Comments By Mark F. ( DAYBREAKER )

Thank you sir, I knew if I asked an actual swift driver I would get good intel. I'm a pretty logical guy and figured the company cannot be all that bad if they have been running the hwys for all these years. Like I stated earlier, no matter what company I looked into, I found good and bad from them all. As you stated. It's the driver that makes his/her own success with whatever company they work for. Thanks for the input. Be safe

Mark...

Yes Swift is huge and they also have a huge amount of freight. Swift is arguably the most maligned and also most misunderstood company in the trucking industry. They hire and fire more entry level drivers than any other carrier, so naturally they have more than their fair share of rookie follies that end up on YouTube and alleged bad experiences discussed ad nauseam on trucker websites. Lots of fodder that many times is reused and propagated as if it were brand new for a whole new batch of unsuspecting newbies to read and view. Horrifying. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Swift also has an incredible number of million plus mile drivers with no accidents,...you rarely "hear" about that. They next time you "hear" something bad about Swift, ask the individual if they ever worked for them and if so why is Swift so bad. Usually they will say "well I heard", and right there you basically diffuse further discussion because their knowledge is shallow unsubstantiated hearsay. If they actually did drive for Swift, 999 times out of 1000, you will find the driver was at odds with Swift for a series of critical mistakes and/or chronic unprofessional behavior. It's easy to then badmouth Swift to divert attention from the root cause of the falling out; driver error or unprofessional behavior and/or bad attitude.

In short I have been with Swift for over 4 years now, trained with them, stayed with them and have no intention of making a move at this stage of my life or career. They meet my needs, I make very good money, flexibility, have great working relationships with my DMs, Planners and Terminal Management. I am on a Dedicated Grocery Account servicing Walmart stores and Sam's and totally enjoy my job. There is a core of drivers at my DC/terminal that have been with Swift for 3 or more years, several with 10 years. I know of four drivers in the past two yeas hired by Walmart's Private Fleet from the ranks of experienced Swift drivers at the DC with Walmart Dedicated experience. That doesn't happen by accident (pun intended), it's by design.

I recently became a Grandfather for the first time. My Granddaughter lives with my daughter and son-in-law in a suburb of Indianapolis. Without asking, my DM offered to route me to the Muncie IN Walmart DC and run loads out of that region if I ever want to visit them for a period of time and then route me back home. I didn't ask,...it was offered, no conditions, no strings attached. How many so called "crappy" companies offer that to a driver? I have other stories just as compelling.

It's trucking so there is always challenges to overcome, hurdles to clear and bumps in the road. Nothing has occurred that I wasn't able to work out or manage while at Swift. Are they perfect? No. But contrary to popular belief, a professional and safe driver can succeed with Swift and any other several dozen companies I can think of off the top of my head. This job is about performance,...pure and simple. Those who figure it out and perform,...tend to refrain from posting any information because they are too busy earning a living and running their a** off. Those that can't perform have all the time in the world and typically will take the "time" to post negative and false information, telling anyone who will listen or read how they were horribly wronged by Swift. Call a Swift recruiter,...they will talk with you.

Here is a link of posts I have made regarding Swift: Swift Posts and Replies

Good luck. I am sure Gladhand, Tractor, Paul, Errol, Mr. T and Jim will chime in at some point.

Afternoon Gladhand, G-Town, and any other Swift drivers out there. I haven't been on here in a while however, I've been reading the posts. I'm in school and doing very well. I've gotten 2 pre-hires from companies. I asked the instructor today why we never get any info or recruiters from Swift to come in. And I kind of got the crooked eye. I have asked my friends who are drivers about swift and got bad reviews. Now I'm asking the 2 guys that I know work for Swift what is the deal with the bad reputation? I know swift is the largest company in the industry from what I'm seeing, and they have been around a long time. Can you guys give alittle insight on how it is to work for swift without getting into any trouble? I have been researching so many companies and there are good and bad reviews with them all. It really depends on who you ask and the drivers themselves. Thanks, Mark

Hey thanks for the intel Kurt. I just got off the phone with a recruiter and filled out the app for the OTR position out of Shrewsbury Ma. She said the app was perfect. So once I complete school we take the next steps. I'm happy to hear that what the recruiter told you was pretty much on line with what really takes place. I've talked with drivers from other companies and haven't heard to much negativity towards the BIG ORANGE. Keep the wheels turning and be safe. Thanks again, Mark

I drive for Schneider, but I'm not really sure how to answer your question except to say that I don't know any reason to avoid it. I've been solo 8 months now and I'm doing pretty well. Pretty much everything the recruiter told me was true (and another Schneider driver here, Steve I think, says the same). I've talked to drivers who weren't getting many miles, but that seems to be every company, including some of the regulars here. I think it's pretty much the same as the other big companies. I think some companies pay better (like Prime), but that probably shouldn't be the only thing in choosing a company.

If you have any specific questions I'll try to answer.

