Comments By Southern Dad

I'm 53-years-old and moving from the executive offices to the cab of a truck. I can attest to how easy it is to use this site to find a job in the truck driving industry. Things moved along more quickly than I anticipated, after I clicked Apply For Paid CDL Training. The process got underway very quickly. Nine companies contacted me. Two of them, I declined almost immediately as not the right fit for me. That left seven to give serious consideration.

There are a lot of factors to consider. You can do a lot of the research, right here. Read those diaries from students. I have a school start date of 10/21.

As for Swift, a few things to keep in mind. Look at how many trucks are on the road. Of course, they are more likely to be seen in accidents. That doesn't mean the driver was at fault. Their trucks with that big logo just makes them stand out more. Talk to Swift drivers that are currently employed, not drivers who were terminated or left disgruntled. I think you will find that you may have judged a book by its cover.

Swift made the top three in my decision making process, along with Millis and TMC. It wasn't an easy decision.

Money is not everyone's top priority when it comes to choosing a company to have a career. In my research, because I have been approved to TMC and Millis, I believe the numbers that he is showing. How long can he maintain this lifestyle? As I said, there is more to this life than the W-2 amount.

I had a relative who was killed in a head on accident. The driver of the other car was not cited until over a month later. The really bad part... This was a texting and driving accident that killed someone and it's only a misdemeanor. The District Attorney can review the reports and make the decision if the police aren't able to come to a conclusion at the time. I was stunned they did not cite him for anything at the scene, he clearly crossed the centerline, that wasn't even in question.

Twice, I’ve had law enforcement tell me there was a warrant for my arrest. Both times, it turned out it was my brother giving my name to the officer, when he got in trouble. Worse, both times it cost me money to fix it.

The second time, the deputy who got the warrant to serve had literally known me nearly my whole life. One look at the mug shot attached to the warrant and he knew who did it.

Instead of taking me to jail, he had me meet him at the magistrate, where, after the deputy’s statement, I was released without paying anything and the charges got dropped.

I wish I could say my brother grew up but he’s in a county jail now. DUI and a dozen other charges. Now at least the ID him from prints.

Funny side note... I almost wasn't confirmed as a member on the site and wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I set out to do. Good thing that I thought something might be up and sent my bonafides to the owner. :)

A quick thank you to Brett for creating this forum and for all of you that have chimed in. I know there was at least one that doubted my purpose for being here. I took my DOT Physical on Thursday, and passed my CDL A Permit Exam today. Then I signed with Millis Transport this morning. I start training on 10/21. While I am sure that I have seen the trucks on the road, I was not familiar with the company. The CDL Training Center is just under a hundred miles from my home. The shotgun approach with one app going to many places that I completed using the link here, was really a great idea.

As I mentioned, home time ranked at the top of my list when it came to priorities. Because of where I live, a regional position is a real possibility, after training. The price for training is better than any that I found. It's only $1000 (military veteran). Which is phenomenal. I hope to have the time to get a blog thread going during my training.

This text, right here on TruckerTruth told me this was the right company for me. When the recruiter stated all the same things that I read here, some respect was added for the accuracy of the information found here.

How often can I expect to be home? For how long at a time?

7 days out - minimum of 36 hours home time 14 days out - minimum of 72 hours home time 21 days out - minimum of 108 hours home time (4 1/2 days)

Generally, OTR drivers will get home every other weekend, while regional drivers should be home every other weekend. This home time is guaranteed. Any driver who fails to be allowed the mandated home time earned will be paid at the rate of an additional $.05 per mile for all miles accumulated for days past the home time deadline date. Drivers who are on regional or dedicated accounts may get home 1 to 2 times per week.

I really like the honesty of the Swift recruiter. He has been clear that he can’t promise me designated, or even home more than two days every two weeks, or three days every three weeks. He isn’t pushy and he has given me a lot of candid advice.

Good for you SD.

Based on your home time desire, I’d let them know running Dedicated is of interest to you. I can vouch for the Walmart Accounts; they always need drivers.

To reiterate what Errol shared; Swift much maligned by people who never worked for them or couldn’t cut the industry in general. My Swiftie experience including school, mentoring, orientation, rookie year, up to the current; zero regrets. No plans to look elsewhere.

Things will move very fast now. Study the PTI I sent you..,it’s 1/3rd of school and the CDL A test.

Good luck!

I will investigate as much as possible when considering whether to take percent or mileage pay. I will also ask if I can change the selection at a late date, if I am not happy with the compensation. The bashing of Swift doesn’t weigh into my decision. Trust me, I was US Army surrounded by Marines. I took my share of bashing and gave quite a bit. But when things got real, we all had each other’s back.

I recommend staying with cents per mile pay because it stays constant.

Percentage pay is based on rates. currently on a downward trend, like 20% lower now than they were a year ago.

Everyone bashes Swift because they're the largest truckload carrier out here. More trucks equals more chances for bad things to happen.

I did. I read every page of that thread. That thread may serve as a model for mine, when I go to CDL school. If I decide to go with them, and they decide to go with me, I would also opt for the percentage. At present that is 26% for newbies. There is also a point system that can really bump up the pay.

I'm not going into this for the money. Money is nice but there are other higher priorities on my list, home time being one that TMC seems to do well in.

SD did you read Solo's TMC diary? He is the most recent I recall doing a diary of TMC about 8 months ago. In his diary he states that he will make 90k his rookie year. Please do not get fixated on that number as he's paid a percentage of the load and freight rates were very high. Now that rates have tanked pay will not be anywhere near that, atleast the first year. It is still an excellent way to get an idea of how schooling and training would be if you went that route.

My father-in-law, a lifelong trucker often jokes about Swift but he's quick to acknowledge that they are the biggest and it's really just a small percentage of the drivers that draw that attention. He did say there were worse places that I could go. The Swift recruiter is telling me that I live in the right area for several dedicated accounts. Obviously, it's a vague not-quite-promise.

I appreciate the insight about Driver Manager (DM). Swift brings a lot to the table. On a completely outside note, my wife is also a teacher but at the elementary school grades. I do not know how you all do it.

I drove only for Swift. What I'm about to say will truly work for nearly every other big trucking company.

Swift is quick to pay you, and covers any authorized road expenses. Their equipment is no more than 4 years old and getting things fixed is never a problem. They are on top of safety issues. The most important thing is your relationship with your Driver Manager (DM). You two are a team and your team will make money (miles) if you work together.

You might find lots of people are down on Swift. Well that goes for most large companies as well, only Swift if one of the largest,. If you run the numbers, there's are numerically more Swift drivers out there. And since they train their own new drivers, Swift becomes the butt of newbie jokes. Never mind this, Swift is a good company to dive for.