Extra Pays

I would hope drivers know what they should be owed regarding "extra" pay (tarping, detention, layover, reimbursements, etc) and rather than ask their DM "if they are going to get it," you would remind them that you expect to receive it as per Swifts policy. Am I in fantasy land thinking this way? Why do the job just to constantly allow them to rip you off? I will see how it goes with writing everything down in a notebook about the run including dates, times, extra's I should earn on that trip (per Swift's policy), reimbursements, etc., and make myself a copy before I include it in trip pak or transflo. I'll communicate to DM on qualcomm upon taking the load that I expect to receive those extras, and then take a pic or video of their qualcomm responses and save them until you receive the pay check and confirm that you received them. That way they will have a harder time saying they didn't state such. Paranoid overkill? Maybe, but don't you expect to get paid for those extras you do?

 

LOL...hope you find time to drive your sled....

 

you are notified by q/c whenever they pay you for the extra. And q/c messages do not go away just because you have deleted them from your screen. Swift has to treat it like email, which the government mandates they retain for years and years. That's why if you have a problem with staff telling you on the phone that you have to take a load because of whatever, just tell them that when they put it on the q/c that you have to take it, the tune they sing suddenly changes.

 

I've found the pay to be extremely accurate.
Good notekeeping will help to double check yor pay
And proper qualcomm use/paperwork work will insure its corrrect to begin with.
I've been payed for b.s. stuff I didn't even ask for.
So no reason to be parinoid

 

Duh...What will it take; 10-15 minutes to do what I stated? It's called being prepared and CYA. I should be able to make up for that 10-15 minutes by not hanging around the truck stops complaining.

 

I have never felt there was any discrepancies {?} on my pay checks. As a matter of fact I think Swift does an outstanding job with payroll. I get my tuition reimbersment money every month, stop pay, detention and anything else I am suppose to get and have never had to ask anyone "where's my loot". So for all you folks thinking about Swift as an employer...I am a witness to the fact that they are not out to cheat you.

 

I never had a problem getting my x-pay when working Company...or Lease, for that matter. There is a special macro....forget the number....you use to get your unload pay. If you don't send in the macro to tell them you unloaded/loaded the trailer, don't expect to magically be paid for it. We're all adults ........... AWRIGHT!!! DON'T SAY IT!!! .......and should be responsible enough to send in a macro for x-pay. That is, if you want it. Swift is not in the business to babysit 17,000 people.

 

You're correct. Swift (as a company) is not out to short you on pay. An absent minded DM however.....

Swift had a policy of $10 per trailer spot (moving empties for a customer). I sent in my spots for 2 trailers.... finally got paid for them 30 days later after about 6 messages back and forth to the DM (Joanna). She kept forgetting to put it in, lost the trailer numbers, forgot the date, etc. It's only $20, but it's cash I earned keeping a customer happy. This type of problem was fairly common. Keep records of your extra pay requests.

If you have a good DM who is on the ball, it's not a problem. But as I've said before, DM's (grease monkeys, DOT bears, heck anyone you deal with) are human. They come with all the warts and blemishes that we humans have. You never know if they are distracted by another driver; the late cable bill; sick grandma; allergy meds they took this morn etc. You wouldn't get a repair done and not check the truck after, would you? Why not make sure the DM did their job right and keep after them till they do?

 

Re pay discrepencies . .

They do happen and I caution all drivers to pay close attention for them. When I find them, I have a very effective method of getting them resolved quickly and fairly. Keep in mind that mistakes can happen both ways and you may not be right every time.

Every company driver has a company email box and address. Every company driver should be getting occasional mail from your DM and, as such, you also have his/her address. I have found that the surest and quickest way to resolve a pay issue is by email with your DM. It creates a permanent record you both can refer back to, It eliminates "he said/she said" phone calls, and you don't have to worry that your words will scroll away on the Qualcomm.

You don't need to be a gifted writer and, in fact, the fewer words you use, the better. Keep it concise and to the point. Always be factual and NEVER be confrontational. If your DM is the conversational type, keep it polite and appropriate. These are business letters.

If you've been around long enough, remember "One Trip, One Envelope"? The same basic rule applies here. One trip, one email. Multiple issues on a single trip should be included in your original email.

A simple format might look something like this:
_________

XB99999

Trip had 3 stops and it looks like I only got paid for 2. Pls check that for me and reply here.

Thx
________

Your email is already name and date stamped, he/she knows who you are and 99% of the information they need to support you, they can get from the trip# already on the screen in front of them. If they need additional information, they'll ask.

A typical reply might look like this:
________

XB99999

Trip had 3 stops INCLUDING final. Remember, stop pay only applies to stops IN ADDITION to final.

Thx
________

or
________

XB99999

Load was coded incorrectly. It's now correct and missing stop should appear on next check.

Sorry!
________

If the issue is layover, detention or breakdown pay, a) keep an accurate time record as it happens and b) include the information in the original email.

The keys to success are to bring it up as soon as you notice it, reply quickly, accurately and honestly when asked and keep the thread open and available until the issue is resolved to your satisfaction. Once you see the money on your check or you're otherwise satisfied with the outcome, then delete it and get on with the next one.


I've heard it a 100 times . . "This company knows when I S(p)it. Why do I have to beg for something they owe me?" I agree with the sentiment but let's be real: Do you want to argue or do you want the money? Keep good records, act quickly, remain calm and you'll get it if they owe it. You may get an education if they don't owe it; then it's up to you to decide what to do with your education.

Finally, because I know it . . this isn't trucker lawyerin', it's fact. In the Land of Maine (It's a State in the NE), all pay (and reimbursements) must be "timely" and that means by the 2nd week after the pay was earned or receipts submitted. If it isn't paid by then, you can request a hearing with the Department of Labor. If you prove that you earned it and they didn't pay or pay it on time, you are entitled to 3 times the disputed amount. It's automatic . . if you win, you win X 3. Many states have similar rules. If you really feel like you're getting screwed, you do have simple recourse and it might be worth your time and a little effort. Stop whining and get moving.

 

My point about making copies of paperwork or documenting qualcomm messages isn't to give the impression that I believe Swift is out to cheat their drivers. If I thought that going in, then I would not be trying to be employed with Swift.. I apologize if that is how it was presented. This goes for dealing with any company, frankly. My attitude is to simply have forms of documentation available if there were any issues or mistakes made. I'm not out to say "hah, gotcha!"; its more of CYA in case there ever were problems. Although I will be a company driver -provided I make it out of the academy and the trainee period without committing mentor murder - I am going in with the attitude that I need to treat the job as if I am running a business. We are in it to make the most money we can for the hours we have to put in, right?