "week" which if you drive for 10hrs/day you'll finish in 5 days. You won't be expected to drive for 10hrs. If you can only do 4, then your trainer will take over. Your trainer will be in the passenger seat during your 50hr's.

As soon as your 50 is up, you will be doing Team driving. You will drive and trainer sleep and vice versa. I will tell ya, its very hard to sleep while the truck is moving. It took me close to a week to get use to it. Your Team training will be roughly 190hrs, this may have changed though..

Through out your training, your trainer should be helping you with backing, showing you paper work and how to send it in to get paid, how truck stops work and showers and how to tackle steep grades. You will also have to stop by a terminal to take a test on maping. You'll need to make a route on the map for fueling and delivery and take a small test. Your trainer should show you how to use a map book if you don't know.

At the end of your 4-6 week training, you will go back to your home terminal or closest terminal to your location and take your final exam. Your final exam will be a road test and pre-trip. After that, you'll go back to safety get some info from them ( i don't remember what) and then you'll me the fleet manager and your DM. You'll also get your first truck.

Your first truck will probably be run down and at the 400k mile mark. Take what they give ya, if you get a choice, take the one you feel fits. You'll drive it for about a month and then probably get a newer truck.

hope this helps you.

David