1. Odin's Rabid Dog

    Odin's Rabid Dog Heavy Load Member

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    May 6, 2018
    NW MT
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    OK, in an attempt at chronological order, my experience at Swift is as follows; (I am waiting to deliver my last load for Swift, in the morning. I managed to tolerate their crap for seven months solo OTR.)

    Recruiter- I have no complaints about my recruiter, Danielle. She gave it to me straight with no pie in the sky BS. Proficient, friendly and professional.

    Swift CDL Academy- no complaints. Once I realized it was a CDL Academy, not Trucking School, I did very well.

    My "mentor"- this guy was bitter, angry, insecure, and taught me barely anything.

    I think I understand the bitterness and anger, now, but I really think it's unethical to do this sort of a money grab at the expense of student drivers.

    He claimed I was his 50th student driver. He also told me that of all his students, only 2 are still driving CMV's.

    My driver manager- snake in the grass. Used car salesman. Never made a mistake (that he'd own) in his life. Etc. Lost all respect and trust for him.

    Load planners- some very good, some very very bad.

    Swift seems to have a concern with their "brand image", which is ironic, given that the company had created it's own crappy brand image by treating drivers like crap.

    OTR with Swift is a good path to poverty.
     
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  3. joesmoothdog

    joesmoothdog Heavy Load Member

    737
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    Aug 5, 2013
    OTR
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    Wow..sounds like my story except I trained at Roadmaster. I also survived 7 months then jumped the fence for greener pastures. Where ya off to? Good luck no matter what.
     
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  4. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    South GA
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    well, finally. An objective post about Swift.
    Not nearly as entertaining as the "Swift Sucks" posts, but well said nevertheless.
     
  5. Odin's Rabid Dog

    Odin's Rabid Dog Heavy Load Member

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    May 6, 2018
    NW MT
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    Good question. Not counting the countless days at truckstops and rest areas, who knows where, waiting to pickup and deliver, I've only been home once since Thanksgiving. I literally could not afford hometime. So I'm going to relax and drink cold beer for a week or two.

    My buddys doing regional (Walmart surge) were netting more than I was grossing.

    My DM stopped sending me nasty grams about my low utilization numbers when I pointed out that I was driving max hours... when I had loads.

    I had multiple paychecks that literally didn't cover the cost of benefits (insurance).

    I just don't understand this whole driver retention problem. (/sarcasm OFF)
     
  6. IluvCATS

    IluvCATS Road Train Member

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    Seattle, WA
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  7. joesmoothdog

    joesmoothdog Heavy Load Member

    737
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    Aug 5, 2013
    OTR
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    If I took off that long I'd never go back. It's why I don't take vacations. LOL! On the second day I start looking for a job while I'm supposed to be relaxing.
     
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  8. Odin's Rabid Dog

    Odin's Rabid Dog Heavy Load Member

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    May 6, 2018
    NW MT
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    I was pretty defensive about people bashing Swift until I realized that Swift created their own mess, or... Swift ####s in their own bed daily with the way they treat their drivers.

    The last straw for me wasn't that I was planned on a load for pickup in the afternoon after a 2 stop load, where I'd have 45 minutes to park after getting loaded or get a 14 hrs violation (in Baltimore).

    Nor was it the last straw when I got to the place (3 hours early) and was told that my loading appointment was actually an hour later than what I had been dispatched for. (See the problem? 45 - 60 = -15 )

    Nor was it the last straw when my manager accused me of abandoning the customer and the load (after I had notified him of the problem, told him "I'm in trouble", asked for help, and waited over a half hour with no where to park my rig, having gotten ejected from the customer site due to space shortage).

    It was the last straw when he wouldn't even allow me to explain. He just yelled and yelled.

    But, I no longer get defensive when I see the Swift bashing. Now, I join in.

    Although I must add, after the last seven months, I'd say Swift drivers have a lot of company in the "####ty driver" box. Werner, Marten, May, Jim Palmer/Stevens... I have seen some doozies.
     
  9. thelushlarry

    thelushlarry Road Train Member

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    Jan 9, 2012
    glasgow ky
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    I was out 12 months once. Told them wife wanted me home. I need to be there for the the birth of our baby. They did not seem to care.
     
  10. Finalsomnia

    Finalsomnia Medium Load Member

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    Apr 8, 2014
    Woodstock, GA
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    I see what you did there.
     
  11. Odin's Rabid Dog

    Odin's Rabid Dog Heavy Load Member

    704
    1,717
    May 6, 2018
    NW MT
    0
    :))
     
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