Some good advice and stories...

[Two-Tone 85]

Hi all,

I am seriously considering getting my CDL and this forum has some very good information and stories to boot.

I see that Swift seems to be the brunt of many jokes which ironically is the company I am thinking of going to work for. It appears to be a good way to get the water from behind my ears and once I earn a few "stripes," I can have a larger choice of career opportunities.

My career of 16+ years folded and headed overseas, I just touched 40 and to meet the needs of the family, some sacrifices will have to be made by all. Don't shed no tears for me, I know I aint the only one. Just laying it out there.

On the bright side, this has been something that has always "popped" up over the years and I always say, "Nah," but that was when I had the job working for the man, so to speak. Now I cannot seem to get a freakin job flippin burgers and my work ethic and overall life experience can beat out most any of the young(er) bucks out there.

My thanks to everyone for the newbie Q & A stickies at the beginning of this forum. That will help me when I talk to the recruiter this coming week and make my final decision.

To close I want to say that despite any negatives, which exist in any career field, it will be what I make it. Your forums have helped me to make a more informed decision

Thanks,
Two-Tone 85

[vwaggs]

Originally Posted by Two-Tone 85

Hi all,

I am seriously considering getting my CDL and this forum has some very good information and stories to boot.

I see that Swift seems to be the brunt of many jokes which ironically is the company I am thinking of going to work for. It appears to be a good way to get the water from behind my ears and once I earn a few "stripes," I can have a larger choice of career opportunities.

My career of 16+ years folded and headed overseas, I just touched 40 and to meet the needs of the family, some sacrifices will have to be made by all. Don't shed no tears for me, I know I aint the only one. Just laying it out there.

On the bright side, this has been something that has always "popped" up over the years and I always say, "Nah," but that was when I had the job working for the man, so to speak. Now I cannot seem to get a freakin job flippin burgers and my work ethic and overall life experience can beat out most any of the young(er) bucks out there.

My thanks to everyone for the newbie Q & A stickies at the beginning of this forum. That will help me when I talk to the recruiter this coming week and make my final decision.

To close I want to say that despite any negatives, which exist in any career field, it will be what I make it. Your forums have helped me to make a more informed decision

Thanks,
Two-Tone 85

I feel so USED and CHEAPENED now!!!

[Two-Tone 85]

I'll still respect you in the morning

[Pitter]

Two Tone,

I'm in pretty much the same boat as you. I haven't decided who I'll be going with but I'm hoping to be able to pick or choose based on my training vs. going to a company school. Regardless, I can tell you that I've spoken to a couple of former Swift drivers, one a 30-year Swift vet who now delivers milk for Maola and one who only went a little while but loved it while he was doing it. The former said he had a about a half million in a 401K through the company and the latter bailed due to getting more family time. Both give the company a thumbs-up but with the usual big-company reservations. The latter guy even said he loved the training period (he now drives for a beer distributor locally). Just thought I would toss this out there but whatever decision you make, good luck. Drop the occasional post and keep us updated.

[Two-Tone 85]

Thanks Pitter,

I figured out what was really bothering me... and that was being "beholdin" to the company for paying my tuition. Sooo, the wife and I decided that, in order to not be obligated for an extended period, I will draw the tuition money from my personal IRA. According to the Swift recruiter, that will be paid back in one lump sum after 6 months of service.

I do have a question to close with.

Swift has terminals all over. The closest one to me is Richmond (3 hours away), which she told me would be my home base or something like that. However, there is place not 5 minutes from me where I see many Swift trucks parked. The recruiter gave it a name but I cannot remember. What is this place for or called?"

[pro1driver]

although i personally DON'T LIKE any of the major carrier's, the best pieces of advice i can give you is, instead of trucking, go to "plumbing school", or "carpentry school", or "HVAC school".......

those trades will PAY MORE and will be a nearly forever lasting career move....with (nearly) no lay-off's or slowdowns.....

ok, however, you wish to drive a truck (god, another one wants to ruin his life, and i gotta save him), so this being said, go with swift, and get-er-done.....

next, above all else, just expect to take some crap here and there while you learn in school and on the road.

next, if driving EAST of the Mississippi, be sure to be in ANY truckstop BEFORE 6:00PM.......or you ain't getting in....

if driving WEST of the Mississippi, then "usually" you can get a parking space anytime........but.......don't hold me to that either.........

more of life's advice in the wonderful world of trucking, in the hours, and days to come........


P.S.

someday you WILL BE DRIVING in the Northeast (my area), like NY, NJ, CT, and the rest of New England......

don't be affraid.........we won't bite you......at least, not at first..............;)