Swifts new Idle policy - Page 2 - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Lonesome · **^ Top** #11 05.17.2009

Quote:

I took my dog to PetSmart the other day. It was a 80 deg day, one of the workers came up to me demanding I could not leave my dog in the car, with the windows down. "It was against the law"

I was picking up my other dog from grooming.

This employee stood on his head that he would call the police if I left the dog, for any amt of time. I had to take Molly in w/ me.
I was not going to be but a few mins.

Temperatures can reach outrageous highs inside vehicles, we all know this.

For a company to subject a driver to the elements and charge them for maintaining their basic needs is inhumane.

There's a bit of a difference between a human and a dog. Dog's don't sweat, they have a fur coat 24/7, can't just open the door and leave to get a cold one, etc. I probably would have called the cops too.

It sounds like Swift needs to equip the fleet with APU's, which probably won't happen. Hope things work out for you.

Road Dog · **^ Top** #12 05.17.2009

Swift employs a heck of a lot of people. For that reason I would hate to see them go under. However,I drove for Swift for four months,and if ever an outfit deserved to go belly up it is Swift.The only good thing would be the hauling contracts would be awarded to other companies,who would more than likely hire the idled Swift drivers.Then the idled Swift drivers would find out what it is like to drive for a better company.

MO family man · **^ Top** #13 05.17.2009

I think your premise is flawed. You idled for 9.75 hours of a ten hour break? Why did you bother to kill it for the last 15 minutes? Here is a small hint hammer. You may find it possible to doze with the key in the "Off" position at times. Making a small effort to not send company profits for any company up the exhaust stack usually results in company sucess.

IH Scout · **^ Top** #14 05.17.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO family man

I think your premise is flawed. You idled for 9.75 hours of a ten hour break? Why did you bother to kill it for the last 15 minutes? Here is a small hint hammer. You may find it possible to doze with the key in the "Off" position at times. Making a small effort to not send company profits for any company up the exhaust stack usually results in company sucess.

So by what you are saying, if I had idled the entire 10 hours of my break my premise would not be flawed? That makes absolutely no sense at all. FWIW, I was sleeping in Mobile AL and the temps were still in the low 80's and muggy as can be, for example I just finished a 10 hr break in Hope AR enroute to MI and so far have had zero idle on this trip. I only idle if I need it.

Premise flawed,..here is a hint hammer for you MO,..not sending drivers ability to rest in unreasonable temperatures out the window usually results in driver success. BTW,..I will be waiting for you to explain the flawed premise I have,..I bet others will be too.

aladdin sane · **^ Top** #15 05.17.2009

Folks I've gotta find the link again but, I read that Swift is in major danger of going out of business, it sounds to be in part because of several large negligence settlements, some major family strife among other things even relating to the eventual demise of Central Freight Lines. As soon as I refind the link, I will post it here.

doubledragon5 · **^ Top** #16 05.17.2009

Funny when I drove for them, I had the opti idle system, and had no issues sleeping in hot or cold weather.. You just set the temp and the truck comes on when it needs too. People said it was hard to sleep, but like any thing else once you get use to it, it was no big deal. I never had any complaints from them about my idle time.. Problem with some drivers is, they are use to running their truck all of their 10hrs, and have a hard time dealing with change.. But with this economy being so bad, you have to make adjustments in order to keep working. And if you don't like their policy, then go else where, or buy your own truck..

Texas-Nana · **^ Top** #17 05.17.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubledragon5

Funny when I drove for them, I had the opti idle system, and had no issues sleeping in hot or cold weather.. You just set the temp and the truck comes on when it needs too. People said it was hard to sleep, but like any thing else once you get use to it, it was no big deal. I never had any complaints from them about my idle time.. Problem with some drivers is, they are use to running their truck all of their 10hrs, and have a hard time dealing with change.. But with this economy being so bad, you have to make adjustments in order to keep working. And if you don't like their policy, then go else where, or buy your own truck..

dragon, I don't think they have the optis anylonger.

Scout I'm a hormonal woman who has hot flashes and I'm able to sleep in AZ, CA & TX without having the idle on all night. Buy a fan, super cool the cab and then go to sleep.

The idle policy is flawed, the idle policy is absurd, the idle policy is not designed well at all. But the fact is, if your idle time is over 25% you're doing a heck of a lot of idling. We sat in the Mira Loma yard in 100 degrees for a weekend and idled this baby both afternoons and most of the night. Our idle time was 24%. Did we get fussed at? You betcha. However, that was one weekend and most the time our idle time is less than 4%. Including before we ran team so please don't tell me it's all different.

Now, it's a lot easier as team.

Oh, if you go in the Willow's terminal they'll give you fans. Hope it gets better for you

doubledragon5 · **^ Top** #18 05.17.2009

When their idle policy gets real bad, is when they start charging you for fuel.. I have yet to hear from any Swift drivers that they are charged for fuel, like most other companies.. Nana what ever happened to that opti idle anyway?

Texas-Nana · **^ Top** #19 05.17.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubledragon5

When their idle policy gets real bad, is when they start charging you for fuel.. I have yet to hear from any Swift drivers that they are charged for fuel, like most other companies.. Nana what ever happened to that opti idle anyway?

dragon I don't know. I do know almost everywhere we go there's signs saying no idle for more than 15 minutes. Our international has that clean idle so we can idle in CA etc.

I personally think the problem is in communication between those that came up with the theory and those that are living it. It sounds good on paper but if a driver has been sitting due to low freight then his idle % is going to be larger for two reasons. Low miles and extra sitting time to idle.

I can see the reasoning on the company's side but the living with it is horrid at times. So our attitude is we'll do our absolute best because that's what we expect of ourselves and if we have to idle higher..........oh well.........if they fire us then I guess we'll go beg Ron-Mars for jobs and send him to the nut house.

(just joking R-M)

ironpony · **^ Top** #20 05.17.2009

It's a cost issue... idling your engine is expensive in fuel - not so much now, but still it uses a lot more fuel than an APU. Prime has been down on idle percentage forever, but puts APUs on company trucks, and strongly suggests the lease guys shell out for one. Might help if the Swift guys would slow down as well...

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