SWIFT flatbed experience 2010

I became interested in driving flatbed for Swift, I obtained my CDL in my home state (Nevada) it was a lot cheaper this way I paid $1500 compared to over $3500 that Swift charges.

On 11/28/2010 I traveled to Phoenix, AZ for orientation (3 days) and tie down class (2 days). I had to come to Phoenix because Swift only has four flatbed terminals. I traveled to Phoenix on my own by airplane (I was reimbursed the amount of a bus ticket both ways) and stayed at the Premier Inns Hotel. The terminal is located about three miles from the hotel and the airport is located within twenty minutes of the hotel.

I arrived at the airport and was told (in advance by my recruiter) to contact the Swift terminal for the shuttle. When I called I was told it would be an hour wait and the driver would call me. After about an hour and fifteen, no call, no show. I called back to find out what the F***. I talked to another Driver Manager and he told me it would be taken care of, got my phone number again and was told the driver will call you. I decided to go eat dinner and hoped that maybe then the driver would show up while im eating (just my luck). That didn’t happen and again after another hour I decided to call my recruiters cell phone. He didn’t answer (nor did I think he would, it was Sunday after all), I left him a message saying I have been waiting at the airport now over two hours, called twice, what do you want me to do? After about ten minutes or so my recruiter called me back and asked if I had the money for a cab and that he would authorize the reimbursement. I caught my cab and half way to the hotel the Swift shuttle called and said he would be on his way if I still needed a ride. (Are you F* ing kidding me). I told that driver no I did not need a ride as I have been waiting over two and a half hours for a ride and I caught a cab instead. WOW GREAT FIRST impression Swift!! I got to the Hotel and was checking in, (but wait) I didn’t have a reservation! The Hotel staff was nice enough to still give me a room and told me to return tomorrow with a voucher from swift.

 

11/29/2010, the first day of orientation started at 11AM. It was a lot of sitting around waiting to go do a drug test and physical. The drug test and physical went really fast once I went. Next we did all the new hire paperwork line by line only as fast as the slowest person. (Man this took forever) Swift bought us lunch. Next we got the schedule for the rest of the week and a stern warning on the rules of the class room. (No hats in the building, no being late or you go home, no cell phones, DON’T BE LATE this was said like ten times, one minute late and call your recruiter so you can go home). Wouldn’t you guess I ran into another problem, during the paperwork I did not have a social security card, birth cert or passport. I asked my recruiter before I left if I needed any of these items and he said “no you don’t need any of that”. I thought I would bring my passport just in case but I forgot it, so I guess its just as much my fault for not having the common sense to bring it anyway, Oh well. We ended the day around 4PM. I didn’t forget to see my recruiter to obtain my voucher for my room and he also took a copy of my receipt for the taxi ride and said I will be reimbursed.

 

11/30/2010, Day two started at 7AM. We did Swift history, payroll, benefits, sexual harassment, driver services, DOT videos and policies, security video and procedures, driver manual and safety and trip planning.

12/01/2010, Day three started at 7AM. We completed the drivers log class, safety video, permits, traveling to Canada, Wells Fargo banking rep, Hazmat driver training, emergency procedures, charities, operations and customer service and closing video. We were given our physicals back and some students were issued their driver code and other had to wait to be issued their driver code. The experienced drivers were put in a hotel for the night as Swift had no available trucks to issue. The flatbed drivers will continue tie down class the next two days and the van drivers were sent home until they are matched with a Mentor.

 

12/02/2010, Day four, Flatbed Tie Down class one at 800AM. All the flatbed guys met at the drivers building to be taken to the flatbed class room. Flatbed tie down class showed us most of the tie down methods and tie down policies of Swift. We spend the morning in class and afternoon outside trying the different tie downs. We were released around 3PM.

12/03/2010, Day five, Flatbed Tie Down class two at 800AM. Class started at 8am again, we started in the class room for a couple hours and then went outside to try more tie downs. Went to lunch returned to finish the bookwork and homework from last night. I got issued my drivers code today. We took the flatbed tie down written test. Once the instructor graded the test he let you leave for the day about 2pm. I returned home to wait on a Mentor.

 

Other thoughts about the week, the hotel was nice it was built about three years ago. Swift policy is two to a room. On my first night I had a roommate only for one night. The remaining days I did not have a roommate. The Swift facilities were okay, I have seen a lot better (being this is corporate headquarters). The orientation room was a nice training room. The Jake Break (restaurant) was okay, not a very big selection of food and seemed overpriced especially for being for employees only. The Swift store was very small, had mainly clothing and some misc items. The drivers lounge has several recliners and one TV. They have a barber shop and another store (they sell damaged products here). The main building seemed really nice, I don’t know how new it is but you can’t exactly just walk around in it (I could only see the waiting area).

 

I would like to keep updating this thread as I continue with Swift, as long as I have enough interest in this thread. This thread is not to take over DIARY OF A SWIFT FLATBED DRIVER but to provide another look from another point of view.

Im at home just awaiting on a Mentor assignment.