Let's talk about my first 6 months with SWIFT || Trucker Talk ||

[@drblitz3092]

Been at swift otr for 3 months. I’ve been taking home 550-750 a week regularly. I made more working at my old warehouse job. I really want to quit but I need the experience for my resume for a local trucking job but there’s hardly any good local companies hiring right now. So I either quit trucking or stick it out til summer when busy season starts to find a local trucking job. I don’t blame swift completely because freight is slow for everyone right now but I ask myself if my CDL was a waste of time. I got everything on my own, no restrictions, all the endorsements and here I am just wasting it here

[@KILRtv]

Yeah, that's not great. My take-home, I think, is between 650-700 after taxes. My insurance started this month, so that'll knock it down some. But my pay is at least consistent now, and this is not trucking. I don't regret getting my CDL or working with Swift. It looks like I got in at the right time and got out at the right time. Getting your CDL was not a waste. It'll come in handy when you least suspect it. That's why I'm keeping mine active and haven't quit Swift completely. Maybe things will get better, even if it takes a few years. But I'll be ready if and when it does. It's just rough right now. If you can, keep your foot in the door with Swift until you find something better. Try Crete. A friend of mine left Swift and went to Crete, and he's doing a lot better.

[@markulloa2675]

stick tit out. you'll get a better job but you need that first year behind you. trust me I know, I did it for 26 years and I'm not sticking up for Swift just giving you my experiance

[@fj8623]

Your CDL gives you options and something to fall back on. I haven’t driven professionally in over two decades, but I still renew my unrestricted Class A and all endorsements every time. Just renew the medical. In addition to trucking, I also spent many years driving tour coaches all over the western United States, which in many cases was a nicer job than trucking. The more you know, the more valuable your candidacy. Stick it out for a while more, would be my recommendation. 😊

[@dukegaminent4427]

Keep trucking. Jobs are ass. You may be an independent operator one day. Or even your own Dot numbers. 💪🏽💪🏽💵💵

[@inverted311]

​@markulloa2675 So what are you making now? Is there comparable companies to work for?

[@branden6004]

I am new driver. I worked for SWIFT 6 months. And moved to another company. After one and half months, now I'm back to SWIFT. Definitely not many choice for new driver. I learned about trucking industry and realized SWIFT is not bad company. It's actually good. Communication with driver leader, dispacher and planner is very important I noticed. Good luck for new driver including me.

[@KILRtv]

@branden6004 , Swift isn't horrible, I agree. There are much worse. Sure, I have gripes about them, but that's any company honestly.

[@angelawilliams5724]

@@KILRtvI am going to training in Memphis. They are giving me a chance when other companies would not.

[@KILRtv]

@@angelawilliams5724 , I've heard this from others too.

[@9to5jackson]

I started swift around the time you stared making swift videos and left after two years, I am currently with epes transport making $1300 gross and they keep you moving

[@KILRtv]

Are they out of Greensboro, NC? Is Swift just overstaffed or what? They have too many drivers, won't lay any off, and hope they'll quit?

[@treyfeeley2519]

I work for EPES too!!!! I started on BSH account and loved it. I am doing intermodal to Port of Wilmington. Home daily!

[@treyfeeley2519]

@@KILRtv EPES is out of Greensboro. I think you are right about Swift being overstaffed. Many megas are not hiring much at all!

[@KILRtv]

@@treyfeeley2519 , I'm surprised they haven't just let me go. If they are doing this badly...

[@highoncash]

I'm grossing 1400 to 1800/wk at Swift on a walmart dedicated. I love it

[@stevec8861]

I think your pay suffering otr after 6 months is more about freight recession than the earlier $1000/wk pay promise (which is peanuts, btw), although that certainly was a factor. Swift can't possible enjoy carrying underused capital just sitting idle that much (trucks aren't cheap) if they had an alternative to keep that truck rolling. Seems they would want to keep the company trucks as busy as possible. In any case, you've done what you had to do given the poor pay situation. Wish to the best whether you eventually go back to trucking or not.

