Location Transport

How much can I expect to earn at Swift Transportation as a CDL Class A license driver in my first year?

Hi all! I'm interested in earning my CDL Class A license with Swift Transportation. I want to drive for a living for a while and see my beautiful country here in the USA. As a first year driver, do you think I can easily and realistically pull in at least $40k - $50k (gross pay) in my first year driving? How much can I expect to earn at Swift Transportation as a CDL Class A license driver in my first year? Also, do you think I can see and ride through the 49 contintental states (including Alaska) in my first year driving for them over the road? Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks! - Marty

Public Comments

1. A solo driver with Swift will be lucky to gross $30,000, and you won't see Alaska. You'll spend a lot of time driving at night, so you won't even see a good part of the country you're driving through, and what you do see will be from behind a bug-splattered windshield. You will spend 3-4 weeks at a time away from home, friends and family while living in a company owned truck that will not have all the comforts of home. A truck driver only makes money when the wheels are turning and the truck is hauling a load. You will frequently spend 2-3 days parked in a truck stop parking lot while waiting for your driver manager to come up with a load for you to haul. You don't get paid for sitting still, but your expenses for food and personal needs keep going on. .
2. I have been in the trucking world for 20 plus years and I can tell you that you will not see Alaska with Swift, you will NOT make over 35,000k in your first year. The money you do make will be spent on the road due to you will not know many secrets to save money and you will also be buying things that you will need while on the road. Recruiters for trucking companies are paid a commission for the drivers that complete orientation and will tell you anything to get you to sign on. Most companies will make you sign a one year contract if they train you to drive. if you leave within that first year you will have to pay them back X amount of dollars for your training cost. Illinois has made this practice illegal due to if you can't quit then they shouldn't be able to fire you. If you are trying to figure out how much money you will make take the pay they say you will make and multiply it by 100,000 miles. You may get 150,000 miles but don't count on it with a company that makes you obey the speed limits and hours of service.
3. you will be lucky to make $50K with swift in 3 years they are a training company have limited speed in there trucks and (from what I hear) a problem keeping drivers moving after the first year more setting less pay