Prime, Swift, Or CRST

I am considering a trucking career. I have been accepted to start with a large carrier in Jan. I am trying to decide between Prime, Swift, or CRST. Also I’m concerned if I can physically do the job. I’m 5 ft , 135 lbs and have no upper body strength. I need honest advice! Thanks! Cindy in Texas

First why only those? I was trained by and drive for CFI. They are head quartered in Joplin, MO. We have terminals in Laredo, Wilmer and Dallas, TX. Also, West Memphis, AR, and Taylor, MI. As far as your size, that won't matter. Can you push a broom, climb 3 steps into the truck, open a door, and turn a crank? If so, you can do this job. Most of my day is spent sitting on my butt. Hope that helps. Have you seen these?

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Paid CDL Training Programs

Thanks for the info. I have been researching lots of companies but I’m feeling overwhelmed with so much information. Also wondering about solo vs team driving.

I am considering a trucking career. I have been accepted to start with a large carrier in Jan. I am trying to decide between Prime, Swift, or CRST. Also I’m concerned if I can physically do the job. I’m 5 ft , 135 lbs and have no upper body strength. I need honest advice! Thanks! Cindy in Texas

Welcome to the forum Cynthia.

Please invest some time reading the links Big Scott replied with. It’s very important to develop a realistic knowledge base with reasonable expectations. The first two links will accomplish that. The High Road Training program will effectively prepare you to pass the CLP exams. Highly recommended!

A bit more information about your choices;

Swift and Prime have similarities; differences in how they train, and optionally a driver can run “team”.

CRST on the other hand is 100% “teaming”. It’s not an option.

Make sure you understand the distinction; you’ll be sharing a truck 24x7 with another person in a space the size of an average walk-in closet. When your teammate is driving, you’ll be sleeping and visa-versus.

A quick note on Swift, I was trained by them and continue driving for them almost 6 years later running Walmart Dedicated Grocery in the NorthEast region. No complaints, no regrets and no plans to seek employment elsewhere.

Good luck!

You said in Texas. If tour using the High Road Training and tour in Texas you wiil have a section thatsnot covered on the CLP its section 14 you will need to study that in addition to the stuff covered in the High Road Training

The major choices you have as an inexperienced driver are:

To team or not to team

What type of freight do I want to haul? (Dry van, reefer , flatbed, etc)

Does the company hire in my area of domicile.

Do they have their own CDL school?

Do they allow pets or riders? (if that's important to you) And that's pretty much it, in a nutshell.

Can they get me home when I require? Be it every weekend, every few weeks, or every few months.

It's really not that complicated. Don't get all caught up on little details. When you're ready to make that leap into trucking, just apply to companies and see what offers you get, then make your choice.

Best of luck and welcome to Trucking Truth.

Thank you . I have been accepted at Swift and have been pleased with the recruiters and feel good about the company. Sometimes I overthink too much but I have peace about them and a good “gut” feeling that this is the choice for me. I should just buckle down and study!!!

Welcome to the forum Cynthia.

Please invest some time reading the links Big Scott replied with. It’s very important to develop a realistic knowledge base with reasonable expectations. The first two links will accomplish that. The High Road Training program will effectively prepare you to pass the CLP exams. Highly recommended!

A bit more information about your choices;

Swift and Prime have similarities; differences in how they train, and optionally a driver can run “team”.

CRST on the other hand is 100% “teaming”. It’s not an option.

Make sure you understand the distinction; you’ll be sharing a truck 24x7 with another person in a space the size of an average walk-in closet. When your teammate is driving, you’ll be sleeping and visa-versus.

A quick note on Swift, I was trained by them and continue driving for them almost 6 years later running Walmart Dedicated Grocery in the NorthEast region. No complaints, no regrets and no plans to seek employment elsewhere.

Good luck!

There is a female driver at CFI who's brand new truck is in the shop getting her seat moved forward. She's 5' 1".

Thanks !

There is a female driver at CFI who's brand new truck is in the shop getting her seat moved forward. She's 5' 1".