Question:
I was back in NY moving some of our stuff back to our barn and sat down with a swift recruiter in north syracuse. He was a retired air force member (just started my retirement, also from USAF) some of the things I liked was the terminal is only 15 miles from where we are building our home, and after 6 months they will get me northeast regional which is what I want. I figure even though they have slow trucks, the speed limits back east are generally slow anyway. Anyone got an opinion, just remember I am using this as a starting point...hopefully get a local job after the experience gets where its gotta be for that

Answer:
If Regional Runs & Close Terminals are your Top Priorities....then, by all means Go-For-It.
I, Personally could care Less Where the terminal is located b/c the carriers I drv for allow drvrs to take the trks home.
And since I'm NOT in the market for a Regional Run....That would Not be Top of MY list.
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What I'm trying to say is.....
If it works for YOU....Go-for-It.
b/c what works for YOU may NOT work for ME.
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I can't tell you what to do simply b/c MY priority list is Different from YOUR priority list.
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*Please do Not take this the wrong way....I'm NOT trying to sound "harsh".

Answer:
(5pgs)Past Posts about SWIFT(click here)

Answer:
Originally posted by Big Dan:
I was back in NY moving some of our stuff back to our barn and sat down with a swift recruiter in north syracuse. He was a retired air force member (just started my retirement, also from USAF) some of the things I liked was the terminal is only 15 miles from where we are building our home, and after 6 months they will get me northeast regional which is what I want. I figure even though they have slow trucks, the speed limits back east are generally slow anyway. Anyone got an opinion, just remember I am using this as a starting point...hopefully get a local job after the experience gets where its gotta be for that
Big Dan,
My son started his career with Swift. I am amazed that he has stayed with them for almost 2 years now. It is the only company he has driven for, but he likes the situation he is in.
A word of caution, company recruiters are the same as military recruiters. They need to get people and some can be a little less than honorable. Use your best judgement, ask plenty of questions, and bounce ideas around here. At least you will have plenty of opinions to help you make a decision.
Remember that trucking is a dynamic business and the only constant is that things change. Be adaptable, but make your own priorities.
Good luck!
************************************************
"Nothing worse could happen to one than to be completely understood."
Carl Gustav Jung

Answer:
BigDan. Its not worth it, plain and simple. To survive over the road without going crazy is not an easy task. There are plenty of driving jobs in cuse. Drive a straight truck if you have to, at least you will be home. You will make more money too. Living on the road costs some bucks. If you think you can survive on pennies a day with all kinds of nifty ideas on how to save money on food and stuff your nuts. I attended orientation at that terminal in syracuse and everything was going dandy. Then I got assigned a truck and swifts true colors came out. They are not all on the same sheet of paper. There are ways to get experience without going otr, Im proof of that. Check out the foodservice companies, you have to unload, but you will make some decent bucks, and it wont get wasted because alot of the foodservice places have you home daily. Swifts northeast regional deal is basically the same as otr, dont let them fool you. Any company that has quallcoms is a no go.

Answer:
I thought that the location of the terminal would be an asset compared to some of the other trainee companies have their terminals in PA (schneider, werner) My thought process is that the closer terminal would mean when the truck is down for maintenance at the termianl I could go home versus sitting in PA at some motel. Funny someone mentioned military recruiters as the swift recruiter was a retired air force recruiter!!! His pitch about pay does not match their printed stats!!! I only thought that the first company I sign with will probly be the place to get my feet wet as several other companies have already shown a lot of interest in me but want me after I get 6-12 months experience. Besides the swift terminal would give me a great place to park the rig after when I'm on down time. Any more input would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