[@KILRtv]

I haven't left it completely, but it seems to have left me. We'll see if I can get a load next week.

[@ZZ-topp]

1000 weeks is not enough after taxes your worth more than that, hopefully you gained with that experience.

[@KILRtv]

It's still better than a regular, full-time job - even with insurance and taxes taken out. The problem is that it wasn't consistent.

[@ZZ-topp]

@@KILRtv ok good luck

[@KILRtv]

@@ZZ-topp , my luck is better now that I have a better job with consistent pay.

[@DarrkMane]

They offered you the casual fleet option because they have all those empty trucks just sitting there. It's better for that "asset" to make some money here and there than none at all.

[@KILRtv]

Except they are making nothing. They can't even get me a load.

[@DarrkMane]

@KILRtv The market is just extremely horrible right now. I'm doing a lot of sitting, taking a 34 hour reset with a full clock recently. The only trucks who are moving are the mentor / student trucks because they're more profitable than a solo driver.

[@meilanigumabon907]

My husband and I driver for swift. At first it was ok but now they be giving us loads that is made for a solo driver and most times it’s a dedicated route. Pay really bad and no one can survive with that kind of pay. And we are just a truck number not a person to swift.

[@KILRtv]

Wow, I thought they were moving the Teams with good loads. Apparently, they are moving Mentor/Students instead. Why are they hiring new drivers when existing drivers are sitting? I wonder how much they are paying those drivers. I suspect they are paying them a lot less so that they can increase their profits, while those with better pay are sitting.

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

You SWIFT drivers don't seem to understand you're working for a HUGE company, you not a person you're just a truck number. You need to find yourselves a smaller company.

[@KILRtv]

Perhaps, but those smaller companies are filing for bankruptcy too.

[@fj8623]

Worked for Swift from 1995 to 1998. I came to them with experience. We hauled doubles back then. It was an ok company, but 1997/98 was when Swift began gobbling up smaller carriers. Things became overwhelming and chaotic. I was recruited for an elite fleet, but ended up in a heated disagreement with its stressed out driver manager after one too many broken promises. That lead to a request for a leave of absence and resignation soon after.

[@babydaddy1930]

@@fj8623 I had zero late deliverys in 4.5 years tarped every load. Tried real hard had a great driver leader. He quit and I had two crummy driver leaders in a row they both cost me a boat load of money...and lied and screwed me...I got a better job with more per mile home every weekend, and closer to home terminal...screw Swift and it's office policy's, ego tripping driver leaders and cut throat co workers....

[@pauld9561]

It's logistically impossible for mega-carriers to keep drivers fully involved. They're just too big.

[@KILRtv]

Then why have a casual fleet? Does any other carrier have that? Plus, their communication is horrible. They can't take a few seconds to respond to a simple text? They can't even give me that courtesy. Am I surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Also, I can't find anyone talking about this fleet doing a Google search. It's just odd.

[@popplars964]

if they are giving that guarentee, you're not the only one getting it, all the people coming in behind you are getting it too, so when yours runs out, they still gotta focus on the people who still have it, you got got to be special for 6 months, now its everyone elses turn. i know that doesnt help you but thats how its working.

[@KILRtv]

I know. But it also gives a false sense of security. I was led to believe that making at least $1000 a week was normal, and the guarantee was to help during weeks that were bad. In a way, it's deceptive and misleading. But this industry is full of it. If you know that going in, then you'll be able to adapt easier. Over time, I learned that everything can and will go wrong and not to believe or trust what people in the industry tell me. It's all a grain of salt, and there is a lot of it. Heck, I don't even truck full-time anymore, and I'm STILL dealing with it. At least it's no longer on a daily basis.

[@ramonanzures9780]

My first 6months were good i stayed out 2months at a time getting as much experience as i can and sharpening my skills making about 1450 a week not bad for starting off but then winter started to come and i was making about $600 on a good week so i lasted another 2months til i quit not worth plus the constant pressure of an extra $100 to drive illegally and haul over weight trailers 😂

[@KILRtv]

Sounds like me, except the illegal part. Well, you're definitely not with Swift, because they hammer down on HOS. Who were you with?

