Comments By Oingo

Thank you all for the replies! First some background: I worked in the I.T. Field for 23 years with 75% of my employment being "Contract Work" for the government. The remaining 25% was working for Corporations. Things started out well, $45K back in 1996 for 4 years at Compaq Computer as a Technical Assessment Analyst (dead end job) until they purchased Digital (big mistake), killed the stock price, and caused the CEO to be fired and over 1000 people laid off in one day including me. Had to teach myself programming because that was all the rage in 2000, and my old job was no longer in demand at all. $74K a year for almost 4 years with Shell Oil as a Programmer. Then "Outsourcing" arrived! Why pay Americans this kind of money, when you can outsource to India for peanuts and not have to pay benefits to them , and also make them work 12 hour days etc. My entire department of 200 people got laid off in 2003 as a result with the added humility of training our Indian replacements. Figuring "Information Security" was more secure, I transitioned into that and had a 10 year run in this career as a Government Contractor, until the Obama era Government Budget Cuts known as sequestration hit in 2012. Not only was I laid off, but trying to find a government job was very difficult because of the lack of government contracting in my area 90% of jobs here. Thus, I NEEDED work and took a Corporate Job, which was good for about 4 years until they decided to lay people off due to OUTSOURCING to India yet again. Since then, I have been out of work for 9 out of the past 12 months, and cannot even apply for Government Contracting jobs because due to the previously mentioned Government Budget Cuts/Sequestration and so many people including myself losing their Government Contracting jobs had their "Clearances" , i.e. Secret, Top Secret etc lapse or go inactive due to there being a 700,000 person backlog for background checks that are required to be done every few years to keep clearances going. Thus, I would get job interviews only to be told by the Hiring Managers that the days of getting a clearance reinstated in just a few weeks are over. NOW, it takes at least 3 months but a year on average! I and others were informed of this over and over.....and the contracting firms have complained to the Obama Administration in the past, but the Government stance was "Once you get the contract" staffing is not our problem its yours". I have been told that these Contracting firms such as Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and others big and small are pleading to the Trump Administration to address this issue....but so far nothing...after all its only been several months...maybe next year. The remaining corporate jobs in this area consider me "over qualified" for all positions below Manager and "under qualified" for all positions from manager on up....I have applied for hundreds of jobs since last October and the "Over Qualified/Under Qualified" situation is frustrating. Plus, when you have the experience I have, and NAIL the interviews only to be rejected yet again with a standard form letter, just BEATS ME DOWN. In the meantime, I have wiped out my savings in the past year except for two 401K's which could be used as a last resort with a big tax penalty if need be. NO UNEMPLOYMENT, due to a technicality.... Fortunately, my wife works part time and hopes to be full time soon, so at least utilities are covered and also the House payment is covered for this month and next. I considered getting my CDL because I am just fed up with Information Technology and the Outsourcing of Jobs to India, but also because I have always liked 18 wheeler's and trucking, and when I was 16 declared to my parents that was my career choice...my mother wanted me to become a mail man, because back then it was a great job. Anyway, with a choice of "no income" or at least "low income" in a trucking career, it is a no brainer. I guess I could get a job at McDonalds or something, but I want to hold on to the last self respect and dignity I have left. IMHO "Blue Collar" work is something to be RESPECTED. My father was blue collar all his life, and for a guy who dropped out of high school with no diploma did better than anyone would have expected with hard work and dedication. Low Salary aside, I RESPECT and ADMIRE Truckers, IMHO they are America, regardless of whether they are a company driver or an owner operator. If hard work and dedication is the recipe for even moderate success, then so be it. At least, my success or failure will be mostly determined by my performance, which is something I have more control over. I know trucking is far from perfect, but if I have to start over, at least these Trucking companies are giving me a "CHANCE". No one else is giving me a chance....these trucking companies even respect the fact I am a Veteran, and at least with Swift are waiving my tuition as part of the Veterans's scholarship program. As a result, at least trucking gives me a chance...in fact, when it comes to most corporations outside of trucking the whole we prefer Veteran's stuff is a myth IMHO as despite being qualified for positions I apply to, and being a "Protected Veteran", I cannot even get an interview. The worst part was when I could not even get a tech support or customer service job...yet even when I call my bank etc. I representatives who can barely speak English. Is that not a qualification? I would think so....yet I cannot even get those jobs.

CORRECTION: it was an article by "highflight1985"- "What The Recruiter Didn't Explain".

I just finished reading a forum article here on the TT Forum (2012) where the author who started with SWIFT as an inexperienced driver, but came back later after he had driven a few years, said Swift pays very bad during the first year and most drivers quit during the first year due to the bad pay. Is this true say compared to Roehl? Or has the economy since 2012 picked up enough that its gotten better. Also, he ripped the SWIFT Terminals and their repair and maintenance shops. I am kind of worried as I do have a $1700 monthly mortgage to pay....and wondering if I am better off with Roehl?

You are right Brett. BTW, I read your book last night and enjoyed it very much! Thank you for the book and this website, my head would have exploded without it.

there was a guy on uTube who.......

Another guy who

OMG people kill me with this. Stop worrying about what some random guy says on the Web! You guys don't know anything about these people. You have no idea who they are or whether or not their information is reliable.

