Profile For Matt D.

I will jump in for the 1099 thing...i did it 7 yrs ago almost 8..i worked 1099 for 6 yrs....I am STILL paying on back taxes from 7 yrs ago...I will never do 1099 ever again...and it is worse when you make more as well.

I to went through the school but i went to work for a different company,I have my reasons why.But the schooling does you right and not easy but if you are focused you can do it and swift and every other big company has hate from somewhere just the nature of it. Swift as a company is not bad at all

I heard they have or are going to do away with the 1-5 twice in the reset rule??True or not

Its not part of the physical needed for DOT . The duck walk is part of something that carriers do..not all but most. It is usually the duck walk,climbing up (like into the back of a trailer) and carrying weight and push and pull.

I have to agree with Daniel on this...I choose the company i went to because it fills the needs i wanted the most.All companies big and small have good and bad..but everyone needs to choose based on what fits you the best.

I was going to jump in a say some things to the OP..But old school ,brett, daniel pretty much said everything i was going to say.So with that bring said can we lock the thread lol

I dont look at hours except for my allowed hours..Thanks to this site i knew It is more about the miles and not the hours except for those allowed.So yes we sit and sometimes (at least my company) pays for that time i sit.But i look more at my miles i drive

For OTR you can pretty much go with any company that hires in your area some companies have black out areas depending on the time and the area...Richmond I know has alot of terminals..Swift being one and i think US Xpress and I think Knight as well...Local runs usually you need or they prefer a yr of OTR exp but that depends on company...In short dont base OTR companies just in va...Check them all and check the hiring zone they have if you are in the area they hire from apply.....Good thing about trucking...You can be very mobile

I drive in either tennis shoe or a low cut hiking boot....I like to feel the reaction on the clutch... with boots on I cant feel it and just not comfy to me...But i do carry a pair with me for when they are needed

Yes swift is converting there whole fleet all what 26,000 trucks alot of the companies are changing the fleets over

Most truck stops sell a "tire thumper"

That is alot and i will try to answer most as i have just finished my training with swift

1.You will need to pay for your physcial. They pay for your bus there and your room. Food is on you..Training is 22 days...Now granted I went to the richmond academy so others areas can be different. You spend 3 days in class,will have a map test,log test and home work...They are easy test but you fail any of them twice your done..If you stay at the hotel your school is going to cost 4400....Most the class will be on same learning school..But you will have guys who use to have cdls but let them expire. All the trucks are manual 9 speed. The instructors are not rough but they expect you to learn and follow directions.They teach you enough just to pass your CDL for whatever state your in. On the range your test will be straight line back then your pre trip test then a backing test then a road test. not all at the same time and they give you time to practice...All test are pass or fail..You will have on the students for one state using the truck so waiting for your turn happens...usually double clutching is what people have the hardest time with...But for you never driving a manual is better cause you have no bad habits...Quit rate is hard to say..20%-to 50% i say

2. Ok showers...truck stops..and about 10 bucks a shower. They start you at 33 cents a mile with a penny increase every 3 months for a yr..Mileage is totally up to you really...Depending on how hard you wanna run and how you treat your DM...(as far as being on time and safe and accepting every load). but average i would say can be 1200 to 3000. Home time is usually you can go home after 3 weeks out ..But you can actually stay out for as long as you want..I doudt they would force hometime lol.

3. I am sure others can answer some of these as well but I am just answering what i know..As far as if you want to go to swift or not..It is totally your choice.To what fits you best...What ever you choose Good Luck

I would let Brett answer this and i do think he has some blogs about it as well

You ALWAYS have a CHOICE and should never be forced to do something you deem to be unsafe or out of your comfort zone...But having them all does make you more in demand if when that time comes you feel safe driving them...So when other drivers who dont have it are sitting and waiting you might just be able to keep rolling.

Keep safe out there man.

I have to agree with heavy c and gator on this..It is all about trip planning and the DOT rules..While you do need to run hard...running to hard will burn your 70 and you be resetting every 7 days.If your wheels arent turning your not making money and neither is the company...and most companies now a days prefer you to be safe than to risk it all..

Yea have to agree..its something you cant really read about..its more of a doing....just keep going and take it slow...and soon you be pushing them smooth.

I know one driver and i know another guy getting ready to go to TMC. From what they have said it is a really great company.Good pay,nice trucks,try to put drivers home every weekend.The trucks is the big thing..they want them super clean.

I will be leaving and starting Dec 1st at the Richmond one.

Yes And I leave for Swift richmond on the 1st of decemeber