Mixed Opinions

So I have had a few people tell me that now is not the time to go on the road for training? Isn't now the best time that way you have expirence with winter roads? I'm going to central/swift and my recruiter time me that U send your drop macro and then u pretty much have ur next load right away. Any swift/central guys wanna assure me of that? My one friend is concerned that there is no freight to move in winter months. Let me know what ur opinions are

Even though i have heard there is a small dip in freight at this time. I have not seen it. Outside of some poor planners we have stayed on the road. And your right about macro. If you are not pre planned by the time you are ready, you can do a macro 30 and usally there are a few Loads to choose from.

James, things will slow as we approach Christmas time but not for a few weeks yet. And they don't slow as much for the flatbed and refrigerated companies as it does for the dry van companies generally speaking. But I certainly wouldn't be so concerned about it that I waited until spring to get started in trucking and I wouldn't choose the type of freight I wanted to haul solely based on the possibility of fluctuations.

Your first year...and heck, your first few months on the road this isn't going to matter much. New drivers straight out of the gate will not normally turn the amount of miles a veteran will. The company probably won't run you that hard even if you could do it. But the stress of being new to driving big rigs and the erratic sleep patterns wear you out a lot more quickly in the beginning than they will later on. So I don't think it's a bad thing if you're new to driving and freight gets a little slower for a couple of months. It will give you a chance to sit out the bad weather a bit and catch up on sleep. Come spring when everything is moving better you'll have established yourself a great reputation with your company and they'll be ready to keep you running hard and steady.

Thanks for the input Ricky and Brett. I am looking forward to actually going through with it this time. My moms brother in law drives regional day cab for Winco Foods, and was telling me it would be best to get out now as you are able to get training on the winter roads. So freight might get slow, but hopefully not enough to where you sit for a week without making miles. I will be going into Central so it might not be a problem

James, anything you've read about sitting for a week without getting any miles is a crock! I guess there may be some folks this has happened to, but any driver worth his salt will seldom if ever sit for more than a day. Remember your employer not only wants you, but needs you, to be moving.

Also when you're pulling a refer you are often pulling food - people have to eat no matter what season it is. You take care of your business and Central will keep you moving.

Last years down season SWIFT Central had more freight than they could handle. I have heard that from a few good sources. Doubt it will change this season.

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it all/

Unless things have changed in the past 24, There is the strike on the west coast ports which is already backing up containers and boats. That flat screen that you wanted for xmas might be backlogged..... end result is there might not be much of a slow down if everyone is going to be catching up!

They will always have freight for their good drivers. I started with them in the middle of Dec and went solo in mid Jan. I was extremely busy and had all the miles my rookie self can handle! I didn't experience any slow down.

And as mentioned, people gotta eat!