Swift Refrigerated

Jim wrote:

Same here. Recruiters have been known to bend the truth sometimes.

Jim this is the second such statement you’ve made about a recruiter. It’s not necessary. Your compensation is based purely on performance and your ability to grasp what is necessary to Become a Top Performer.

As a rookie driver expect to earn about 45k average and think of it more as a well paid apprenticeship. It will take most of your rookie year to absorb the very steep and often unforgiving learning curve.

Not sure if you read or studied any of the following links:

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

The above is time well invested and far more valuable than whining about recruiters.

As suggested earlier, start a new thread about Swift and I’m sure we can address and answer any question you can think of.

Good luck.

I am not whining about recruiters. I realize that they might not see the same things that those behind the wheel do. That is one of the reasons I am on theses forums, to get drivers' perspective on things. I use much of the drivers' input that I have received to clarify things that recruiters have said. I will have to make some important decisions here soon, and I am gathering up as much information as I can. I have read many of the resources that you listed, and have received some very valuable insights.

How's life in the chilly side Gladhand? Hope they're keeping you busy.

How's life in the chilly side Gladhand? Hope they're keeping you busy.

Going real well. Was slowed down by Memorial day though. Been going all over the country and love it. Running a short load to Moberly, mo and the pick up in Nebraska on a load going to Los Angeles.

This coming check won't be good because the good long load finishes after the pay period. I got to be home by the 12th so I missed out on a good load to New York.

My dm is awesome. Lobbies to the planner for miles for me and will take a load off of me if it has me sit for too long.

That's great to hear! I have a few specific questions for you.

1. How big is the reefer tank on the trailers? Prime had 30 gallon tanks and I was just curious. 2. Do you get reefer fuel whenever you fuel the truck, or can you stop anywhere and ask?

My wife and I may be leaving our dedicated account in favor of reefer because we may be moving out of our account's hiring area.

That's great to hear! I have a few specific questions for you.

1. How big is the reefer tank on the trailers? Prime had 30 gallon tanks and I was just curious. 2. Do you get reefer fuel whenever you fuel the truck, or can you stop anywhere and ask?

My wife and I may be leaving our dedicated account in favor of reefer because we may be moving out of our account's hiring area.

1. The central trailer I have now is 50 and just based on fill ups, I am pretty sure all our reefers are 50 gallons.

2. Always top it off when I fuel and call it in when I am getting close to a delivery that is drop and hook or a place that is notoriously slow.

We don't have a fuel bonus, so don't sweat it if you skip a fuel stop and go to another one. I tend to not stop at stops that are too busy or too small. May depend on your dm too though, I have never had issues with switching fuel stops.

Nice part of reefer is there is less of us than van drivers. Not uncommon to dead head 200 miles + to pick up a load. Ends up making a short load worth it haha. Also all the planners are in West Valley City. So a bit easier to build relationships with them. It definitely is helpful to have a good dm too. Really changed my outlook on Swift. The fact that he knows I want to run and makes sure that I do is very encouraging.

Do you know if when you switch, can you request a DM? Yours sounds pretty great.

Do you know if when you switch, can you request a DM? Yours sounds pretty great.

Not sure about that part, but just so you know I am out of Rochelle, IL terminal. Most the people I talked with on the phone are nice. Haven't met any of them yet though.

That's the terminal we were slated to be out of before we were offered a dedicated run. Our home terminal is Phoenix, but we park at Syracuse for home time.

Hey time does fly! I might be passing you, if I can get empty here in Phoenix.

What's on your summer bucket list?

Not necessarily exciting for some but I want to catch the Rockies in Denver at coors field and go to Suntrust Park in Atlanta. It is a bucket list of mine to visit every MLB ballpark.

Same here! Ball games in new stadiums and eating regional food is what I am looking forward to when I go solo

Well after two months of otr reefer I got offered a position at another company that I just couldn't refuse. It will still be OTR reefer but with a different company. Pay and some company policies at swift is why I decided to make the change. By no means will I bash Swift. They gave me a shot at a new life and taught me how to run. I am thankful for what they have done for me. I am leaving on good terms and making sure not to burn Bridges. My DM doesn't want me to leave, but he understand too. I'll give an update on this in a few months. Don't want to say much after being at the new company for just a little bit.