About To Finish CDL-A Academy. Swift Accounts With The Best Job Security?

Hi, I have been at Swift's driving academy for the past month and am about to take the exam to get my cdl-a. I am 25 and have no wife or kids. I came to this forum to ask what Swift position/account (that a newbie could get) has the best job security, as it appears that we will go into an economic downturn after midterm elections, and I would rather work less hours/miles than get laid off and draw unemployment. Or is what I am asking for not realistic, and will I get pushed out by a more senior driver in the event of layoffs no matter which account it is? Thanks for your time

Your job is safe as a productive, safe driver with Swift. We've been in an economic downturn for more than a year.

Hi, I have been at Swift's driving academy for the past month and am about to take the exam to get my cdl-a. I am 25 and have no wife or kids. I came to this forum to ask what Swift position/account (that a newbie could get) has the best job security, as it appears that we will go into an economic downturn after midterm elections, and I would rather work less hours/miles than get laid off and draw unemployment. Or is what I am asking for not realistic, and will I get pushed out by a more senior driver in the event of layoffs no matter which account it is? Thanks for your time

Your job is safe as a productive, safe driver with Swift. We've been in an economic downturn for more than a year.

Welcome to TT, and .. we totally agree w/PackRat. Many folks are seeing 'shifts' in this economy.

You are safe at Swift; incredibly. Safer than many smaller places; we know this in fact. As for what accounts? Let those that are hiring you and training you, show you the way. They're not out to waste the money and time put into training you, throwing you to a 'nothing' account; if they even HAVE any.

Answers re: accounts? Read here: All Things Swift; right here on Trucking Truth !

Best wishes; and use all & any study guides (many!) available here;

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: If you'd at least add your state to your profile, helps us help you!

I totally agree with PackRat. This job is unlike any you've experienced before. There is an incredible amount of turnover in this business and it has never had anything to do with the unpredictable swings in our economy. It is completely on your shoulders whether you stay employed as a trucker.

When trucking companies go through "layoffs" they don't cut their revenue producers (drivers). They make the cuts in middle management. Those are the guys who have to worry about economic downturns. Their responsibilities are easily spread out so that the others who stay just end up covering more work from their cubicles.

The keys to job security for a new driver are...

PRODUCTIVITY... put up some good numbers and be service oriented toward your customers.

SAFETY... do your job well without tearing up stuff. You have your equipment and your customer's goods and property to look after. Make sure you take great care of everything.

BE EASY TO WORK WITH... very simply, don't be a PITA. Those three things will preserve your job as a driver.

Interesting fact: Very few new drivers can put all three of those things together. Be the exception and your career will be secured.

Be on time-EARLY

Don't hit anything

Take all loads from dispatch

Don't create cargo claims

Be flexible

Don't get violations or tickets

Don't make it onto the 6 o'clock news

Can you define pita

I totally agree with PackRat. This job is unlike any you've experienced before. There is an incredible amount of turnover in this business and it has never had anything to do with the unpredictable swings in our economy. It is completely on your shoulders whether you stay employed as a trucker.

When trucking companies go through "layoffs" they don't cut their revenue producers (drivers). They make the cuts in middle management. Those are the guys who have to worry about economic downturns. Their responsibilities are easily spread out so that the others who stay just end up covering more work from their cubicles.

The keys to job security for a new driver are...

PRODUCTIVITY... put up some good numbers and be service oriented toward your customers.

SAFETY... do your job well without tearing up stuff. You have your equipment and your customer's goods and property to look after. Make sure you take great care of everything.

BE EASY TO WORK WITH... very simply, don't be a PITA. Those three things will preserve your job as a driver.

Interesting fact: Very few new drivers can put all three of those things together. Be the exception and your career will be secured.

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Can you define pita

I totally agree with PackRat. This job is unlike any you've experienced before. There is an incredible amount of turnover in this business and it has never had anything to do with the unpredictable swings in our economy. It is completely on your shoulders whether you stay employed as a trucker.

When trucking companies go through "layoffs" they don't cut their revenue producers (drivers). They make the cuts in middle management. Those are the guys who have to worry about economic downturns. Their responsibilities are easily spread out so that the others who stay just end up covering more work from their cubicles.

The keys to job security for a new driver are...

PRODUCTIVITY... put up some good numbers and be service oriented toward your customers.

SAFETY... do your job well without tearing up stuff. You have your equipment and your customer's goods and property to look after. Make sure you take great care of everything.

BE EASY TO WORK WITH... very simply, don't be a PITA. Those three things will preserve your job as a driver.

Interesting fact: Very few new drivers can put all three of those things together. Be the exception and your career will be secured.

Not speaking for Old School, but generally speaking, a PITA (pain-in-the-a**) is a driver who can't be relied upon, seems to always be in a jam, constantly complains about little stuff, and refuses loads for reasons that really aren't legitimate reasons.

Which part of Louisiana? I live in the about 30 minutes from Shreveport

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Which part of Louisiana? I live in the about 30 minutes from Shreveport

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

I live near West Monroe