I started driving for Swift right out of my CDL mill. Right from the get-go, there were signs this was a bad-news outfit. But I didn't know back then what to look for. I thought all trucking companies were the same, as I was just another green driver looking for an honest job. I thought Swift would be an honest job. Man, was I ever wrong. I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life when I went to work for Swift.

Let me highlight some of the things I saw at this company made me turn tail and run after only 3 months:

Orientation
My orientation was in Greer, South Carolina. Naturally, it was crowded. Standing-room only, in fact, which would be a major red flag in my face today.The orientation itself lasted 5 days. I was told by my recruiter before going that I'd be on a training truck at the end of the orientation. It started on a Monday, and by Friday...guess what? No trainer. I had to catch a ride with some other drivers who were in the same boat who had just happened to be going back to my home state. After getting back home, I waited on a trainer for six days and didn't get paid a dime for it. After my trainer arrived at my "home" terminal, I loaded my #### into his rig and sat for three days in the yard waiting on a load. This was another huge red flag, but I ignored it.

Training
My experience at Swift sucked, but I DID get paired with a great trainer. He taught me a lot about how to survive on the road and how to actually save/make money. He had five years in with Swift and badmouthed them daily, but he stayed on. I'm glad he did. My training lasted 4 weeks and I traveled all over the east, and even went to Dallas. Even went up near NYC on a run. After he gave me his blessing, I got off his truck and into my own ride.

Solo
The nightmares with Swift started almost as soon as I got my own rig. This rig was a "newer" model with chrome wheels, and lots of guys who'd been at the company for years were soon ######## about this. Yeah, these guys were like a bunch of third-graders whining that a newbie had gotten a shiny, almost-new rig with the chrome all around. Jesus. These babies whined to the dispatcher and even driver manager there, but I kept my truck. This was a great intro to the typical driver in trucking. I saw this kind a lot in the coming years.

In my first weeks with Swift, I became their "go-to" guy to do the I-95 north runs out of Richmond, Virginia. The insiders there would pat me on the back and give me their fake smiles while in the yard because I was a naive schmuck who'd do this for 'em. It didn't take long to figure out I was getting duped into taking #### others wanted no part of. When I started standing up for myself, the smiles and pats stopped and the "games" began.

I was promised I wouldn't see NYC for six months after starting, but on my third solo trip out of my terminal, I went to downtown Manhattan. It was a royal *************** getting into the dock (the Marriot on 34th), but I made it in and out without any major problems. But I started wondering after this run if maybe I had made a big mistake on my first company and even the driving school. I especially thought this after yanking the load out, a load going to San Fran, and getting a Q-Comm message hours later to drop it in Columbus, Ohio so an owner operator (a pansy who didn't want to go to NYC) could take it on to Cally. Another red flag, but this one I actually paid attention to. I started plotting my escape.

While at Swift, I asked many times for runs going "out west". I finally got one, but as soon as I got to the west, I was put back on a run directly back east. It was as if Swift's western guys didn't want me running out there in "their" territory. I called my dispatcher and asked to go on yet another western run, and he obliged. But on my next dispatch, I was again put on a run going back east. When I got back to the yard, I quit.

Money Issues
The biggest disappointment with Swift was this company played the "map miles" con game. Some weeks I'd get paid only 70% of the miles I turned, especially if those runs were short, say from Richmond to Baltimore. I took a lot of those types of runs, so I got ripped off a lot.

Dispatchers and Managers
These guys were total pricks. Arrogant ********************* whiteboys who didn't mind smiling at a driver in the morning and stealing from him by lunchtime. On top of this, these guys were the biggest racists I had ever run into. These guys will one day be walking down a dark alley and get what they have coming to them in the form of a lead pipe up 'side the head. It will be absolutely no surprise.

I'd say by the time I'd run for Swift three months, I had racked up over 1500 dollars in "map mile" deductions--miles I drove above that for which I got paid and other "rip-offs", such as no reimbursements on lumpers and truck parts/Blue Beacon washes.

Also, I had to unload three loads, and I didn't get paid for that labor.

This particular terminal was a "good ol' boy" terminal whose drivers frequently bribed the dispatchers and manager to keep from going to NYC and/or I-95 north. I'd go in to work on a Saturday afternoon, see several drivers sitting around shooting the bull, and immediately be put on an I-95 N run that had to be delivered yesterday.

Yeah, I got smart quick at Swift. One had to, lest he end up in NYC at least once a week.

Towards the end, I think my dispatcher wished turn me into the terminal's "tire guy". I think I took 5 runs in 7 to and from tire places in my last weeks there. And every one of those tire runs was a "driver assist"--no lumpers around. I didn't get paid for my "assistance", either.