[@ramonanzures9780]

@@KILRtv I was with swift out of the phx terminal doing reefer from about April 2022-dec 2022 there were a hand full of times I was offered an extra $100 to Drive off my hos as in stick a piece of paper between where the tablet connects and it won't put you as driving then don't claim it when you do connect as driving

[@KILRtv]

@@ramonanzures9780 , they shouldn't have done that. They are putting you at risk as well as other drivers. If something goes wrong, they wipe their hands of it. I would've reported them. They don't belong in that position.

[@hello520111]

you keep your record clean and be good @ driving for 3 years, apply for walmart. but if you are not a good driver already, you will still get fired even if u are able to get in. good pay is only given to safe and good driver. or u will be around those average truck drivers and accdients. good driver make about 100000 a year gross. good luck.

[@KILRtv]

I've heard the same about Walmart. My mentor actually drove for Walmart and was doing really well.

[@hello520111]

Getting in is intense. Give it a shot. It is both the attitude and skills which they value you. I am already in. Averaging 95000 this year, I am taking home 2700 every two weeks.

[@KILRtv]

@@hello520111 , I'm with Swift on a casual basis but still employed. If I make it to the end of the year, then I would have 3 years. For now, I'm pretty happy with the other job that I have. Things change, and I might go back to OTR trucking in the future.

[@RayRay-vt2ly]

Gdp, is highest ever been, at 5.9, it's not the fright, it's to many driver's

[@AlfredFlores-n7d]

Long as I got enough to buy me an escort every now and then I'm fine food to eat in the escort to eat

[@Boss2164]

Facts

[@tobybeach2162]

You need to come drive for walmart great pay, bonus, great benefits..

[@KILRtv]

@@tobybeach2162 perhaps later

[@brandonbennett7337]

How much experience do you need to drive for Walmart?

[@tobybeach2162]

@@brandonbennett7337 30 months

[@troywatson9588]

I’ll never figure out, why these big carrier companies bend over backwards to get you there. Then don’t care if you leave the next day. The only guarantee at those places is getting stuck in the ass.

[@KILRtv]

I hear you. You'd think they would want to hang on to experienced drivers rather than losing them. I guess their standard business practice is to throw drivers out on the road constantly. With all the accidents, insurance claims, and lawsuits, you'd think Swift would find a better way. Maybe they make more money this way instead of investing in good drivers to encourage them to stay.

[@lynnjudd9036]

It seems not much has changed since my late husband last was a trucker in 2011. All the larger companies especially seem to be a little "mickey mouse."

[@kjisnot]

I'm not a truck driver. But I had to deal with Swift trucks on my daily commute in Denver around I70 and Quebec. They would pull out in front of traffic, turn left from a straight lane, take up two turn lanes, some close calls changing lanes with another vehicle present, etc. My assumption is they were hiring the dumb/inexperienced/cheap drivers and it never got better from what I saw. I never had any opinion on any particular trucking company and didn't care until I had to deal with Swift trucks. Like this guy I suppose if you need to eat and get some hours fine, I doubt it's a long term thing for pro drivers.

[@KILRtv]

Swift is a huge company, so naturally, you'll see more of them. The ones you really want to avoid are FedEx and Amazon Prime. It seems like they are always in a wreck. Then there is Super Ego where drivers are running illegally because they are "fixing" their logs. I've seen more scary stuff from small companies and o/o than Swift. Swift is just easy to pick on that it has become cliché.

[@shaun2318]

⁠@@KILRtvI agree on Amazon and FedEx. I’ve been driving 6 years never had a problem out of swift drivers

[@garysizemore411]

$1,000 a day minimum. Yes I understand you’re a company driver and you got to start somewhere. But get out of Swift now!

