Question:
Just finished my first year, and loved every minute of it. Stress, learning curves, bad weather, butt-hole 4-wheelers, all make the job interesting . My first winter brought a lot of good experience. Lots and lots of snow, ice, wind, torrents, mud, chains and miles. I don't notice the stress untill the days there isn't any. I didn't get many miles till the planners saw that I was going to get the load there. Last few months I've been getting 10.000 +. Got a boss driver mannager; she can be a real bich but is on top of everything, all the time. Gets me home every 3 weeks...I could be home in 2. I'm costco dedicated, heavy haul, NW dedicated. I drive a 4 axle freightliner and pull 4 axles and rocky mountain doubles. The 53 footers pay .33/mi and sets .37/mi. I travel Id, Mt, Wa, Or, Utah, and lately Wy and Co. I work for Swift. Tomorrow I grab a load to Phoenix and drop off my FLD. I'll grab a new truck and head for either Sumner Wa or Salt Lake, where I'll pick up my new Columbia. My truck has 620,000 mi , it's a 2001, and runs good. I hate to give it up.
I've been checking out newby posts and glad to see some intelligent questions. This forum has been a great deal of help to me, lots of good advice. But you have to learn the attitudes and personalities of these older drivers. Sometimes they can be wrong, especially about other companies. I've never worked for another company than Swift, and have nothing to compare it too, but after 1 year with them I have few complaints. No company is perfect. Lots of drivers who work for other companies have told me their pay is comparable to mine. There are no doubt better companies, but Swift is a good starter . I'm not one to jump jobs often (worked in saw mills for 20 yrs.) and I'll probably stay with Swift, but now I can work with anyone I choose. Swift has been real good to me. Got in a jam a couple of times when I wasn't making any money and the fleet manager asked how much I needed. They take good care of the trucks. Permits, payroll, onroad, are all very helpful and considerate. The miles are there if a guy wants them. It's true Swift is a training company and the new drivers are often a pain in the as for the old pros. I got yelled at a few times my first few months out. But all in all, I think it's a good company[/b]

Answer:
Congrats.I have to say it's refreshing to see a positive Swift post for a change,since I'm hoping to break in with them myself.Which bringsme to my questions:
When you first started talking to Swift,how much time elapsed before you were actually on your way to school,or orientation,as the case may be?
Is that work well test a real ball buster?

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I didn't get many miles till the planners saw that I was going to get the load there. Last few months I've been getting 10.000 +.
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That is the secret to success in trucking. Getting the load there safely, every time.
Hard workers that are responsible dedicated drivers will get the miles/pay and other perks.
The ones that are complaining their not getting the miles are the ones sitting in the party row of truck stops, wanting to know: Where's the booze, where's the women, where's the dope.
You'll get a lot more experience under your belt driving in that part of the Country in just one year, than most other drivers will ever get.
You should not job hop, the grass is not always greener on the other side, despite what others drivers say.
A lot can be said with a dispatcher that is knowledgeable and will work with you. That alone is worth a lot.
You'll get new safe equipment to operate, that is worth a lot too.
That area of the Country your running, will make you worth more just in experience alone. I'm not talking just $'s here.
You can take great pride in running those mountains in all kinds of weather and doing it safely. Personal Pride, goals, accomplishments, are worth more than any pay check.
A nice pay check every week can't hurt....

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it's good to see another truck school grad who can do it safely and correctly. Although I would aim a little higher in the pay skill. With the experience you could do much better. But it's good for a first year along with good experience in Heavy haul .

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Ditto. The specific company and job is only part of what separates those who succeed from those who don't. Most of the complaints about Swift and their ilk comes from folks who've never worked for them, are ignorant about how they operate and don't realize only 30% of their drivers do irregular 48-state dweller OTR, and just jump on the bandwagon to bash the big carriers. Thank you for posting some balance to all the misinformation regarding getting started with a large carrier.

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Hmm, most of the negative experiences you hear about come from drivers and trainees who experienced it. Other than that alot of facts do get posted and many are not very positive. But to each their own. Some don't mind working for less because they enjoy their jobs. Others aim a little higher.
Doesn't really matter because this persons experience with heavy loads and mountains will help him move on to higher paying jobs when the times right for him.

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my brother in law drove for swift for two and a half years and said they treated him well. I myself am going to do the ROP course in San Diego, then look at Gordon and if that doesnt work out ill look at swift next. Id prefer to stay west coast so gordon is my first choice.

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How much did you gross last year?

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Probably a heck of a lot more than you did, Chad-O.