Swift New Recruits

I will be taking my CDL soon, and am seriously considering Swift. I like the fact that they have many terminals. I feel that this would be a major convenience and help to avoid truck stops. Do you guys find the terminals accommodating for your 10 or even 34? Do they have free showers and laundry? Gyms? I wouldn't miss the truck stop food, as I plan on preparing food in my truck. If I am one of those lucky guys who get d&h from terminal to terminal, having many terminals seems good. Their Coca Cola account seems good, almost too good to be true. The pay is much more than their pay for other divisions for new grads. Is there a catch? Recruiter said all d&h, regional and home weekly. The routes are from Jurupa Valley to Sacramento, AZ and NV. I would really like Jurupa Valley to AZ, NV. Do any of you know about the Coca Cola accounts? What about the Silver and Gold awards? Any information that you have would be helpful. I am in the Riverside area and also considering Knight and Werner.

Some Schneider operating center terminals have work out facilities, maybe even most of them. I've been banned from using them because I destroy the equipment.

But if you were at a terminal , even if they didn't have a gym, they would still have a Jim.

The Swift terminals do have free showers and free laundry. However, the showers leave a lot to be desired. I use them as a last resort. They are also in the process of upgrading the drivers lounges in the older terminals.

As far as the silver and gold awards, I'm assuming you're talking about the quarterly bonus program. It is paid on the first pay period after the quarter ends. It's really simple honestly. As long as you don't hit anything, and you make your appointments on time, you'll be fine. If you're not going to make an appointment, and it's for a legitimate reason, if you send a Mac 22 notifying the company, you'll be covered. I'm platinum level and I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to maintain that. It's as simple as just doing your job, honestly.

I will say though, some of the dedicated accounts are not eligible for the bonus program. There are way way more accounts than I can name, so I can't tell you which ones are not eligible, but I know there are some.

Chris wrote:

I will say though, some of the dedicated accounts are not eligible for the bonus program. There are way way more accounts than I can name, so I can't tell you which ones are not eligible, but I know there are some.

Walmart Dedicated does receive the quarterly bonus, at least we do at the DC I’m committed to.

I will be taking my CDL soon, and am seriously considering Swift. I like the fact that they have many terminals. I feel that this would be a major convenience and help to avoid truck stops.

Jim, I'm just curious. Why are you so set against truck stops?

I work for Knight. We've got lots of terminals, but I seldom stay at them unless I'm there for maintenance or repairs.

Part of a successful driver's approach to this job is learning to take advantage of strategic parking locations near or at your shippers and receivers. Many drivers don't seem to realize this and unfortunately you'll probably encounter many of them at the terminal driver's lounge. You'll be able to recognize them right away because they won't stop complaining about how badly the company is treating them, and how they can never get the miles their recruiter promised them.

I think you're way premature on trying to figure out where to park. You haven't even learned how to park yet.

I'm not trying to be critical, but it will do you good to focus on what's critical for you now. You are setting up all kinds of ideas in your head that are going to be obliterated once you get out here in the "real world."

Take this career one step at a time. Right now focus all your efforts on the High Road CDL Training Program. That will keep you busy enough to avoid picking up a bunch of these preconceived ideas you're formulating from your frequenting of trucking forums.

You don't have to settle everything in your mind now - in fact it's a common mistake new entrants into this career stumble over. You are going to be learning a ton of things as you work your way through your rookie year. You don't want to have to re-learn everything that you thought you already had figured out. Ease up on some of the information you're taking in and focus on whatever is critical for the immediate time ahead of you. You'll be better off taking this medicine one spoon at a time, as needed.

Some Schneider operating center terminals have work out facilities, maybe even most of them. I've been banned from using them because I destroy the equipment.

But if you were at a terminal , even if they didn't have a gym, they would still have a Jim.

Maybe it's time that you start lifting your tractor and leg pressing your trailer for a workout, lol.

Jim said: "Maybe it's time that you start lifting your tractor and leg pressing your trailer for a workout, lol."

I used to do that, but the company made a policy against it. And I'm not as strong as I used to be, so now I can only lift tankers hauling Helium.

The Swift terminals do have free showers and free laundry. However, the showers leave a lot to be desired. I use them as a last resort. They are also in the process of upgrading the drivers lounges in the older terminals.

As far as the silver and gold awards, I'm assuming you're talking about the quarterly bonus program. It is paid on the first pay period after the quarter ends. It's really simple honestly. As long as you don't hit anything, and you make your appointments on time, you'll be fine. If you're not going to make an appointment, and it's for a legitimate reason, if you send a Mac 22 notifying the company, you'll be covered. I'm platinum level and I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to maintain that. It's as simple as just doing your job, honestly.

I will say though, some of the dedicated accounts are not eligible for the bonus program. There are way way more accounts than I can name, so I can't tell you which ones are not eligible, but I know there are some.

It's the driver ranking bonus. I am sure that it's the same thing. Does each level come in succession for succeeding quarters, exp. 1st quarter bronze, second quarter silver, etc..., or is each level based on performance for that quarter, start out at the top level for really good perfomance? If you reach platinum, and then the next quarter your performance is not quite as good, do you get demoted? I was told that the Coca Cola account doesn't pay bonuses. But, even without the bonuses, the pay is considerably more.

Chris wrote:

I will say though, some of the dedicated accounts are not eligible for the bonus program. There are way way more accounts than I can name, so I can't tell you which ones are not eligible, but I know there are some.

Walmart Dedicated does receive the quarterly bonus, at least we do at the DC I’m committed to.

The Coca Cola account doesn't pay bonuses, but the pay is considerably more.

Jim said: "Maybe it's time that you start lifting your tractor and leg pressing your trailer for a workout, lol."

I used to do that, but the company made a policy against it. And I'm not as strong as I used to be, so now I can only lift tankers hauling Helium.

I guess pull ups using the landing gear is out of the question. I could feel the tires with helium, and it still wouldn't help. I'll just try to mind my manners in the gym.