Diary of a current Swifty

Discussion in 'Swift' started by 1nonly, Feb 15, 2010.

  1. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
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    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
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    I'm baaaa-aaack...........

    I bobtailed to the Denver Coliseum this morning to get a trailer going to Las Vegas (pd miles- 746). The load can deliver anytime up to 1600 on the 31st, so I've certainly got plenty of time.

    While at Denver, I asked for a log book, and was told they only had the new loose leaf logs sheets, with two logs per page. I knew these were coming, but hadn't seen any personally until this morning. The problem I forsee is a lack of space in the remarks section. On a day with a lot of stops, it's going to be hard to fit in all the location flags.
     
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  3. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
    4,900
    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
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    After delivering in Las Vegas, I got a preplan for a load from North Las Vegas (we have a drop yard there) to 3 Costcos in the LA area; Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Cypress (pd miles 293). The schedule was a bit tight, but I accepted the preplan without much thought, and when I realized it was tight, I decided to just stick it out and do the best I could.

    Which obviously was a mistake. Needless to say, I was late for the first stop, which means I'll be late for the next two stops as well. Apparently, I am going to get a service failure for each stop. My DM is looking into it, but I don't know if she can really do anything about it. I can understand one service failure- I was late after all, but 3???!!! I'm not sure what the consequences for that would be. But it's too late to do anything about it now. What's done is done.

    I am preplanned on a load from Oxnard, CA which picks up tonight, going to Neelys, MO (pd miles- 2042).
     
  4. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
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    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
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    Quick update: The second and third stops were rescheduled for tomorrow, but they are keeping me on the preplan to Missouri. They said I could pick it up tomorrow- no problem. As for the service failures, not sure what's going on there. We'll see when the dust settles.
     
    alex94 Thanks this.
  5. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
    867
    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
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    I was in Neosho on a Sunday back in August. Got 8 different style books. Different than what I had been using. Don't have to use white out on the date. Blue lettering on the covers.


    I am set for a while.
     
  6. Rattlebunny

    Rattlebunny Medium Load Member

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    Oct 20, 2009
    Elkton, VA
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    First, good to see you back. :biggrin_25525:

    Second, having dealt with the not enough room situation, here's my solution. Next time you deliver to a box store or get to wally world look for an ultrafine point ball point pen. They take some getting used to, but they will allow you to write much smaller and keep it legible. Also, I used to keep things [looking] neat by using a ruler. In that regard, if you get the pens (papermate I think) that have the long metal stem before the writing point it makes this issue a snap to deal with. {Ultrafine = .05 or smaller}

    Just thought I throw that out there ... not from trucking experience, but at one time I was an aircraft mechanic and the airline I worked for --{COUGH American Eagle COUGH}-- tried to save some money with smaller maintenance logs. Those pens seem to do the trick, and they make a nice carbon copy as well.

    :biggrin_25525:
     
    1nonly Thanks this.
  7. PeterbiltLover

    PeterbiltLover Light Load Member

    159
    24
    May 19, 2010
    Sharptown, Maryland
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    i start my orientation also on wednesday in jonestown (harrisburg). im coming in 7 mos exp...hoping i dont screw my road test up lol seeing as though im use to driving a certain way now and god only knows how picky they are lol. i have a friend of the family who works there been there for 32 years and loves every minute of it. so im thinking im going to enjoy it...plus i plan on buying a pete in a yr or 2 anyways so it dont matter. anybody got any heads ups on the whole road test thing?
     
  8. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
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    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
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  9. jimmiesgirl48

    jimmiesgirl48 Bobtail Member

    11
    3
    Aug 31, 2010
    south hadley, ma
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    My husband has been driving for Swift for 4 months now and to be honest it has not been the best expericence for him. They send him to stops that take hours to unload him and then he gets his butt yelled at for being late to the next stop. Do you have any advice for him?
     
  10. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
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    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
    0
    1. Notify his DM and let them know the situation. Then they should call the customer service rep to notify the other stops he is late. Also maybe light a fire under the consignees butt with detention pay.

    2. Send macro 22 to cover his butt.

    3. Read the preplans carefully and turn down any live unloads.

    4. Communicate and document. CYA! Do it on the Qualcom and phone. People in the office cool down ususally when you talk to them on the phone.
     
  11. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
    4,900
    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
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    Agree with 1 and 2, disagree with 3, sorta agree with 4- I stay off the phone unless I have something that's just too complicated to explain on a QC. But this really depends on your DM's personality.

    Do not be afraid of live loads/unloads. They are not evil.
     
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