[@KILRtv]

I don't see how you could make $1000 a day unless you were an O/O, but then you've got all those expenses. In a sense, I am out of Swift. I'm not OTR anymore, but on a casual part-time fleet. I have to do at least 1 load within a 90 day period, and they can't get me anything every week I try asking. I have a full-time job as a dispatcher at a security company. Better pay, great hours, great people, and they actually care because it is a small company. Swift, and most major carriers, could care less. You're just a driver with a number as far as they are concerned. So, I'm doing good. I'm just disappointed that I can't hop on the road with a load every other week. I've given them many options of what I was willing to do, and I've tried to be flexible.

[@preppertrucker5736]

I’ve been taking a lot of heat with Swift as well over idle time but if you are waiting a day or two for a load and it is hot as blazes out, how can you not run the truck? I mean they don’t have APU or polar APU that can be installed in the truck so I don’t know what they want…… the miles haven’t been there lately either I used to get 2400 to 3000 miles a week and now I’m barely getting 1500 and a lot of live load and unload as well for a 300 mile load. It’s kind of ridiculous. Swift is supposed to be non-forced dispatch as well.

[@KILRtv]

Are you being force dispatched? That mainly happens when I talked to a planner directly. One time a planner did it without my approval, and I had my home terminal remove it. Yeah, the idle time is ridiculous. It's hot out there, and the truck turns into an oven. What I did was opti idled my truck until it got cold inside. Then I'd turn it off and let table fans circulate the air. I'll turn it back on once it gets too hot again. Yeah, those miles suck. One person says they need good drivers, freight is better, and they are trying to convince me to come back. Another tells me just yesterday that there are over a dozen drivers sitting in Texas because freight is really bad. This is why I'm happy with the Casual Fleet. It's a second job and only for extra money if we need it, and they have the loads to give me. (Which happened the past couple of days. I'll be making a video about it next Tuesday.)

[@kenfox22]

Say it. Say it. SAY IT !!!!!!!

[@KILRtv]

"It"

[@1BEAVIS13]

Switch to a LTL carrier.

[@JefferyRiggin]

Getting loads is getting worse And pay is crap lots of unpaid time No shortage of truckers Just shit pay Swiftly swift

[@KILRtv]

I had a feeling. I was told they were getting better, but I took that with a grain of salt.

[@danstafford6536]

It sounds like you want to be singled out and treated as somebody extra special... what's up with you... detention pay goes to the carrier... via the Bol has a performance clause... it reduces the load volume for the carrier... the gravy loads they give to the team drivers.

[@KILRtv]

Singled out? No. I just want a fair opportunity to work and make money like everyone else. But we already know that there is tons of favoritism happening behind the scenes. But I guess they aren't being "singled out", eh? As far as Teams, I already know that. Not worth the headache and hell that comes with it. If you enjoy it, then have fun.

[@DJ-il8iv]

How old were you when you started trucking? Did you complain too much?

[@brianhoppenrath8379]

You look old enough, but if your working at Swift or a company like them, that says it all.

[@KILRtv]

How so? There have been drivers with Swift for years. Just because you slap another name on your truck doesn't make you instantly better. I had more problems with non-Swift drivers than Swift ones during my time on the road.

[@Boss2164]

I make 42k.. OTR make 74k and say they not making enough 😂😢

[@KILRtv]

@Boss2164 , they weren't making that much. You had o/o parking their trucks, because it was no longer worth it.

[@one935935]

Hit me up driver, I'll help you out.

[@shawnshawn1366]

1000 gross or net?

[@KILRtv]

1000 gross, at least.

[@254-g3o]

I got the same promo

[@KILRtv]

Did the good loads begin to stop after 6 months? It did for a friend of mine, and he was on dedicated.

