Comments By Aram KURD

Hmm, how long have I been here...it's hard to think back that far...

I've been here since July (I think?) of 2011. This place helped me find the answers I needed when I was researching which where and how to go about getting my CDL, gave me the encouragement I needed during training when things weren't necessarily going as smoothly as I would've liked, and helped me stay focused and not get overwhelmed during that whirlwind rookie year.

And here I still am, almost 7 years later. Not with the same company, but still rockin and rollin, gettin it done, kicking names and taking ass...or is it the other way around. Some days it feels like I've been at this for a thousand centuries, some days it feels like I just pulled out with my first solo load all over again. Even now, there are still new things to learn, new challenges to face, new places to go, things to see, and people to do...or something like that. It's always an adventure.

😂😂 thanks, man!! You made my night haha

Why do I hear so much bad stuff about swift from different people, yet almost every one that's driven for them seems to have liked it.

Just me and my car music blasting driving from Virginia to Texas.

Oh, I see. Well you'll have your entire trucking career to do that every single day.

Haha you're right about that.

When I started at Roehl I drove up to Marshfield WI. After school I drove home and they made areangements for my trainer to pick me up. It was nice having my own vehicle at school. They never said anything but after I graduated they paid me mileage to and from.

Due to my gas guzzling car and plane tickets being ridiculously high for Saturdays, I decided to just let them buy me a bus ticket. Gonna be a long trip, but at least it's free and I get to see some scenery...😢😭

Yea I thought about that too lol.

So they're going to let you drive the car home. Great. Then how do you get back to the terminal to get your truck after that? Another bus ride or plane ticket.

The thought of driving it down there free as a bird is intriguing

I don't know what you mean by that.

Take a plane if you can afford it.

Just me and my car music blasting driving from Virginia to Texas.

Thanks, Brett. They said at the end of my 6 to 8 week training they'd give me a chance to drive it back home. The thought of driving it down there free as a bird is intriguing but idk how much I'd waste in gas money ( I drive a 97 Toyota Land Cruiser). Some of the air line tickets I see are below 200, so I might go that route. I've already been on a bus from Houston Texas to Virginia, ironically lol so idk if I wanna do that honestly. Anyone drove from Virginia to Texas before?

Hey congrats!

I wouldn't take your car. You're never going to figure out how to get it back home. Taking the bus is no picnic but hey, it's a day on a bus, not a year in a Federal penitentiary so no big deal. Obviously flying would be great if you can afford it, otherwise just take the bus.

Well guys, and gals. I'm scheduled for orientation this Sunday 3/18/2018 in Dallas Texas with Stevens transport. They're giving me 3 options, they'll buy me a bus ticket which will take 1 day and 3 hours to get there. I can buy a plane ticket (which is 6 hours), and they'll reimburse me up to $200, or I can drive drive there (17 hour drive) and they'll reimburse me up to $200. What y'all think I should go with?

This was great, considering I'm gonna be running reefer. This was info that's gonna come in handy, thanks, Rainy

Gotcha, I figured it was a little fishy. Thanks for the tip. Man I'm glad I registered on this forum, you guys have been a great help.

Aram please do NOT do that.

You are not a company driver but a contractor if paid as a 1099. No benefits. That's lousy money considering that, plus you'll be paying out-of-pocket for half the total cost of FICA and Unemployment Tax. You'll likely need to provide your own insurance...possibly liability as well. The company will have zero ties to you and in all likelihood NOT provide any road training, which you will definitely need fresh out of school.

It's a bad deal,...run.

Thank you Chuck, and Danielsahn!

I had a question for whoever has an answer. I got a call from a buddy of mine who is an owner operator, he recommended me going with his former company out of Chicago (honestly didn't mention the name). He told me that I'd be bringing home $1200-$1400 a week as a company driver. Now here's the thing, he said that I will be using a 1099 tax form. Is anyone familiar with this type of setup. The money sounds good but I don't want to have to end up paying 10k in taxes at the end of the year.

Thank you, G-town ☺🤙