Swift

I am interested in going to work for Swift going to there school and all I just would like to ask anyone that works for them what you think of the company are they good to the drivers what kind of thucks they run do they still have standard transmission are the going to auto transmission like most of the companies.

Otis, there are a few Swifties here. I've been driving with them nearly one year. All things considered they keep me rolling. I've worked for three DMs, and they are all genuine human beings, not taskmasters or demons.

I believe newer trucks are automatic, but chances are you'll get a manual. If that makes you nervous, don't be. They'll get you up to speed in school.

I recommend you keep Swift on your list.

I went to the swift school in Lewiston and I highly recommend it. My on road training lasted 5 weeks and I learned quite a bit. A lot of it was things related to the lifestyle that really can't be taught but need to be experienced. Now that I'm solo, about 5 months, I'm learning more stuff. How to navigate, managing clocks, truck housekeeping, etc. When I say learn I guess I really mean master. It takes me a while to really feel that I've mastered something like HOS and how it affects a 2200 mile trip. As for the company, the terminals and mechanics are hit and miss. Some great, some less so. The tractors are a mixed bag. My first truck was a 2014 KW680 with a 9spd. It was used but I liked it. Now I'm on my 1st trip with a 2016 freightliner automatic and it has me questioning my career choice. I'll get it eventually but right now, I'm not a fan of it. My DM is the best in the world. She runs me when she can, let's me rest when I need to, and gets me home on time for a long time. I make sure she knows I appreciate it too. (Thanks Brett for that bit of advice.)

Rob, what's the problem with the automatic? I drove a 2016 Freightliner day cab for three months. They're not too bad once you get the hang of them.

Hello I have a couple of questions about swift. First how long does it take a recruiter to get a hold of you after filling out online application? Can swift drivers take there trucks home and are pets allowed to ride along? One more does swift have a apus and inverters in there tractors? Thank you and please stay safe out there hopefully I can join you out on the road in the near furture

I went to the swift school in Lewiston and I highly recommend it. My on road training lasted 5 weeks and I learned quite a bit. A lot of it was things related to the lifestyle that really can't be taught but need to be experienced. Now that I'm solo, about 5 months, I'm learning more stuff. How to navigate, managing clocks, truck housekeeping, etc. When I say learn I guess I really mean master. It takes me a while to really feel that I've mastered something like HOS and how it affects a 2200 mile trip. As for the company, the terminals and mechanics are hit and miss. Some great, some less so. The tractors are a mixed bag. My first truck was a 2014 KW680 with a 9spd. It was used but I liked it. Now I'm on my 1st trip with a 2016 freightliner automatic and it has me questioning my career choice. I'll get it eventually but right now, I'm not a fan of it. My DM is the best in the world. She runs me when she can, let's me rest when I need to, and gets me home on time for a long time. I make sure she knows I appreciate it too. (Thanks Brett for that bit of advice.)

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Hey Barry, I went to Swift's academy in November, and I'm just finishing up my one-on-one training to go solo in a couple days, so maybe I can answer a couple of these for you.

First, after I submitted my application, I called the recruiting line from the website and they started getting me set up immediately. They just do a brief background check and they will likely want to get you to an academy the next week or ASAP. Yes, drivers take their trucks home, as long as they can get you freight going through wherever you're taking your hometime. Pets are not allowed on company trucks. There are no APU's on Swift's trucks, and most trucks do not have an inverter, nor will you be allowed to wire one up. However, the new '16 Cascadia Evolutions do come equipped with inverters. My trainer's truck has one. In the case you need one for medical use, I believe they make an exception.

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

BMI:

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:

• Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
• Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit

It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

It looks like Swift has some good things and bad things the did get back to me quick I did it on line Saturday and they called me Monday morning but it looks like I should have ask some questions about this and that because they did not tell me much. I did one for Warner and sent them what they wanted me to and still have not heard anything from them how long dose it take them to get back in touch with you if anyone went to there school and works for them let me know what is the up and down

My DM is the best in the world. She runs me when she can, let's me rest when I need to, and gets me home on time for a long time. I make sure she knows I appreciate it too. (Thanks Brett for that bit of advice.)

Knowing how to create a great working relationship with your dispatcher is one of the most important aspects of being happy and successful out there. Everyone worries about a company being a bad company to work for. In reality, your dispatcher is your whole company when you're a driver. That's the only person you'll communicate with 95% of the time. If things are going well you won't need to speak with anyone else.

Once a driver and dispatcher get to know how the other one operates you get in a groove and things generally go great. You'll get great miles, you'll get home when you should, and they'll throw in a special favor once in awhile once you learn how to ask properly.

Hey Barry, I went to Swift's academy in November, and I'm just finishing up my one-on-one training to go solo in a couple days, so maybe I can answer a couple of these for you.

First, after I submitted my application, I called the recruiting line from the website and they started getting me set up immediately. They just do a brief background check and they will likely want to get you to an academy the next week or ASAP. Yes, drivers take their trucks home, as long as they can get you freight going through wherever you're taking your hometime. Pets are not allowed on company trucks. There are no APU's on Swift's trucks, and most trucks do not have an inverter, nor will you be allowed to wire one up. However, the new '16 Cascadia Evolutions do come equipped with inverters. My trainer's truck has one. In the case you need one for medical use, I believe they make an exception.

Matt Thank you very much for the great information!!! Stay safe out there

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

BMI:

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:

• Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
• Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit

It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Dunno how accurate this was, but I asked my recruiter on Tuesday about apu and inverters and she told me "no apu, alot of the trucks dont have inverters, some of the newer ones do" and "If you want or need one, you have to buy it and it has to be installed by the shop" Has this changed from a year ago? I knows there is alot of 12 volt appliances out there, crockpots, tvs, fridge, coffee makers, toasters and the like. I could do with out one if need be. Them creature comforts tho...LoL Showin my greenhorn a lil but and I should worry about learning I know, but I like to plan ahead and at least have some sort of idea what I'm getting my self into!

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.