What a company. I'd never work for Swift again. No damn way would I do it.

I appreciate the situation you had with Swift. How long ago was this? What terminal location?(sounds like Memphis) So far I've had the total opposite situation. Orientation lasted a week but not that full. Trained with the trainer for 6 weeks. Had some problems in the beginning like wanting miles driven illegally by the dispatcher, it might have been your dispatcher's brother. A quick call to safety at corporate solved that problem. I just got a newer truck after about 6mo, if freight is slow I usually get local frieght that actually pays VERY well(about 25%more sometimes), and east is our comfort zone. Hometime is like clock work every other weekend, don't even need to send a message that hometime is coming up. Automatic pay on loads, if load is .36 get paid .36, if load is .42 get paid .42. Bonuses are all automatic along with most extra pay(may have to call dm depending on situation). I'm always approved for lumpers if load is driver assist, reimbursed for truck wash and truck parts. Insurance is good and cheap, use it alot. No problems getting additional time for hometime as long as I got a good excuse. I like Swift, I look forward to staying with them for quite a while. Sorry you had a bad time with them but from my end it seems they've improved.

I worked for Swift back in '95 for three months. Actually, I worked for them for FOUR months, as my first month was on a training truck.

I'm glad somebody out there is doing well with these guys. Maybe you're reaping what we ex-drivers have sown. You're doing well now because Swift has FINALLY realized that 100%, 125%, and even 150% turnover is not a good thing. It sounds like the light bulb has come on, and Swift insiders are now saying to themselves "Maybe it's US". This probably explains why Swift is being "good" today.

Yeah, maybe those great "quit days" in the past, such as the day Swift bought out M.S. Carriers back in 2001 and 600 M.S. drivers quit on the spot, are bringing you good things today.

i'll have to let you all know that 2 weeks ago, i came off a truck in Greer, S.C. terminal. They are a bunch of JERKS, the management, the whole thing was ####. They are all out for theirselves and make any new guy feel like nothing. They DO smile in your face and as soon as you have a problem they stab you in the back SO quick, all out for theirselves. I took the problems i had with them to Phoenix and of course they believe those guys there. This place is a MESS and had a TERRIBLE Experience with them.

What is so bad is that i just got out of school not long ago, went straight there. They never went by the book in training, ran us illegal and was teaching me how to fix log books and didn't care. Whatever..They are the worst company. I feel for you man, same thing happened to me there, didn' have a trainer, was left in the yard for a couple of days, 95 degrees. Worst experience. One day all this will catch up with these guys in greer.

Hi,I have been off the road since 1995,still have my class A cdl though. I am looking for a good compnay that treats its drivers with respect,because drivers are the companies bread/butter. Read the post on drivers experience with swift,I was scheduled to go Greer,SC this week but something told me to cancel,until I had better info,can someone advise me if schneider would be any better than swift? Thanks,godbless.

sorry, i dont know a thing about shcheider, but STAY AWAY FROM GREER, SC Terminal at Swift, They dont know a thing about respect, they are a bunch of backstabbers! Very clicky down there and will give you the #### runs and run you illegal and when you go to them about running illegal they say do what you have too. I sat out in that yard man for days waiting on my trainer. I complained about this terminal to Phoenix, but it did NO good, not one bit because they are all in cahoots. I am so disgusted with them. I just got my CDL and wanted a chance to be treated right and be trained right and most importantly wanted a job to take care of my family, not them, not them by far...good luck to you.

BlueKnight, go with Crete or Roehl if you can. Avoid Swift like the bubonic plague. Avoid J.B. Hunt as well. Also, be sure to read the posts here. There is a lot good info that will help you ensure the decisions you'll be making coming up are the best ones you can make.

I see you live in SW Virginia. I, too, am from Virginia. I lived there for nearly 30 years. I'm sure you know about Alliance in Wytheville. I graduated from Alliance in 1995, and every day, yes--even today, I wish the wad of money I dropped there was back in my pocket. You don't have a time machine I can borrow do ya? I spent WAY too much on tuition at Alliance, and I don't even drive anymore. Please tell me you didn't graduate from there.

Good luck, BK.

