Maybe Swift is bad because of their DRIVERS

sure
wish
I'd
finished
training

 

Student
With
Idiot
For
Trainer

 

Here's one that most won't like but, given all the new tractors and trailers being purchased:

Swell
Work
In a
Fine
Truck

 

I feel the need to interject something here. I had a bad experience with Swift yes, but that is my issue and it isn't per se with the company but with certain individuals, and I am taking the proper legal action regarding this issue. However I am not bashing the company for the actions of a few.
I was with Swift for 13 years, enjoyed most all of the years, and yes I agree they have many drivers that shouldn't be behind the wheel alone, yes rookies make mistakes,hopefully the mistake doesn't cost somebody the ultimate sacrifice.
As for the Oregon driver talking about the truck doing 50-55 down the interstate, we all knw the average truck speed in OR on I5 is about 58-60, most OR truckers are pushing 62-65, and passing all in the construction zones. But you cynically point the finger at the Swift truck, how about mentioning all your log and chip trucks trying to get the extra turn in at 65+.
I will bet my house and everything I own on the fact that most all of you are forgetting the mistakes you made when you were the rookie in your first truck, let the newbies have a chance to learn, maybe even offer them some usefull criticism instead of just putting them down because they chose to drive a truck for Swift.

 

What are you doing putting pea gravel on a flat bed? Methinks your story is missing some elements of truth or you are just making up something to talk about. Common sense says to secure whatever the load is, how can you secure gravel on a flat bed, gravel is like water, it will find its own level with vibration and bumps. You don't say if you are a trucker, but you post a lot on this site, what is the truth about you?

 

I currently work for Swift and want to let everyone know about their trucks and the Qualcomm system because it irritates me every time I come to a hill. The trucks are governed to 62 miles an hour. There are a few that are still at 64 and then there are owner/operators that are 68. Yes they even govern o/o trucks... what a ripoff! Not sure if they are the only company that does, but I know there are plenty that do not.

When going up a hill they have our trucks turned down the wrong way so we lose power when we start going up. We are lucky to not have to go into 4th gear (Eaton Fuller 8 speed transmission). There are plenty of times I have had to go 25 to 30 up a grade. I said to someone one time I'll get out of the way at the rest stop at the top. He told me to not worry about it, that is just the nature of the game.

Going downhill, I have to hit the brakes before I get to 70. The qualcomm will chirp at 70 with excessive overspeed. Then if it stays there for too long it flags our home terminal, and we get in trouble over it for not being safe. It does not matter if the speed is 70 but we will get in trouble for going too fast!

So when we are going slow up a hill, and having to slow down going down, please remember the above. It is not because we want to, but because we have to. I have been driving for six months, and hoping to make it a year with this company before going local. The way it looks right now, I am going to have to find another company to finish up the year behind the wheel, due to disagreements with my Driver Manager.

 

Have you talked with your terminal manager about changing boards?

 

If I change terminals, then I have to turn in my truck as it is property of the terminal. There is about a 3 week wait for a truck, and they are still sending people through orientation knowing they are short on trucks.

 

By 'Changing boards' it means to get a differnt DM/Dispatcher, not going to a different terminal.

 

Unfortunately I am in a small terminal of six DM's who all know each other and such. I am sure the same is true elsewhere but I have been told by multiple people because of my terminal I would be best to switch terminals.