Answer:
"Any company that has quallcoms is a no go."
Im sorry,this is a little narrow minded. Be it your personal preferance,thats fine. However, while being tethered to the truck with the thing,it can also help you.
What if your having a heart attack,and need help,but are unable to speak? What if the company wants to know where you are?Should they call your phone and wake you, or do a location check without even bothering you? What if you need it for a form of legal defense?What about showing what time you arrived and departed a customer,for demurrage?
Yes,the QC can hang you.But it can save you just as much. And if you run legal, having a QC in the truck isnt a hinderance.
Big Dan...
If you choose to go to Swift, thats fine. I was there almost 6 years, and left on my own,because I thought I was getting a better deal... They have alot of regional and local oppertunities, as well as Drop and Hook, versus live loads and unloads. (they do have those,but a low percentage) Swift is as good as any to start with.After you have some time under your belt, what you do is your choice.
Good luck...
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
The most dedicated truck driver, to the single minded pursuit of cheap thrills."Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Originally posted by Big Dan:
I thought that the location of the terminal would be an asset compared to some of the other trainee companies have their terminals in PA (schneider, werner) My thought process is that the closer terminal would mean when the truck is down for maintenance at the termianl I could go home versus sitting in PA at some motel.
Big Dan, generally they want you to remain in close proximity to the terminal when your truck is in for repairs. This is because they want you to be available for dispatch once you are up and running. 15 miles seems too far too me for letting you go during maintenance or a PM, but I don't know what Swift's policy is. Don't bother asking them because they'll probably lie to you anyway. Instead talk to some drivers based out of that terminal about pay, hometime, etc.
Yes, Swift gets a well-deserved bad rap in the industry and here on Trucknet, but they may not be a bad place to start off at. As long as they aren't stealing from you, making you run illegal, leaving you out on the road for months on end, having you pay for their equipment, or leaving you sitting all the time they may not be bad. Just don't stay there too long!
Like I said, go to the terminal or better yet a truckstop near you and talk to some of their drivers. Buy them a cup of coffee and most of them will be glad to give you the scoop on Swift. If things check out OK then give it a go.
http://www.subway.com

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A good reason to live near a terminal is how it might wast less of your time getting to your home time, and getting rolling again when you come back out. Lots of loads move through terminals for you to drop or hook, and there's usually several large customers near a terminal with loads always going in and out.
But to live next to one so you can go home during repairs and PM? I don't know about Swift, but Werner usually doesn't release you for home time unless the repair/pm is going to take a long time -- which it usually doesn't. They want you there ready to jump back in the moment the truck's ready and get available abgain for your next load -- not be at home where you might get...ah....sidetracked.....

Answer:
thanks for the input, I thought that PM's and other maintenance would take hours and that while it was going on I would spend time with the family waiting at home or they could see me at the terminal. I know that as a newbie my options are fairly limited until my experience gets up there so as companies go Swift seems no better or worse then any other company to get that first 6 months-1 year experience. I am also considering schneider and werner as both have a lot of trucks running in our area. I understand home time will be slim the first year, but we are ready for that and the poor pay too, just hoping it will improve with time!!! thanks again!!! Big Dan

Answer:
If you like the Northeast and there are a lot of nice areas, then go for it so that us Western Drivers don't have to haul loads into Boston ,
NYC, Philly, Baltimore, Clevland or anyother crappy over crowded city as much.
Go getum.

Answer:
The above poster had some very good points about Swift.
It should be noted that Swift grew from one (1) flatbed truck in 1967 driven by Jerry Moyes of Phoenix, AZ...he now runs Swift which has over 14000 tractors!
The reason he gives Newbies a chance is that he receives Federal funds for most new hires, especially Veterans, and the under privledged, etc. Swift pushes drivers out the door after about 2 years, except if they want to be a Trainer, Team or buy there own Truck and lease to Swift.
As long as Swift can keep on pushing drivers out the door after a year or two they can keep on getting new students and all the Federal Funds available for each and every student, and the cycle continues...
Looks like Jerry Moyes has surpassed C. L. Werner...last I heard Werner only has about 8000 Tractors.
Watch out....The New York Stock Market based Swift Transportation may GOBBLE Up your company too.
Slow down and Take it easy.

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The more I read about swift...the more I like the company I'm working for..think I'll stick it out a while longer