I just signed onto this forum today,and it looks very interesting.This is my first post.I am an older,retired or should be trucker with a few yrs experience under my belt.Drove for a couple outfits in the early ninties,then bought my own truck,and hauled railroad frieght between Cleveland,OH,and Chicago.got tired of that and leased on with MS Carriers in Memphis. I really liked running with MS,and in 1998 I retired to part time work and sold my truck.This past Feb.,06 I decided I would like to give trucking another try,so I signed on with Swift.Not anything like I expected,according to their orientation.I found that they certainly had a lot of available freight,but much of it was short haul stuff 50 to 100 miles.The driver manager I started out with seemed to feel he owned the company,with phrases like I gotta have drivers that will do this or that or run all night with no sleep.Swift does not seem to worry at all about the upkeep of their equipment.If they worried half as much about their trucks as they do the drivers log books they could be a good company.They evidently must have gotten into trouble with the DOT at some point concerning logs.Trying to get a truck repaired was just about impossible.My opinion of them is this,they like to hire young inexperienced drivers who dont know what its like to work for a good outfit.After about 2 1/2 mos.I was assigned to a young new driver mgr.who I believe honestly tried to work with me.My first DM found out he couldnt control me so he passed me off to someone else.After 4 mos.with them I quit duye to problems at home.I will probably go back on the road in the near future,but it will not be with Swift.I dont like to bad mouth a company,but Swift is not for me.Have been talking to Several companies,would like to find a small outfit with dedicated runs.If not I am sure there is a bigger co.out there that can be trusted.

With all due respect sir...why couldn't he control you...he was your driver manager...it was not your truck...not your fuel...it was your driver managers job to get you miles...to take care of pay issues...and to keep you rolling...despite a common misconception as the name implys a driver's Driver Manager is technically their boss...you answer to them...they answer to their boss...if you didn't want to be controlled you should have stayed an owner op....

as for you TIP....not sure where to start...well hows this "I started driving for Swift right out of my CDL mill." Your words....and perhaps Swift's greatest flaw...you signed with Swift because they were probly one of the only companies that would hire you right out of the mill...you got your experience there...and then went on to bigger and better things...wouldn't you say that is a mutually benificial agrangement..they got you to run some of their freight...you got the experience you needed to get a better job...as far as your mentor bi**hing about the company...have you ever met someone who does not complaine about their job in some capacity? I will agree with you on some of your points...getting paid via airmiles...not cool...on the rest of your points....like "The insiders there would pat me on the back and give me their fake smiles while in the yard because I was a naive schmuck who'd do this for 'em." Cold hard fact of trucking as I am sure you have found out...not all freight is glamorous....but it all needs to be moved...although it does sound like there was some shady things going on...another one of your stereotypes "Dispatchers and Managers
These guys were total pricks. Arrogant ********************* whiteboys who didn't mind smiling at a driver in the morning and stealing from him by lunchtime. On top of this, these guys were the biggest racists I had ever run into. These guys will one day be walking down a dark alley and get what they have coming to them in the form of a lead pipe up 'side the head. It will be absolutely no surprise.".....while I am both white, and a night manager at swift, I think that is about the only part of your comment that is, at least in my case, correct. Not gonna lie...I will work as hard for a driver as a driver is willing to work for me. If I have a guy who is taking those #### runs you speak of I will go to bat for him with the planners and get him some miles...if I have a guy who could care less, and is completely ignorant of what is going on around him...I have 10 other drivers ready willing and able to run their arse off who rightly should and will get my attention, I am not saying I will ignor the driver who is throwing himself a pitty party, but he will not be at the top of my list...if that is the arrogance you speak of...perhaps the problem lies on the other side of the qual comm....to address you money issues....like I said...air miles, not the best way to pay...as for reimbursment...yes at times things fall through the cracks...our payroll dept is not perfect, but show me a company with as many employees who's is....if you were not getting paid for unloads and unload assists, or for your truck washes...take it up with your driver manager...if that doesn't work go above them and go to the fleet manager...make you DM do their job and go to bat for you...that is why they are there...making the mediocre bucks

