Back at Swift

Discussion in 'Swift' started by gladiator, Apr 22, 2010.

  1. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

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    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
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    Thought I would start a thread for drivers who at one time were with Swift left but came back.

    As for myself I left in March, after 3 yrs, over a time at home dispute. I stayed out between 18-21 days which got me three days home. I had delivered on a Wed. got home 1600. Set PTA for 0800 on Sun. As I pulled into my driveway got msg on q/com
    from my DM. Who up untill that point had never had any problems with. Anyway on with the story. Msg read need to reset PTA can't be home that long, only allowed three days. Well the q/com hit the floor, to make room for my cell phone. Went something like this
    HI..*** this is trk ######## is there a problem?
    Yea can't take that much hometime.
    I'm only takin 3 days. I worked today should'nt count, coming off Sun should'nt
    count.
    No you only get 72 hrs from the time you get home. You can't keep taking
    excessive hometime.
    I'm not. Today as well as sunday should'nt count.
    It's always been 24 hrs for every week out. Thats the policy.
    Not according to the letter I got..Mine said 1 day for every six days out not 24 hrs.
    and thats all I'm taking
    Well we need to reset you PTA.
    No..how about I drive my trk to the teminal Friday and turn it in..goodbye.


    Well as I started to clean out the trk q/com beeped. My PTA was set for 2359 on Saturday. Wow could policy change that quick.. At that point I was so hot under the collar it no longer mattered. There's 100 just like this one..WRONG, Because of where I live,, (middle of MIchigan) a large % of those 100 companies ethier aren't hiring out of Michigan or I live too far north into Michigan...I'm north of Lansing. So up untill the point where I quit I had never had a problem too big to handle..That one just rubbed me the wrong way at the wrong time.
    All in all Swift is a solid company, just wish they would'nt have made the cuts they did in certian areas. But thats just me.
    So for what it's worth there's my story.. Probably gonna call next week, sad part #2 gave up a 2010 Freightliner, More that lilely wind up with a Volvo 670 or worse. But guess it's my fault.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2010
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  3. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

    3,130
    4,900
    Jul 2, 2008
    The burning sands of the SW
    0
    My 2 cents: never quit when you're mad.
     
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  4. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

    179
    129
    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
    0
    I know you are right.
    I did put in three years, as a solo, teamed with my son for 1 1/2 years. Dedicated on the proctor and gamble account , as well as other dedicated accounts and the trans con division.
    I guess you could say I ran the gammet of what Swift had to offer a company driver.
    Each of these had their own special challenges. Which < for times sake> won't get into. But I did meet these challenges head on. However when one is backed into a corner. You don't back down.
    Do Not ever sell yourself short, Always stand up for yourself. Is my credo.
    The dust has settled and the waters have calmed. I will be returning to Swift. I still believe they are a solid company.
    I look forward to maybe running into you ( oops bad choice of words LOL) at some point in your travels. I think it would be a pleasure meeting with you. Bye for now
     
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  5. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

    179
    129
    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
    0
    Just to clear things up.
    What happen was more out of fustration than anger.
    It's just the wrong thing happen at the wrong time.
    Took some time to clear my head, and reevaluate. Hard to do when your in it everyday.
     
  6. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
    867
    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
    0
    6 days=1 day off? My first time out I did 14 and got 2 off. I was thinking of doing 21. That was to get 3 off. If I can go 18 and get 3 i will put it in when I roll out tomorrow.

    Lots of rules that I am not familiar with at Swift.
     
  7. dodgeram440rt

    dodgeram440rt Heavy Load Member

    840
    601
    May 19, 2009
    Piqua, Ohio
    0
    It was my impression that they don't want you to run 3 weeks out. My DM told me run 12 days and get 2 off. That is fine with me. Of course, if they want me to run 3 weeks, I can do that too. I'm just flexible that way. Tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it. Besides, I was told that I can only go home with a load either in my trailer or on dispatched to be picked up after hometime. So I know when I start my hometime what time I have to leave to make my delivery or pick up. No surprizes.

    Gladiator, I guess I just don't understand. You drove for Swift for three years and didn't know what their hometime policy was? I find that hard to believe. Unless they changed their policy overnight, since your last hometime. Possible, I guess, but it also seems unlikely. Either way, there is a lot of valid reasons to quit a job, a dispute over hometime just doesn't seem like a good one.

    Whatever the case, welcome back to Swift. I hope this time with them works out better for you than last time.
     
  8. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

    179
    129
    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
    0
    Yes I did know the policy...but had always gotton 3 full days..
    There were times I'd come off the house early to help cover a load.
    Stay out extra days to help out a planner who needed a favor.
    It just seemed that all of a sudden all of that was forgotton...and it fustrated me.
    Before I'm told "That's just part of truckin" which may be true,,,
    But at what point does that excuse lose it's charm?
    I have a perfect on-time delivery record. No accidents. Have done countless favors for various planners,csr's, and my dm.
    I'm not trying to be negitive here but I feel hard work should me rewarded as well as remembered...
    Teach someone to drive a truck and you have given him a skill.
    Keep that driver happy and you'll keep him for a very long time.
     
  9. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

    179
    129
    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
    0
    6 days = 24 hrs which starts from the time you get home.
     
  10. HOGDOG

    HOGDOG Bobtail Member

    18
    3
    Nov 10, 2009
    Redding Ca.
    0
    Well its all up to your D.M. how much time you get at home. I got one day off for 6 days out ! not 24hrs. from the time i got home.
     
  11. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

    179
    129
    Apr 17, 2010
    wheeler,mi.
    0
    Well Hogdog as you can see as you read this thread.. That was the case more times than not....but than BAM I'm blindsided.. I got fustrated and reacted without thinking.. But if there is a good side I've had time to clear my head and reevaluate. This industry, at times can really test a drivers tolereance level.. It's hard, at least for me, to get your perspective back while under a load or at a truckstop doing a restart...
    As for my DM I'd put her up against any other...I have to give her credit, I've called her many a time ready to throw in the towel..She'd set my PTA out...
    I could go on and on..Sometimes a driver has a really bad day....Better to deal with it off the road than on. Y'All be Safe
     
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