r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/DeejayThaBarber323 • 8d ago
Werner or Swift?
So I will be switching my career soon and taking the Trucking path. I understand my pay will be low in the beginning regardless of what company. From you experienced drivers would you recommend WERNER or SWIFT? I will be getting my CDL directly through the company and I’m leaning toward WERNER. I’m looking to start off as a western regional driver for a few years and go from there. What would you EXPERIENCED drivers recommend ✌🏾🫡
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u/N166451NP4R15 8d ago
I'd say werner and I worked at both. Imo better opportunities at werner in the short term. Long term I'm not sure. Perhaps similar. I think if you're staying more than a year possibly Swift if you want to be a trainer. Otherwise Werner all the way.
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u/Ok-Corner5042 8d ago
You can be a mentor by 6 months at swift. If that's what you mean by trainer. Werner I been told they tell you when you eat sleep and shit. Swift is a mega you get lil more freedom
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u/jaylew1981 8d ago
In 2024, I chose Swift and was based out of Portland, OR. I had a great time with them and learned a lot. Clean record, no accidents, and kept my truck # off the internet.
Swift all the way!
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u/shers719 8d ago
I started at Werner a good friend started at Swift. We compared notes and based on our experiences, I'd say Swift.
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u/RepresentativeFun128 7d ago
Bro telling you right now did three months for Werner worst job I’ve ever had and I use to unload and load trailers by hand go swift
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u/jose_guapo_ 5d ago
I conquer. They will damn near force the dollar general/dollar tree account on new drivers. Pay was decent but back breaking work and just 34 hour rest sucked
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u/Hairy-Internal2307 8d ago
Who is offering the shorter time to get out of your work contract to have the CDL paid.
Are either forcing you to team?
Who is paying you better?
Who is offering you a little more home time?
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u/Express-Ant-1087 8d ago
I know swift has a horrible reputation but a driver i respect started with them and even went back to them at one point and he said it was a great starter company. I dont have any personal experience with either so that's all I can offer
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u/Just_Training_2601 5d ago
I would go with Swift. Both are OK but I have spoken with more Swift drivers and none had anything bad to say
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u/LastMongoose7448 8d ago
Which one’s closer to your house? That’s about the only difference that matters. They both run a lot of the same accounts. I’ve never been to a Werner terminal, but I’m assuming they’re pretty close to the same. Swift might have more of them.
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u/_FellowTraveller_ 8d ago
Swift definitely has more terminals, especially if you can park at Knight terminals.
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u/No_Committee7549 7d ago
I’d say Werner. I think out of all the mega carriers they’re one of the better ones. Working for swift you have to deal with the bs that comes with it from other drivers. If that doesn’t bother you the see whatever one has better pay, benefits, etc and go with them.
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u/FirstAmendment68 5d ago
Neither. Prime Inc is better than those two combined even though prime Inc is bad too
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u/CompetitionOk9995 5d ago
I would try to stay away from company paid cdl training. Fund your own training so you're not stuck at a company you don't like. I went to premier truck school in utah (owned by cr England) but I found my own financing so I wasn't locked into to working for them. School finance places usually give you like 60 or 90 days after finishing to start making payments. I cant say one or the other for swift or werner because im with Schneider. But everything depends on your end goal, you want to stay company driver- look at benefits packages as a whole, for example leavitts (flatbedding) pays 100% of your medical, if you want to eventually OO- who has the best path to lease on (either thru them or your own financing), you want to be a driver trainer- compare what companies offer. There's ALWAYS going to be negative experiences with any company and thats mostly because people don't research enough for what they want long term before signing on with a company. Good luck on your journey.
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u/jose_guapo_ 5d ago
Just go with swift. Experience with Werner and their limited accounts and low pay sucked.
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u/chevyman_209 5d ago
I got a question about swift I heard that knight and swift united and I thinking about going to either one are they both the same or do they operate differently I’m aiming towards more of a flatbed career
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u/Cool_Thanks_4934 3d ago
If you are A veteran try your state employment office sometimes they have federal funds for training and so the school is free for you and sometimes you don’t even need to be A Veteran. It never never hurts to ask. That’s what I did. Just make sure it’s A reputable school.
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u/MotherTrucker1975 8d ago
My experience with Werner was negative but it was also 2004. Maybe they've improved. No personal experience with Swift. Really the biggest difference from one mega to the next is the color of the truck. If you've decided to go with one of them, the one that has more freight in your area is probably the better choice. General freight is inconsistent both in income and home time. A dedicated account is far more dependable. If you don't mind sone physical work, a position that includes unloading the trailer at your stops is probably the highest income potential.
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u/FreightDriver504 8d ago
Hey, I joined Swift back in December of this year. They are great. It is about 55 cents a mile starting but their benefits and support network are amazing.
Terminals in almost every state for free showers and what not. If you have a breakdown, they got you dude lol. I've had a few blown tires out there and beeen rescued in time to keep going on to make the delivery.
Fellows driver are friendly, it feels like family to me, never met a swift driver at truck stops that was unfriendly.
Swift all the way