[@254-g3o]

@KILRtv has not yet been thinking of moving to gp. I heard it's good

[@johnwolf1475]

get a year and go local

[@John_R_Jackson_III]

You need 2/3 years to get a good local job, I know because that’s what did

[@ivansalgado35]

Went to swift with Alittle experience under my belt. Same thing happens to me but I only lasted 3 months. Wanted me to go sweep out a trailer 4 miles away and they didn’t want to pay me extra besides the 4 miles lol you can take that off bc I’m not doing it. Left 3 months ago and I’ve made 3times the amount I made at swift within the same timespan

[@KILRtv]

Wow! And if you don't do their bidding, they put you on a "list" for bad loads... so I heard. Let me guess, did they make an empty promise to give you a good load if you swept that trailer and used it as an empty? I'd really be interested to see what happens behind the scenes with these planners. Is it standard procedure to treat drivers like this and take advantage of them? Do they really have a Good and Naughty list for drivers? I mentioned this to my DL in passing, and he neither confirmed nor denied it. That told me all I needed to know. The most he told me was to decide how much my time was worth when it came to assignments. They don't want smart drivers who think for themselves. They want lap dogs that will lick their feet and take whatever scraps are thrown at them. And let's be honest, I don't think Swift is the only one.

[@ivansalgado35]

@@KILRtv well considering it was my last day there(I had already put in my two weeks) I think they did it on purpose. I told them I didn’t even have a broom to sweep the trailer out and they told me it was my responsibility. I just told them why would I go get a 30$ broom from loves on my last day for this company. They just ended up sending me home haha.i was an hour and a half away from home

[@KILRtv]

@@ivansalgado35 , lol. Yeah, that sounds about right.

[@mrwilson7617]

This Guy Trucks also has some concerns.

[@KILRtv]

I watched his latest video about Swift, saying they could help him with that boot fee and then not doing so.

[@24Leonberger]

Sounds like miscommunication, poor Inconsistent pay, unpaid wages, bad experience and false promises. Unfair treatment companies make mistakes and have many loops wholes. Ww need a group of us more than 30+ take action class action lawsuit will fix it.

[@8corymix8]

LTL is where it's at. Not these garbage otr company's. $1000 a week? I make $500 a day in LTL

[@CreekBottom43]

What’s LTL

[@Wasupup]

Let’s not, shouldn’t have gone there in the first place

[@jeffreyparker8703]

What’s a casual fleet?

[@KILRtv]

A fleet of casual drivers. Drivers who, for health or other reasons, only take a load once in a while. Think of it as part-time driving.

[@jeffreyparker8703]

@@KILRtv thanks

[@bigiecheese919]

Swift ignores everyone

[@KILRtv]

It depends on the terminal and the DL. I've talked to some terminals that had a great staff.

[@MrGoochos]

First,lol

[@KILRtv]

Hey, @MrGoochos. I think you made a couple of posts on my latest video, but they were "held" for some reason. I approved them, and now they're gone. I wanted to respond and say, yeah the market is dwindling. I probably am in a bad area, but it's a little late to try to get into a good one. Also, I think you did tell me that my videos helped you out. I'm glad they've been helpful, and thank you for sticking with me on the adventure. If you ever come by the Phoenix terminal, let me know. I'll take a trip out there.

[@MrGoochos]

@@KILRtv Sounds good. Thanks for the reply. I like the new trucking videos you have been doing. I havent watched Bonehead truckers in over a month.

[@bigtime911]

Deliver bread early start early stop off weekends big money boom😊

[@24Leonberger]

Many frustrated 😠

[@24Leonberger]

Class Action Lawsuit under paid and unfair treatment

[@24Leonberger]

False Promises

[@lyndon5478]

In short your disposable

[@KILRtv]

Yep. Just a number

[@BulbBunny]

​@@KILRtvjust with everything else in this system

[@Glen-q5w]

Things are not going to get better till after Pres. Trump is in the White House.

[@owneroplife7005]

💯

[@TrukinSOB]

Yeah he's going to tell the big trucking companies to pay us more!!! Can't wait!!!

[@fj8623]

Not likely. Reagan’s deregulation started the free fall. After eight Reagan years it’s been Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr., Obama, Trump, Biden. Four Republicans and three Dem. But, sure, keep the dream alive that a fifth Republican in Trump v2 gives a hoot. 😅

[@JD-vj4go]

​@@TrukinSOBYou don't really believe that do you?

