My Time With Swift

This is going to be a short milage week, for sure. Had my 3 days hometime and got some stuff taken care of while at home. Left mid day sunday to pick up my load in northern Ohio. Got there at 14:20, went in to check in and pick up my load papers and no one was there. There is a sign on the office door (which was locked) with the business hours and instructions saying to ring the bell and wait patiently until someone shows up. Ok. I rang the bell once every 5 minutes for 1/2 an hour and never even saw a mouse! BTW, they "closed" at 15:00. Finally I grabbed my phone and called the number on my dispatch info and finally got someone. The pre-plan info said it was a live load, turned out it was a pre-loaded trailer, so after a quick drop and hook, I'm on my way to South Carolina.

On my way to SC, I'm given a pre-plan going to North Carolina. Sounds good. 400 mile run isn't too bad, but with it being a JIT Priority load, I just didn't have enough hours to do it. I guess I could have taken it then did a Mac 22 (running late) but I don't know if it would have worked being a JIT load. So, with some hesitation, I turned it down.

Then I get a message on the QC that I need to do a log class. Now it's got me wondering if turning down that load based on hours has got me in trouble. I called my DM and he didn't say anything about me being in trouble. (If I am, that is usually the first thing he says.) But he did say there is a recall on my truck for the exhaust system. I also reminded him about my suspension problems, so after I dropped my load, I got routed empty to the Greer, SC terminal for my class and to get the truck fixed. So now I will be sitting again for at least another day, if not longer. Can't make money this way.

 

Have I mentioned I hate Volvo's? I was sent to this terminal to get 2 things on the truck fixed. The first is a recall on the exhaust stack, which from what I'm told won't take too long. The other item to get fixed is the popping noise in the front end I had mentioned before which is related to the front springs. This one is a big problem. There are currently 4 other Volvo's in this shop all with that same problem and guess who is at the bottom of the list. It will take a couple days just to get the springs ordered in, then a full day for repairs...once they can get to it. You know you are screwed when the mechanic recommends getting a new truck.

Called my DM first thing this morning and told him what is up with the truck. He is currently working on getting me another one. I have my fingers crossed it is not another Volvo. I know some of you out there really like the Volvo's, but, frankly, I'm not impressed. I've been thru 3 Volvo's in 3 months. Granted, I lost the 2nd one because I was in the hospital, not for any mechanical failure, but that truck still had some issues also. I just want a good, reliable, clean truck. Is that really too much to ask for?

A word of warning for those who have Volvo's. I've been told that as the trucks reach 300,000 miles, they all start to develope this problem with the springs. If your truck pops in the front end when turning, start hitting your DM up for another truck. Or be prepared to sit for a week. Like the mechanic here told me, sure I could run it like it is, but it is a problem that will only get worse. And if Mr. DOT happens to spot it during an inspection, you'll be shut down anyway, with a fine.

Hopefully, as soon as I get my truck and get my stuff swapped over, I will have a new load ready to go, so I will let you all know what I get next time. Until then, be safe!

 

Well, I'm happy to say I didn't get a Volvo. Almost did. My DM had called me back with a truck number and said it was a 2009 Volvo. I said ok, figuring that a one year old truck would not need leaf springs for a while. I went to the drivers window to get the keys, but they said the truck was not ready yet. I was fine with waiting, I still had 3 1/2 hours to wait for my log class. Then I get another call from my DM saying the truck wasn't ready so he was going to see about a different truck and would call me back. After waiting awhile I called him back and he had to check and did have a truck available...a 2009 Freightliner. I think this truck used to be a lease truck, it's one of the dark blue ones. So far, this truck is in pretty good shape, except for some paint peeling on the tops of the fairings on both sides. Mechanically seems pretty good, but I really haven't had the chance to drive it yet. The interior is pretty clean also, except both of the mattresses were tore up. They gave me one new one since I'm a solo driver. That's fine, I just use the top bunk for storage anyway, except in 3 weeks when I pick up my son to bring him home. Speaking of storage, it is true what they say compared to the Volvo's. Actually, the storage in the bunk isn't too bad. Laid out a little different than the Volvo's, but I think there is actually more room. It's up front in the cab were the storage suffers. There just isn't anyplace to put anything.

So that's it for now. Will post a more thorough review after I actually get to drive the truck on a load. PTA is set for 7 am. Hoping I don't have to wait too long for a load!

 

Well, everyone has their own opinions. If you have read my whole thread, you probably know already that my opinion is that Swift is a great place to get a start. As I have said before, it really all depends on your attitude. You really have to have a positive attitude about everything, even when things aren't going very well.

There are a number of members on here that have gone thru Swift's school and a number who are currently attending Swifts school. They have all said pretty positive stuff about their experiences there. Myself, I went to a private truck driving school and had a fairly positive experience there as well. True, some are just driver mills, pushing you thru in three weeks just to get your cdl and your money. The school I attended was 5 weeks long and in my opinion was pretty good. What ever school you choose to attend, don't freak out if you should fail the cdl driving test the first time out. It's not the end of the world.

The PTDI might be a good certification for a school, but I don't really think a lot of companies really care about it. Swift doesn't require it, they are also not PTDI certified themselves. I've been told that Crete will only hire from PTDI schools, but that is not true. The school I attended is not certified and I had a pre-hire from them.

Just starting out, if you go to a private school, get as many pre-hires as you can. Apply to everyone, even if you really don't want to work for them. It just gives you more options. Then start to weed them down until you find the company that you feel will fit you best. If that is Swift, great. If it's somewhere else, great. The point is to have fun with what you are doing, and most of all, be safe.

Good luck to you and if you have more questions, feel free to ask. Someone here will be more than happy to help.