Diary of a current Swifty

I gotta agree with you. We've gotten a few "after the fact" messages, e.g., found out we had a JIT load the day after we picked it up. Also got a couple of preplans that were impossible based on available hours. Yeah, it's Swift planners not paying attention.

We just arrived at a shipper, then got a message that we should have been here 5 hours earlier......our "window" was not even open 5 hours ago!

It's actually comical to wait to see what will happen next....

Still loving it though!

All jobs have aggravations. If this is as aggravating as it gets, even if it gets worse....so what. I've had several jobs where the aggravations were much worse and the job satisfaction was much less.

Headed for Wilkes-Barre as soon as we get loaded here in Bolingbrook. I'm looking forward to getting out of CST!

 

And here I just left Memphis.... Actually West Memphis!

My sunglasses are a permanent fixture on my face.

 

How does it work getting on flatbeddin as a newbie, my dad hauled flat bed for like 22 years Id like to flatbed but I dunno who im supposed to talk to about it

 

According to my DM the planners are not giving enough details on the preplans. I had a last minute load assignment given to me on Friday. No mention of needing a TWIC card. Or mentioning about needing a safety vest. $50 for an "escort" and $10 for a vest. When I got inside the gate it was a frikken joke! This was at the Port of Philadelphia.

Croc of doodie! I got into an arguement on the Qualcom and told them to pull it off me.

I hate the East Coast.

 

I sent the receipt for the vest. Swift does know who has the TWIC card. Evidently you can buy your way out of it at some places.

You would think when they would keep track of your hours from your Mac10. I always get long runs offered to me when I have 45minutes on my 70 It seems the planners just throw anything they can out there in hopes of someone taking it.

 

Planners don't have time to verify HOS to each driver for each load...it is up to the driver to verify he/she has the needed available hours to do the load BEFORE accepting the preplan..which is why the accept/decline option is put in there.

As a driver you need to learn to do a quick inspection/verify/plan when you look at a preplan:
1. Can you P/U load on time; hours available to get to shipper in scheduled time frame.
2. Can you deliv on time; do you have the required hours available to deliv on schedule.
3. If you can P/U on time, but not enough hours to deliv; send your DM a quick message (directed message) that you can P/U but can't deliver, can he/she arrange a transfer in route at another terminal or with another truck...good way to score some points with DM and planners.
4. Do yourself a favor by getting to know some planners in the areas you run. Go into the terminals (after regular daytime hours) and introduce yourself, sell yourself as a "runner", and get the planners message code if you can. this could save some aggravation and reduce waiting time between loads.
5. For those running the Columbus, OH terminal zone...the Sears Dedicated planner (daytime hours) is the BEST FRIEND you could have in your pocket...he is always needing some help.
6. The night planner in Edwardsville, KS is great to get around the Memphis planner.
7. BE PROACTIVE IN YOUR JOB AS A DRIVER...NOT REACTIVE AS A WAITER FOR PLANS!

 

I just got a preplan to load at 10am today. It delivers tomorrow to Walmart in GA. My PTA was set for 0600 tomorrow! I messaged my DM to see if it is drop and hook. And let them know I can't make the PU. Got the PP # 17:30