Anyone At Swift Have A Moment?
Topic 17827 | Page 1
Hey Liam, I'm sure some of the many successful Swift drivers here will pipe in. Swift is a great company to start with. They are one of the biggest trucking companies in America, maybe the biggest. They have just about every type of CDL driving job out there. You can get some help on your own here Paid CDL Training Programs, here Trucking Company Reviews and by typing Swift into the search bar at the top of the page. Good luck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Big Scott says:
Swift is a great company to start with.
Scotty, you spelled stay wrong!
Liam, I went through Swift's Academy two years ago, started with them and have no plans to switch companies.
Yes, I believe there's a school at the Richmond t terminal. My feeling is the Nabisco cookie plant just up some may be a distraction. 😆
Drive/Home is the usual 1 week drive, 1 day home, minimum 2 weeks out. They prefer longer drive time, but I did the two week thing. Only thing is you don't get really long runs because you're going home soon.
After 5 months I was offered a shuttle assignment. It's local and you are home every night. Later I moved to a regional dedicated account that got me home for a minimum 34 hour (but usually longer} home every weekend.
In these modern times, meant all companies are using automatic transmissions, but a mentor for me the mentors will be keeping stick shifts. And you will have a two way camera on your dashboard.
You don't really have to worry about your miles. After your initial month or two getting to know "how it's done", and your DM sees you're dependable, you'll get all the miles you want.
Swift doesn't have tankers, they do have some flatbeds. You won't need a double endorsement.
Wait till you get rolling with Swift, they may pay for your hazmat endorsement expenses.
Keep your questions coming!
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
Big Scott says:
Swift is a great company to start with.
Scotty, you spelled stay wrong!
Errol, glad you corrected me. 
I wrote this really great response and then accidentally deleted it. Give me a bit and I'll respond.
1. We get 1 day for every 6 days out, so in a sense I am home 3 days a month because we lose our truck if we take more than 3 days. I know other terminals do 4 days before a truck is taken. The beauty of you living in Richmond is getting home will be way simpler.
2. The possibility of local is higher at some terminals than others. Mine in Albuquerque only has 2 local drivers the other daycabbers do shuttle so for example 2 drivers will drive to Bushland, TX to swap trailers with the Oklahoma city terminal and then drive back to albuquerque.
Don't hesitate to ask for dedicated when you get started. You never know you can get on a local spot quick if they have one, just know it is more difficult sometimes because local guys go backwards more than they go forwards.
3. Yes they all have driver facing cameras unless you buy your own and no we will not debate about it either haha.
4. Most of Swifts trucks are going to automatic. There are manuals left but they are slowly phasing then out.
5. Being that when you start you have much to learn you should expect 1800 week until you establish yourself. It's performance based out here and swift has plenty of miles. The trick with Swift is doing what you have to do to get those miles. Such as taking everything they give you and most importantly developing a good relationship with your driver manager.
Whether you choose swift or not do not have high expectations. Be ready to pay your dues, work hard, and get not so great loads in the beginning.
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.
Driver Manager:
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.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Liam can I ask what school you are attending ? Ive also been considering Swift as its close to home for me too.
Liam can I ask what school you are attending ? Ive also been considering Swift as its close to home for me too.
Liam said he's thinking about the Richmond terminal/school.
Although you do not need to be close to any terminal , I live about 30 minutes away from the Swift Memphis terminal. A lot can be said for being close to a terminal.
I attended the Memphis school, and stayed at home, no hotel. (That also saved $500 from the tuition.)
If the terminal is close by, you always have a place to park for home time. Plus, if there's maintenance issues, you go home to wait instead of having to hang out in the company driver lounge.
You do all your office/training business at the start or end of home time, too.
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.
Liam can I ask what school you are attending ? Ive also been considering Swift as its close to home for me too.
Liam said he's thinking about the Richmond terminal/school.
Although you do not need to be close to any terminal , I live about 30 minutes away from the Swift Memphis terminal. A lot can be said for being close to a terminal.
I attended the Memphis school, and stayed at home, no hotel. (That also saved $500 from the tuition.)
If the terminal is close by, you always have a place to park for home time. Plus, if there's maintenance issues, you go home to wait instead of having to hang out in the company driver lounge.
You do all your office/training business at the start or end of home time, too.
I'm currently attending CDS Tractor Trailer training in woodford VA. Highly recommend it. Teachers are fantastic. I just received my pre-hire from swift. My recruiter was pretty nice though im not sure they read my job application because they were surprised when i mentioned i lived in Richmond next to the terminal. Hearing that made them pretty excited though. They also offered me the highest cents per mile out of all the companies. That being said I'm a bit nervous as i hear nothing but bad talk about swift everywhere i look. Like i get frustration but the displeasure is everywhere and the only place that even remotely mentions anything positive is this site. That being said im trying to get an apprenticeship with fed-ex freight as that is what i ultimately like to do. but if that falls through i think ill just go with Swift
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Liam can I ask what school you are attending ? Ive also been considering Swift as its close to home for me too.
Liam said he's thinking about the Richmond terminal/school.
Although you do not need to be close to any terminal , I live about 30 minutes away from the Swift Memphis terminal. A lot can be said for being close to a terminal.
I attended the Memphis school, and stayed at home, no hotel. (That also saved $500 from the tuition.)
If the terminal is close by, you always have a place to park for home time. Plus, if there's maintenance issues, you go home to wait instead of having to hang out in the company driver lounge.
You do all your office/training business at the start or end of home time, too.
I'm currently attending CDS Tractor Trailer training in woodford VA. Highly recommend it. Teachers are fantastic. I just received my pre-hire from swift. My recruiter was pretty nice though im not sure they read my job application because they were surprised when i mentioned i lived in Richmond next to the terminal. Hearing that made them pretty excited though. They also offered me the highest cents per mile out of all the companies. That being said I'm a bit nervous as i hear nothing but bad talk about swift everywhere i look. Like i get frustration but the displeasure is everywhere and the only place that even remotely mentions anything positive is this site. That being said im trying to get an apprenticeship with fed-ex freight as that is what i ultimately like to do. but if that falls through i think ill just go with Swift
If all that bad talk were true Swift wouldn't have grown the way they have. I have met plenty of fellow Swift drivers that are very happy with Swift. To be honest I think it is more of a people thing. Most if not all the big dry van companies are basically the same. I am enjoying my time at Swift, but I cannot speak for other people or terminals besides mine which is Albuquerque, NM. Get as many prehires as possible that way your options are open!
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.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
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I had a couple of questions for anyone that works at swift. 99% of online reviews about swift are terrible and I just wanted some honest advice. I'm contemplating swift as they have a terminal in Richmond Va. 1. What's the home time like? A recruiter told me new drivers are home every other weekend for 2-3 days and I believe it's 6 out 1 in. 2. Local and dedicated positions. The recruiter also said after 6 months you could switch to a local or dedicated route. I'm very interested in local jobs. 3.Do all trucks have driver facing cameras? 4.does swift still use manual trucks? I heard more companies are switching to automatics. 5. Average amount of miles per week? I'm looking for a company that will give a lot of miles cause I'm planning "running my truck into the ground" in terms of miles. I do know it's performance based. Endorsement-wise I plan on getting hazmat , tanker and double, triple
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."