Why?

Yeah dude you will find that it is like that with the bigger companies. but when you do go to a smaller company they expect you to already know everything so learn from these awful experiences.

 

Sorry to hear your having problems. The first outing can ber a real learning experience, no more mentor to lean on...it all comes at you like you were never taught anything....it gets better...That being said...what kind of trailer are u hooked to? trailer # and what are you suppose to be hooked to for pick up?

 

What is swifts policy on casual drivers could I drive 4 days take off three?

Is is possible?

Have a great holiday

 

My theory-- they throw the new drivers to the wolves and (they) don't really worry about it. Just had a conversation with a 2 week new driver who came from Colorado, said he was slip sliding all over the icy roads.

My first week out, went to get fuel, card did not work so I brought it inside the fuel desk, they said go fuel, put in about $600 worth came back in and boom card no good lol. Called Swift, talked to a nice lady in Phoenix, she said she'd call me back in 10 minutes. An hour goes by I call her back they say she went home an hour ago.

You want to know why Swift is in financial dire straits? It is because it has turned into something similar to a giant government organization. The drivers who generate the billions of dollars in income over there are generally treated like mules. I'm sitting here with a preplan that gets me almost home but can't even find an empty trailer to make the pick up. I asked in the terminal if they can deadhead me to an empty someplace, nope, she said sit and wait. Wait for what? Some driver to bring an empty in? There has to be 100 bobtails here waiting just like I am like vultures for an empty trailer. If they don't find me one soon the load will go to someone else (I guess) or I will take it beyond the pay period next week which means my next check will be for less than 1000 miles.

Does your preplan say No Rolltop doors, or Only Duraplate, Less than 10 Years Old-- something like that? Sometimes you can just show up at the shipper with that, Swift will send another driver later to get it out of there.

 

I have been doing flatbed for 6 years & still have questions bout things,so do not beat yorself up about that..I have never worked for a big company,so I am not qualified to give you advice. YOU can only do so much,and if you have no support with your troubles that you have described,Hell,kick back till Monday & make the best of it,have some f un if you can,& either try again Monday or wait for them to call...At any rate,RELAX for now.........

 

Well, "why?" is the very reason. It's if not the biggest question of life. Nobody really know's why. #### just happens.

Hate to say it but if you didn't learn what you needed to in training "WHY" didn't you ask for more time with a trainer?

Behind almost every question no matter what even if it has a logical explination/answer it can alway's be replaced and followed up by the single worded question of "why".

 

Just hang in there Robert. Like you said it's your 2nd load. Swift is big enough that the right trailer should be available near by. It's gonna take a little time to get the ball rolling and you and your DM to build a relationship. Keep a level calm head no matter how bad it is. You are in a position where you have alot of learning to do. Mistakes are going to happen. Learn from them.

Your DM probably has 100 drivers and it's hard to keep up with them all. You are probably the low end of his totem pole right now. If he has a short fuse, ask for another dispatcher. Dispatchers with an attitude doesn't sit good with any driver.
Be as patient as you can for the moment. Keep us informed and we'll offer any help we can.