My falling out with Swift began at orientation with the facillitator.
this guy was amazing. He was a 22 year veteran of the Army who I, and most of the others, found to be adversarial at best, right from the start.
Things started off badly for me when I showed up late on Monday morning. Some of that was my fault, but not much. My recruiter had told me to be in the lobby at 6:15 to catch the shuttle to Swift, scheduled to arrive at 6:30.
Well, I waited... and I waited. No Shuttle. When I asked the front desk clerk about it, he told me that the shuttle ran only on the hour and that the next one would be there at 7:00. I waited more. Finally, the day shift desk clerk who came on duty told me that there was no shuttle scheduled that day. She called, and paid for, a cab to take me to Swift. I learned later, that the shuttle is supplied by the hotel and not by Swift. In order to have a shuttle available we had to let the desk know beforehand. There was indeed a sign on the hotel counter saying that, but it was cleverly disguised as a plant and I didn't see it when I checked in.
Anyway. I arrived a bit after 7:00 and walked into the classroom. The facilitator's first comment to me was "don't even sit down..I may not let you stay in my class". "What time does class start?" I briefly explained what had happened, so he took me and another fellow over to the office to get some initial paperwork done. That was confrontation #1.
Over the course of the day, and the next day, we had continuing problems with folks' cell phones ringing during class. This was a real problem and I understand his becoming upset about. What I didn't understand was his continuing threat to those cell phone abusers, to DQ (disqualify) them from the program. I remember wondering if he really had the authority/power to actually do that. The same threat was issued to those of us who came back a minute or 3 late from breaks. Again, it was a real problem, but I still thought he was overreacting or at least trying to flex his muscles. This guy had a big ego and everything had to be abut him. If it wasn't about his new BMW that was in the shop, it was about how much money he spent on his house, or how wonderful his recent vacation/cruise was. Many of those kind of remarks seemed quite inappropriate to me, particularly since he didn't mind wasting time talking about those things, yet was so infuriated when we would come back a little late from breaks.
On Wed. we were scheduled to be done for the day at 10:30. After that, we would meet our mentors and prepare to hit the road. Well, that didn't happen. We met one mentor, and had a chance to ask him questions, but none of us met OUR mentors. Nor did any of us hit the road. At day's end, about 3:30 or 4:00, only 2 of the 17 of us were coded into the computer. The rest would have to wait until thursday or perhaps Friday. Several of us had to run and clear up last minute paperwork snafus. Had we gotten out of there in the morning as planned, that would have been easy. But as we got out late, that put everything back at least another day for us.
Wed. afternoon, we were given an appraisal form for the class/instructor. Most of us did NOT hear him tell us to put our names on those forms. This in itself seems a bit strange to me. I've prepared appraisals before, but they were always kept anonymous to protect the writers from any retaliation. Well, he handed them back out, made us find ours and put our names on them. Not long after that, he announced to the class, "thanks to all of you who said that I was no help". He was intimating that some of us had not given him straight 5's (highest rating) on some of the items on the appraisals. Needless to say. I was one of those folks. He then said, "as a matter of fact, you can check out of that motel" There were only two of us in the motel and he looked directly at me when he said that. There was no mistaking his meaning or his attitude.
Later, when he was talking about probation periods and the like, he stated that he and the student's driver manager "saw eye to eye" and that "if someone was not working out, or if they didn't like them, they would not be retained following time out with the mentor". Again, he looked (rather he glared) directly at me. I took that as the handwriting on the wall.
As this guy is also the safety coordinator for that terminal, he is someone who I would come in contact with on a regular basis. I had the distinct impression that if I needed help from him at some time, that help would NOT be forthcoming. That's when I decided that continuing my career with Swift would be fruitless, and that I was not going to follow through on submitting that last bit of paperwork to the "pusher around of paperwork" girl. And she was a piece of work herself! When she came in to meet us and finish up details on Monday, her first words to the class were, "don't mess with me". "don't give me a hard time". I remember classmates looking at each other and going "Huh?" We had no idea why she had this attitude with us. One or two of the others, had less than pleasant conversations with her later.
Here are some other observations. In a class of 17, one was
Afro American (as was the instructor) one (me) was Anglo and the rest, which included one girl who I was in school with, were all Hispanic.
Now, this is not a problem with me, but it appeared to me the the instructor might have had a problem with the Hispanics, and maybe with me. Some of the Hispanics spoke literally little or no English. Friends had to translate for them for the entire 3 days. The instructor had no problems belittling, in my opinion, those non English speakers. He never did learn many of our names and would bellow to us from his office when he wanted us, by spelling the first few letters of our names. He alienated and disrespected us, yet had the nerve to be offended when some of us didn't give him a "walks on water" appraisal. I believe that he has some serious problems which need to be addressed. If I had been a little madder, I would have filed an EEO complaint, but I realized that it would probably do no good. This guy seems well entrenched in, and liked by the staff at the terminal. It's damned hard to fight that kind of solidarity.

Today, I'm putting in applications for any local driving positions I can find, as well as applying for jobs in my former field. Money is getting low now, and I can't afford to do another orientation with another trucking company and still have any funds left to use on the road for meals and necessities, or to pay the bills that are coming in again.
All in all, Swift left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. My opinion is that Swift is indeed a big, unfeeling company and that they do indeed, see us as but numbers. Some of their folks seem to be very smug and seem to forget that people need to treated with respect.

Too bad for Swift and too bad for us.