Swift Southeast Regional and how many miles to expect

That depends entirely on the receiver. The big 24/7 DCs (Distribution Centers) where we have a drop and hook don't care when the load gets there, as long as it's in the yard when they want it. If you have an appointment time for a live unload, you're probably going to unload at the appointment time.

I always ask if I can do a live unload early. Some places have a standby list, where they take people early if a scheduled unload doesn't show up on time. Worst case is I get some shuteye near the facility.

As for how long it takes to be unloaded, that also depends on the load and who's unloading it. Two pallets and a forklift will be empty before you get the paperwork done. A 3,000 piece hand unload? Nap time.

 

That is a good question. Unfortunately you will never get the answer from Swift. If you do chances are it will be BS or just a flat lie. It is another good reason to not deal with Swift.

In fact they have institutionalized lying to the driver. Let me explain, so you understand why Swift is so bad. All loads contracted from a customer have delivery requirements laid out in the contract. Of importance to the driver are delivery times and means of loading or unloading. Some loads are by exact appointment by the minute some have a delivery window days wide. Some are live loads and others are drop the trailer. Now Swift has all this information and could provide it to the driver, but they don't. And when they do chances are it is wrong. Some loads cannot be there early others would be glad to take you early; you just don't know unless you know the customer. Even then you cannot count on the same customer requirements for each load. Some customers will even complain if a load is early and subject you to service failure. Like I said this is information Swift is aware of but often obscures in order to micromanage the driver.

A example of this is Swift's "plus 1" or "targeting." These are names Swift's middle management has given to one type of lying to drivers. "Plus 1" is a system of institutionalized lying where every trip is given to the driver is planned without any stops at a straight 60mph. That is 60mph average with no times for loading, pre-trip, fuel, scale, ect. A example will be you get a load that picks up at 7:00 and delivers at 17:00 600 Swift miles away. (600 paid Swift miles = about 660 real miles; yet another Swift lie.) In all cases that load is impossible to due in a 62mph Swift truck. In reality that load is probably a live unload at 4:00 the next day or even the day after! But, Swift will not tell you that. Even if you do wast time and call up and try to get the true details on the load there is good chance you will be lied to.

So why do they do that? The reason is elogs. Once Swift went to elogs productivity (miles per truck/driver) dropped so bad something had to be done. Now prior to elogs productivity was not good; drivers were averaging around 1700 miles a week. But when Swift drivers could not write phony paper average miles dropped even more. It was obvious Swift planners were responsible for the late loads and log problems. To hide that responsibility a scheme was developed to provide a excuse for the service failures the planners were getting. If the planners can get a driver to commit to a load and not deliver to that commitment, impossible or not, the service failure can be placed on the driver not the planner.

This whole philosophy of blame the driver permeates Swift. That is why Swift has 100% turnover. That is why they have recruiters. That is why they are always hiring. That philosophy is echoed by MsJamie. By disparaging other drivers some Swift's apologists feel they are superior while working for a dishonest organization like Swift.

 

Yo my dude. If u interested in haulin' for SWIFT. U wanna make descent money? I would go for the Intermodal or Flatbed. I talked to several drivers from both divisions and they happy. That southeast regional, not worth it. Just like the other guys are saying.

 

Most of the lying is done by people on the boards who have no clue what they are talking about. Take, for example, the "fact" that Swift drivers only get 1500 miles per week. My statement for tomorrow's paycheck, which is pretty close to average for me, has 2,585 paid miles on it for that week. I have no idea why people like to bash on other companies. Perhaps doing so is how they stroke their e-peen. Maybe they feel bitter because they flunked out of Swift Academy. My personal pet theory is that they are jealous CR England drivers... Some people simply feel the need to put others down in a vain attempt at raising their self esteem.

The problem industry wide is not E-logs. The problem is that there are a bunch of idiot desk drivers who think that a truck driver doesn't know when he's tired, so they mandate "rest periods". The problem with this is that with the driving hours limited, drivers now have to keep driving to make the delivery time, when it would be a LOT safer to allow them to pull over for a couple hours and take a nap, and continue a bit later.

That said, people blame E-logs for the forced compliance. I have an E-logging program on my phone, and I can make it say whatever I want, just like a paper log. The blame should be put on the Electronic On Board Recorder, or EOBR. That's the thing that forces drive time to be logged.

 

Just like you, I'm a recent grad of driving school and I have been doing some research. Right now I am talking with Schneider and they seem to be a good company to start with. The starting cpm for new drivers is .30 for the first 60-90 days then an increase to 32. 90 days later to 35. After a year to .39. I have been reading a lot in this forum and there is a lot of good info. Everybody says the same thing about loads. At first take what they give you and prove to them that you are here to work and not to complain. Like everything, we will have ups and downs, but I'm sure we can work them out.

Good luck, and maybe I'll see you in the same area as this is the area I'm supposed to work in.

 

It is the same job no matter who you drive for, just each company has its own rules. Freight is going to be slow at times and busy at times. One has to start somewhere, swift isn't all that bad. I drove for them for two years. I am currently waiting to see if they will rehire me being I have been out of a truck for a year now and it is kind of slim pickings. I decided to give college a try, not for me. Main thing is you have to put forth the effort to show that you are a good driver and are not lazy. The ones usually griping and complaining are the ones that are lazy and like to sit around but won't tell you that. Sometimes you have to take the small crappy loads to get a better one. A lot of people complain about and make fun of the big carriers, reality is they really are not that bad most of them. Every one of them has drivers that have been there for many years and are happy. Yes, pay is low when you first start but you do move up if you stick with it. A lot of people can't make it because of the life style they live at home, they gotta have big houses and multiple vehicles and stuff. Live within your means and dnt go overboard and you will be fine. I live a very simple life myself, rather not stress over material things. Of course I do get my VA pension/compensation too that helps and can still work. I started out .25 cpm and stuck it out, it sucks, but I ran my butt off and didn't wine and complain. Good luck to you and any other newbies out there reading these posts.

 

So much misstating of the facts I really do not even know where to begin so just let you think that you know everything.

 

It boils down to to this, OTR trucking company is like being married. You have to find one who's baggage you can put up with.