Swift Flatbedders Based Out Of Columbus, Ohio Terminal?
Topic 21986 | Page 1
The only person I'm aware of on the forum that drives for swifts flatbed division is Chris M. I don't know what terminal he operates from. Roehl, prime and swift are some of the larger companies I can think of that offer flatbed as well as dry van or reefer in case you decide flatbed isn't for you. You also have TMC, Melton, McElroy, Maverick that do strictly flatbed. Based on comment about Columbus terminal, I just want to ensure you terminal location does not matter. Typically you take the truck home with you for hometime and park it at home if you have the space. Other drivers also park it at big box stores (with permission for management of store), or truckstops.
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.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
The main Swift Flatbed terminals are Gary, IN, Greer, SC, and Phoenix, AZ.
I don't think we run out of Columbus.
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.
You don't need to live anywhere near a terminal to get home.
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.
Glenn, Big Scott is right. It makes no difference where a company's headquarters or terminals are located. In 15 years of driving I never once worked for a company with their headquarters or even a terminal in my home state. It makes no difference. They'll let you take the truck home if you're not near a terminal so don't limit your options to companies with nearby locations.
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.
You will 100% be able to get home with Swift's flatbed division. Danielsahn is right, that the flatbed terminals are Greer, Phoenix, Gary, and also Laredo. I live in Alabama, but run out of the Gary, Indiana terminal. Your home terminal doesn't have an impact on when or where you take hometime.
In the east they have what we call "the triangle". Basically it's Laredo, to South Carolina, to northern Indiana, if you draw the corners out on a map. That's not the only areas you'll drive, but those are high freight lanes. I go through Ohio every week running the triangle, so you'll definitely be able to get hometime there without issue.
I would definitely recommend Swift for starting out in flatbed. They've just announced another pay raise and pay scale that goes into effect March 5th, although I don't have details on it yet. I'm gonna try to go over it with someone when I get to Laredo tomorrow. But running the triangle, you get what I feel is a good assortment that has you doing every skill you'll need for flatbed, on a regular basis. You get frame rails from Laredo, that you have to use straps on and tarp, you get Chassis out of South Carolina that you have to chain, and you get coils out of the Indiana/ohio/Kentucky region that you have to chain and tarp.
I'm definitely enjoying it after my first month and wish you the best in whatever you choose! If you. Have any other questions I'll be happy to answer then!
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.
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.
You don't need to live anywhere near a terminal to get home.
Not 100% correct. I am unable to go to flatbed, because of where I live. Glenn H. Will have no problem, since he lives near the main Swift Flatbed lanes. The Gary terminal flatbed fleet leader told me, that getting me home would be a nightmare. When I told him that we were moving back to Michigan, and told him where, he said that wasn't workable either.
So I am finishing out my year here, and then going with a flatbed company that I have already spoken with. They were impressed that I wanted to finish out my commitment. They have a terminal 15 miles from the house we are buying.
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.
Not 100% correct.
Yes it is.
It's not because you don't live near a terminal. It's because you don't live near a major freight lane of theirs. Of course their terminals are always going to be located in major freight lanes. As long as you live in a major freight lane they can get you home. It doesn't have to be near a terminal.
Like I said, I drove for 15 years and never once worked for a company with a terminal in my home state. It didn't make any difference because they had plenty of freight going through where I lived.
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.
Let me concede this - you could come across a company that has a policy stating they won't let drivers take the truck home at all. In that case you would have to live within driving distance of the terminal. But it's highly unlikely that would be the policy for one of the major carriers because they would never be able to recruit enough drivers. In fact, several of the majors actually offer to fly drivers home for home time to increase their recruiting area.
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.
Thanks, Guys. That helps a lot. My other concerns are finding a business where I live (Wooster, Ohio) that will allow me to park the truck in their lot. I live in a nice mobile home community, but they definitely would not allow me to park there! There are four truckstops (2 Loves, a TA, and a Pilot) within 15 miles of Wooster. 1) The safety of the truck or load and two getting home from the truck stop. I doubt they allow personal vehicles to park there for weeks at a time, and I definitely cannot see paying an Uber, taxi, etc.. to and from home. Any suggestions about where to park a semi on hometime are appreciated.
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.
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Are there any Swift flatbedder's who live in Ohio and come out of the Columbus, Ohio terminal? I am researching "trainer" companies that have flatbed divisions such as Roehl, Swift, etc., and that will have me running OTR 48 but able to get back close to home (Wooster, OH) for home time.
Glenn
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.