The start of my first year with Swift.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sheriff1/6, Jan 1, 2013.

  1. 1itchaway

    1itchaway Bobtail Member

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    Jan 15, 2013
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    So are you saying that there is a difference in pay between loaded and deadhead miles
     
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  3. Long Haul 79

    Long Haul 79 Light Load Member

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    Jan 16, 2013
    Phoenix,AZ
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    Not normally, but there was a lot of times, lets say someone planned you a trip going from Riverside to a place 50 miles away, but you need an empty trailer to go to that warehouse with. The lot you are at doesn't have an empty, so the DM finds an empty 15 miles from the yard so you go get it. You tell the DM you got the load but after traveling the 15 miles to go get that trailer that moved you closer to the destination, a lot of DMs would cut that miles off the trip being you have an empty now and preplan on the truck when didn't have one when you left the yard.
     
  4. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Boise, ID
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    So here I sit. The day has started of with a real bang and I got hit with a preventable crash.

    In the directions to my first stop it said to go to a certain St. and look left and I would see the business. Well you can't see the business from the street. Qualcomm took me to the next roundabout. This is the third roundabout in a short distance. The problem is it takes you 360 degrees around the roundabout and back to the street I was just at. Like a fool I followed the qualcomm to the third roundabout. This one wasn't built for truck traffic. No way around it but to drive over very high curb. Bent rim and deflated tire. Made my 1st stop on time but now waiting for onroad because no one would come out before 7am. This gives me 8 points on the Swift in house safety score and keeps me from being a Platinum driver, for what that's worth. I guess if I don't know what the rankings mean, I can't be upset by what it costs me. The receiving manager at my first stop said that everyone that's never been there before gets routed through the third roundabout. They've had the city re-work the roundabout five times, but it still isn't designed for trucks. While I"m not happy with myself for bending the rim, I can only chalk it up to the cost of doing business and learn from my mistake. New folks, take heed and if it doesn't seem right it probably isn't.
     
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  5. nate980

    nate980 Road Train Member

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    Langley BC
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    How can you get in trouble if its there own GPS that put you in that roundabout..
     
  6. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Because I should have been smart enough to figure out the roundabout could not handle the truck. I should have turned one roundabout back and not been where I was no matter what the qualcomm said. I've sent in a note for the directions to this stop and hope the next new guy doesn't make the same mistake. I'm sure there are others who've made it through without damaging a rim, I'm just not one of them. All I can say is I did it and have to take what comes.
     
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  7. Newtrucker83

    Newtrucker83 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 15, 2012
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    You are now stuck with Swift til that preventable falls off your record.
     
  8. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    It's funny how that works. It's not DOT reportable and only Swift cares about it. I won't get any CSA points, but now it hurts me for other employment. ####, perhaps I should be a criminal, it's a lot easier to get things off your record then.
     
  9. Newtrucker83

    Newtrucker83 Medium Load Member

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    Yep thats exactly how it works. No other company will hire you now. Smh a buddy if mine has one of those with Swift and is stuck. Literally stuck.
     
  10. Mrh2008

    Mrh2008 Road Train Member

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    Mesa, AZ
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    I can't remember you going further east than colorado. What's up with that? Do you only run west, or all 49? I'm set for the western zone, but I'll run east for a load or 5 if the miles are right.
     
  11. Florida Playboy

    Florida Playboy Road Train Member

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    Dec 19, 2012
    Florida
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    No bottom feeder might hire him but you know there are small comapnies out there that don't use DAC.
     
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