I'm about 1/4 into school, and the company recruiters are coming in and looking for pre-hires. SCHEIDER has a terminal about 30 min from home and their comp. pkg looks comparable to most others. I haven't heard anything good or bad about them. Although, yrs ago I knew someone who left his rig in a TS because they couldn't get him home when he wanted. ( so he said )... I kind of doubt that's the real reason. So just looking for some honest intel good or bad.

Thanks, Mark

How do you know if a LOT LIZARD is an UCC? ask him/her to smile. If you see teeth? its a COP lmao Just a funny ha ha

Is it worth it? I know I am the positive guy most of the time but lately I am not enjoying it like I usually do. I am not liking the constant travel or lifestyle as much as I thought I would. I still love driving, but some of the OTR things aren't really for me. Granted some of my complaints can be fixed, but basic luxuries we have at home I sure do miss. I would almost gladly take the 40hr work week back, but sadly I can't make a decent living doing so. I am not quitting by any means, but I am finding that I don't really like otr as much as I thought. It's one of those harsh reality type things. Man I was stupid for thinking I would work less as truck driver...

Brother, laziness is not going to get you anywhere, Trucking is a minimum of a 6 day a week job with 12 hour days. Minimum. How much are you making?

How much longer is your obligation to swift? If its almost over hang in there, if its just begun I would tell them if they keep pushing you around you will park the truck and walk. Let them sweat a little. you are not a slave my friend.

You are a young guy, look into the trades, start applying. Electrician, plumber, HVAC. The best thing would be to get a college degree if you want easy work. Blue collar work is hard, dirty and dangerous.

What do you miss the most? Are you lonely? If you are its ok to admit. Its tough.

Missing your love life? There are ways to get a date on the road that don't involve a diseased lot lizard, its not something many drivers will talk about but you can get company for a night on the town in almost any city over 100,000 people. I have done it and am not ashamed. you are a young guy and missing out on almost unlimited no strings attached hookups. Heck you can get a very classy lady or guy or whatever floats your boat, if your truck is clean they may even be willing to come back to check out your "house" after your date if its a nice clean truck. I have had company that wanted to try new things and were thrilled to check out my truck.

Are you a drinker? I am not but my trainer was and every so often he would take hometime in some new place, get a hotel and some company and drink so much he forgot his name. He said he needed to have a good hard drunk every couple months or so he said it was kind of like a reset for his mind.

Your in a rut brother. It happens to all of us. Even Joe six pack that works in a factory. I am not saying that you need to stay in trucking, but don't be afraid to spice it up a bit.

Brent had many good suggestions as well.

Hey Gladhand brother, When I started on this site I would read and read and read and you were one of the most impressive new drivers with a great attitude. Always looking at the positive. Always had something positive to say. Enjoying life. Then the day you grabbed your handle I laughed. You actually helped me remember what a gladhand was. And now your doing it again brother. By posting your feelings and seeing just how fast this can happen is about as honest as it gets bro. I'm sure you will figure out a way to get through this. Some mountains you can't go around, you just have to suck it up and go through it. And with your awesome attitude I have no doubt in a very short time I will be reading about some amazing thing you did and life is great again. NO DOUBT!!!! I'm not a youngster anymore, but I've started a new career in trucking and have completed week 1 in a private school. I'm the knucklehead that took the 540 hr course that everyone said not too. ( it worked for me ) .. I was concerned about passing a DOT physical due to prior med conditions. PASSED NO PROB!, Going to take my permit test this wed. Took the practice test Friday? Aced it!!! missed 4 out of 200 questions. Not only that, I had the highest score in the class of 18. The old man still has it :) But you know what? It's just a step in the right direction. Until I get that CDL in my hand I haven't done anything yet. Thank you for your honesty sir. It just goes to show you, this isn't an easy life, it's all in how we make adjustments to get through it and be happy. Good luck Bud. I'm sure you will land flat on your feet running again in a short time.

Hang in there GLADHAND

Same here I love being alone. The thing is just missing basic luxuries that I never considered luxuries. When I am on hometime I am still alone haha. It's amazing what it has done for my mental health and I can just think more clearly. I notice more things than I used to. Do you guys get the feeling as an otr driver as being an outsider that has an outside view of society? Like we are on the outside and get to examine what is going on inside of society.

Well I know I wont have any leg cramps for awhile lol Thanks all be safe, & roll on

NANAS!!!

Roger that anchorman, I don't want to break tradition. I will get mine legitimately soon enough. For now I will take the bunches of dancing bananas and friends and do the happy dance ole style :) Thanks all. Damn I haven't gotten so pumped about something in a very long time. Forgot how good it felt. And I just got a start date! what the heck will it be like when I graduate? I will be sure to let you know. But in the meantime I am going to boogie my ass to the coffee pot and get back here to study some more.

Does someone want Dancin' Nanners? Well....... Alrighty Then!

There it is baby. the dancing banana and friends lol Thanks

Congratulations.

55 yrs young

52 and counting...