Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

When I drove for Swift I never had issues with anything always was re-imbursed for expenses (shower, scales, tolls, hotel, ect) only time I was not reimbursed was for a hand written receipt for a scale I got down at some moving company in San Diego (Swift made it clear "No hand written receipts"). Always got layover pay, detention pay, xpay. I did however not get paid for a trip until a few weeks later (I forgot to turn in the BOL). Did I have to sit once in a while? yes, did I have to spend time looking for an empty? a big yes. Did I have issues with my truck? Yes (mostly manafacture issues). On-road always got me rolling in a reasonable amount of time. Did I refuse loads and get punished? No, I always had reasonable reasons for refusing. Always home when I wanted to be every 19 to 21 days and had 3 to 4 days off. Are there jerks in the office like any other company trucking or otherwise of course. I would have to say that by far I was always treated with respect, by office and shop staff. Would I go back to Swift? Yes.

 

The issue was brought to Swift's attention on numerous occassions by me and the response was, "there is no other place to put it", which I knew better because I had seen the item in different areas of other trucks. I am not trying to be evasive here but as mentioned before, I do not want to give Swift the opportunity to fix the problem now then call me a liar when and if I have to go to the next phase in order to be compensated. And to the two of you that mentioned "pre-trip, post-trip", I did it always...and AFTER the fall from the truck..I was issued a newer truck and the problem was not there...It was just a crappy truck...Power steering went out of it on the way back from AZ.

 

Your experience with Swift sounds alot like mine. In reality, it is similar to the experience of thousands of Swift drivers and drivers for other companies that are ripped apart here. I find it interesting that Grandma Trucker has been back and won't respond to the positive comments about the company. I, too, would return to Swift and have even put them on my list to look at seriously once I am ready to buy a truck and lease on to someone. I have to work somewhere to get current experience before I can move into the owner side. If the company I am going with for that experience does good and their contract looks okay, I will stay there. Otherwise, I will have to find a place that has a good contract.

The most important thing with any company, or job for that matter, is the individual's attitude. I think alot of people go into trucking because of an independent spirit. How else can one survive days and weeks on the road? However, that independent spirit can get them into problems with the company they drive for. You read it on here all the time about them wanting the company to cater to all their demands and wishes rather than the understanding that, as a company driver, one is an EMPLOYEE of the company and YOU are to do what the company and your fleet manager (read supervisor or boss) tell you to do. If most of these folks pulled this kind of attitude at GM, Ford, Walmart or any other job, they would be shown the door. In reality, many of these probably have and that is why they have come to trucking; they couldn't hold down a different job. Trucking companies have the opportunity to make one's life so miserable that the individual leaves and the company is relieved of having to fight an unemployment claim.

I know from personal experience at Swift that attitude does matter. When I had a stinking attitude over something my life was miserable and getting worse with each load. When I change MY attitude things got increasingly better.

 

In your previous post, you said after you fell, you had two serious concussions, and went to the hospital, where you stayed for a while racking up $11k in bills. My question still is "WHAT was 'the problem'?"

 

To me it sounds more like dragon lady has the grounds for a medical malpractice suit if she is continuing to have problems. If she was brought to the hospital by ambulance for two concussions, medical prudence dictates at least xrays and most likely a CAT scan to determine what injuries were present. And Swift could not tell the hospital not to take xrays or do other tests because medical staff are required to take every step necessary in treating a patient.

As for "the problem", if something was that much of a safety issue and shop personnel did not feel it was a problem, the next step would have been to show "the problem" to someone in the safety department and state that the truck could not be operated safely in that condition. If "the problem" existed on other trucks of that class and other drivers got by without getting hurt, Swift can point to those numbers and use that as a reason for not fixing it. If it was something that could cause points loss on a DOT inspection then the truck should not have been driven until it was fixed. Again, safety and compliance would have backed the driver in that case.

 

First and formost I am not anyone you know nor will you ever be graced by my presence. I have 1.5 million safe miles under my belt and I am not at all ashamed of my driving career! In fact I am very proud of my career! It sounds to me as if you still have that old fashioned attitude "Women should be home in the kitchen" I don't think so! As far as my story goes If I had not experienced first hand sub-human treatment from Swift, I would not have a word to say about Swift. I was only on the computer to write what I know for fact, I did not write anything about any other company! In my career I turned down 2 loads. I will give you credit that yes my story is just one story, but I could introduce you to at least 100 more that were treated the same. Ideal employee? Your darn right. I always got the job done! I absolutely respected my DM and had not one problem! I was respected in return! As far as fertilizer? PawPaw you are very quick to judge me, I forgive you because you don't know any better! When you grow up and can come off your porch look me up. I would be more than happy to show you what this Grandma Trucker is made of.

 

Just wait the bomb will drop at any time, so expect it! Your probably having a good time just driving a big truck that no one else on the planet will give you an opportunity to drive.

 

First off grandma, I am not sitting on my porch and I have lots of truck driving friends who are women and I appreciate the work they do for this industry. You, on the other hand, come on here saying you treated as a sub-human and give no facts to support that. You even say your DM respected you; that does not sound sub-human. AND again yours is just one story. you can bring your hundreds but we could bring our thousands who are satisfied with Swift. Problem is, they are too busy driving to come on here and post their positive stories or don't feel the need to. I made the comments I made because you come here saying you were treated sub-human and have failed to back that up with facts and thus appear to be no different than most others who come here and repeat the same old story of how Swift or other companies "screwed" them. Have a nice day.

 

Swift has lost 2 major accounts! And as usual its' not Swifts' fault it is the drivers' fault quote"due to driver service failures" As usual the Big Wheels in the office take No responsibility for their own doings. With Swift everything is always the drivers fault.

 

I have many facts to substantiate my claims in reguards to Swift, the reason I choose not to devulge my story in it's entirety is due to personal and legal reasons. Trust me, when the time is right and things are settled, my story will be told. In as far as being treated sub-human was not with certain interested parties with Swift. At that I am stopping.

How many miles have you driven? Did you work or do you still work for Swift? If your still working for Swift then why do you have time to sit here and post? You sound as if you have made it your lifes' goal to preach to the chior on Swifts' behalf. Good Luck to you! I'm not buying stock in your ideals, when I know first hand differently! I'm very Happy to hear that you respect women in trucking! We are a valuable commodity!