[@TrukinSOB]

@@JD-vj4go HAAAAAA!!! HELL....F#$@#% NO!!! LMAO 🤣

[@jeremiahbass4418]

How in the hell can people come into the industry with no experience and expect to get top dollar? You bring nothing to the table and expect to be paid as a professional? WTF if you want something for nothin California is the place you gotta be . It's a job not welfare. Just like any job you start at the bottom and based off of your output you get increased in your pay at 6 months you are still costing them more than what you make for them. It takes 2 years for these carriers to break even with you rookies

[@KILRtv]

So, what you are saying is that this dangerous, stressful job deserves crap pay? With everything a driver has to put up with? So, I guess it's fine that you pay them the equivalent of minimum wage, less, or cheat them out of their pay because they are rookies. Fine, dude. You can keep this crappy ass job. I've got better things to do with my time and better places I can work where people treat me right and with respect.

[@jeremiahbass4418]

@@KILRtv when I started driving pay was 21 cents for professional drivers and 11 cent for greenhorn/ rookies making about 28,000 a year after 22 years of experience I am making 52 cent a mile now I am averaging 80,000 a year and I am home every weekend at home. If you are not willing to put in the time and effort trucking is definitely not where you should be. If you thought that some how you were going to have your wages be at a rate equivalent to a professional with a degree. You should of done more research. People need to realize the more you make the higher the cost of living and the higher the cost of living is the more you have to make. Stop having champagne dreams on beer money and start living with in your means.

[@KILRtv]

@@jeremiahbass4418 , lol. I never thought I'd make it rich. But the pay needs to complement the job. Trucking should not pay the same as fast food or worse. This poor pay and treatment is why there is a constant revolving door in this industry. It's why drivers run illegal, make stupid decisions, are unsafe on the road, and only think of themselves. You pay crap, you get crap. That's true of any industry. I'm not saying drivers should make top dollar. What I am saying is that they should be compensated much better than they are now. But, they won't be - and here we are. It'll only get worse.

[@jeremiahbass4418]

@@KILRtv it has been for decades. I quit looking at the money years ago and started researching carriers. I quit working for mega carriers after I got enough experience that I felt comfortable at the job and then I only applied at small outfits. They didn't have the newest equipment and the biggest/best benefits package. I didn't talk to recruiters. I talked to owners. I know for a absolute fact that I could be making over 100,000 a year but I decided for me working for someone that truly knows me and wants me to be successful in order for them to have success is the only way to go. You just got to suck it up put in the time get your experience and get your CDL fully loaded. I mean all endorsements and find a shipper/ receiver that hauls their own product and you will make the higher wages, Sherwin Williams pays over a 100 k, Walmart over a 100k AutoZone over a 100k all have wonderful benefits retirement and home time. I have been working for a small carrier for the last 14 years and I get a new truck every 3 years that I get to order and I have a set schedule and most important to me when I call i talked to the owner, not a dispatcher , receptionist. I don't have to give a truck number or employee number. To me that is worth it to make a little less

[@JesusHernandez-cq7yl]

this guy is a clown

[@bogdanbugy]

Stop making this as if they had something personal with you, this is how it is for all of the drivers, stop being such a big drama queen!!

[@KILRtv]

Oh, shut up. You know damn well how the industry is.

[@jamesguest4741]

If u lose weight you will get better loads.

[@KILRtv]

@@jamesguest4741 , wow. What an amazing revelation. Did you think that up yourself, or did you have AI write it because your brain is the size of a pea?

[@jucio-p3t]

Wow that is mean .

[@KILRtv]

@@jucio-p3t , I've been losing weight since that video, so he can just piss off.

[@STAYACTIVE-u5m]

Bet your mom heard that a lot in High School 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🐷

[@bornfreetraveladventure]

In about 10,000 different ways, working for Swift is a suicide mission to the other side of frozen over hell.

[@KILRtv]

It ain't that bad. There are companies far worse.