This is a performance based business. Not everyone is treated equally at any company. You're going to be treated based on how well you perform. If you perform at a high level you're going to get better miles, better equipment, more home time, more favors, and better runs. If you perform at a low level you're going to be sitting around a lot doing nothing, you're not going to get many favors, and you're not going to have it as good as the top performers.

But make no mistake about it - all of the major companies are great places to work if you're a top performer, and there are no companies that are going to give you top miles, top pay, and top equipment if you're a lousy performer.

That statement is true across the board in this industry. There's no such thing as avoiding a bad company or seeking out a good company when you're talking about the major carriers. These companies are the elite in the industry. They're all the best of the best. There's no such thing as a bad elite company.

You have to learn how to perform at a high level if you want to make top pay. Prepare yourself well, work super hard, learn all you can, and get along well with people. If you'll do those things you'll be happy anywhere you go. If you don't do those things you won't be happy anywhere you go.

Pick the company that suits you well based on their pay, home time, types of freight, and the regions of the country they run. That's it. You'll never hear us say, "Don't forget to check YouTube to see what some random knucklehead says about the company."

Pick a company that offers what you're looking for and go show them you're a top level performer. That's all you have to worry about. Every company has a long list of miserable drivers. Every company has a long list of happy drivers. That always has and always will be the case.

Thanks guys! Right now I am considering both Swift and Roehl. I will be deciding by Monday. Also, there was a guy on uTube who really liked Roehl training but then claims they hosed him when he was overweight and despite the fact he let them know. They would not allow him to drive back 20 miles to correct it, and he got a ticket and fine later that day and they refused to pay it and he had to. Now I am just a noob, but it sounds like he is not telling us everything, as from what I understand, and I may be incorrect, but are not you supposed to go to a weigh station asap after picking up your load to get weighed, so that if its overloaded, your not miles and miles away from the terminal? He ended up quitting Roehl and going to Knight and claims its so much better. Another guy who works for Swift said he just got weighed and was fine but later in the day a Maryland cop made him weigh and was 4K over, but he fought the ticket in court and won. Not sure what to think.

Earnie, Wow, even with the closest terminal being Pittston, PA? Also, I think I found as typo on the TT Prime CDL review, or maybe a moderator can confirm this below, is it a typo? "After obtaining your CDL, you will complete a minimum of 30,000 miles with a Prime Trainer to become a professional commercial vehicle operator. During this time, you will be paid $700 guaranteed weekly ($0.14 cpm)."

$700 weekly = .14 cmpm? Is that not 5000 miles a week? $700/.14= 5000?

Also, I notice the TT review says 50% Drop and Hook...does that mean you are loading or unloading the other 50% of the time?

Vin,

I live in Chesapeake VA and drive for Prime. They have one of the best training programs going. Don't limit your search for a company to drive for just because you are close to one of their terminals.

Ask any questions you may have, we have lots of Prime drivers on this forum that would be more than happy to help. All you have to do is ask.

Not to say Swift isn't a good choice, just making sure you understand you have many options to choose from.

Ernie

Errol. Using Roehl as an example, I seem to get the impression that the closer a driver lives to any terminal, the easier it is for the company to allow them to take advantage of their company's "Custom Home Time" policy, otherwise it may be difficult. Closest Roehl terminal to me is Atlanta GA and the closest drop yard is Darlington, SC. I believe Roehl even states something about this on their website I recall. Any Roehl drivers here that can ad their 2 cents?

Hi, Vin. Welcome to Trucking Truth, and maybe to Swift. Yes, is true, Swift has a "scholarship" for veterans. I benefited from that myself.

Bring a copy of your DD-214 with you. You will still need to sign the financing contract. But that's all you'll see. No tuition payments will be deducted. You must drive for Swift for one year, then your account will be cleared. (You owe $0.00.) But if you stop driving for Swift before that first anniversary, the full amount will be due.

I had/paid the fees for my CDL permit and medical card, so the academy did not ask me for any more money - you may not need to come up with the $300.

Finally, living near a terminal has advantages, but it's not necessary. Any company will make it easy for you to stop by the house for home time. Don't limit your choice of company by that requirement, though of course going to Swift is an excellent decision 😆.

About a year and a half ago, both of my previous employers Health Insurance and Benefits (Health, Life, Dental, Vision) premiums went up and I was paying for my wife and I (non smokers age 52-55) between $1200 and $1300 a month at a salary of $60K-$86K a year. During that $60K a year job which was a small company, the cost of $1200 a month destroyed my paycheck. I am concerned that if I end up with a similar premium with a trucking company, I won't be able to make ends meet. Can anyone give me an idea of what you pay for you and your spouse? I am looking seriously at SWIFT, so any SWIFT driver feedback would be very appreciated. Thanks

Thanks Earnie! I will look at their website today.

Vin,

I live in Chesapeake VA and drive for Prime. They have one of the best training programs going. Don't limit your search for a company to drive for just because you are close to one of their terminals.

Ask any questions you may have, we have lots of Prime drivers on this forum that would be more than happy to help. All you have to do is ask.

Not to say Swift isn't a good choice, just making sure you understand you have many options to choose from.

Ernie

Excellent Errol! That is a load off of my mind, one less thing to worry about.