Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

I honestly think that both drivers and companies, as people bring things on themselves by not understanding each others value's and goals. I have drivers that only want to run 1500 miles a week because they dont have allot of bills. Old Swift we would have written that driver up and termed them, new Swift I will look for a higher revenue per mile lanes like regional that I can offset the lower miles, or offer the driver 2 weeks on 1 week of program. We started that last year after seeing other companies do it, and saw that there are drivers that want it. When drivers pull into customers and are treated bad because the customer has a perception about all truck drivers. How does that make you feel? There must have been many repeated negative behaviors that drove that customer to the perception. So does that make it true? In this analogy I am the driver. I am also trying to be the good driver, and show that its not always the correct perception. As I stated when I first got on this forum, there is definately a negative perception about Swift, and in order to change that perception you have to make steps. Thats why I am here. Perception is viewed as reality. Are there drivers that had legitimate reasons to post negative things. I have no doubt about it and I do not argue that. As with anything, all I am saying is make sure you get the full story and watch for the changes instead of dismissing them. Maybe I will start posting daily operations from a Terminal Manager perceptive if anyones interested. I of course can not get to financially detailed, but I can be operationally specific on what my challenges were, what concerns drivers had (and driver managers/fleet managers), and how I dealt with it.

On a different note, I hope everyone had a good holliday weekend!

Wes

 

The pay does start off low, but that is why we changed it last year to increase faster throughout the year. Tip has some excellent advice on per diem that you definately need to follow. I truly do not believe anyone from Swift would go after you if you said something negative. If from some reason anyone feels that is happening to them send me a message and it will be dealt with. As far as the mentors, there are good and bad mentors out there. I hope we can find a better way of selecting and creating good mentors. I wish I had access to some other companies mentor programs to compare or get idea's from.

 

"Perception is viewed as reality". Yeap. This is why propaganda works, and why we must be constantly vigilant to keep perceptions from sweet-talking us into making bad decisions, such as believing false ideas. This website helps us avoid making those bad decisions. Who else is gonna do that? You, Vick?

People's perceptions, or (more correctly) people's erroneous perceptions, are the reason why guys like me come to this site. We have to set the record straight, as slick marketing skews reality to the point that perceptions first displace, and then become, reality. Alter one's perception, and you alter his reality. It's the oldest con game going.

I'm here to knock guys out of their trances and back to the TRUE reality. How did they get into those trances? Their perceptions. Perceptions that have been manipulated by exaggerated, or just plain false, claims.

The world isn't flat, but I'm sure it wouldn't take much to convince some that it is indeed flat. I'm here to save those people from being lured into that belief and into similar false beliefs, such as "Swift is a good company to work for".

 

Hey I plan on starting for your company here in less than a week at the Kansas City terminal and just am curious since my recruiter is gone on vacation.
What's generally some decent items to bring to training and stuff. Just asking because I"m new to trucking and really trying to make sure I'm halfway prepared vs going down looking like an idiot.
Also is the $200 spending cash a decent limit considering you basically working off of fast food places and what not for almost 4 weeks before getting a pay check.
Just am curious, I've read a really positive experience about a kid from KC and really am excited to start.
I know most of you guys seem to be discouraging me, but $150 seems a lot better than having to fork over $3,500 in one shot.
Also since I didn't get an answer on my post on the welcome wagon, are cell phones and lap tops advisable to bring to training or not.

 

Hi Cheeta. Have you gone through orientation yet? Usually they give you a list of what you should bring. Cell phones are fine and lots of drivers have laptops. Just don't forget to take your stuff with you when it's time for you to leave your trainer. It's expensive on the road. So if you are frugal $150.00 a week should last you. I'm assuming you get some sort of pay while you are with your trainer. What I am telling you is just from my husband's experience as a driver. He has never been with Swift.
Hopefully someone can tell you more. Good luck.

 

Hey Cheetahwind, welcome to the world of truck driving. As Whispers said at orientation they will give you a list of what you need to take, If your trainer is any good at all he will tell you if you don't need something. You can take your cell phone and laptop, your laptop will help you with route planning if you have a good map program like streets and trips or co-pilot. Obviously take toilet items and something to carry what you would need to take a shower. A small back pack works well. Take a couple of weeks worth of clothes luckily you are in the summer time so you won't need heavy winter clothes, but a jacket might be a good idea. and a little cheap fold up poncho can come in real handy unless you dont mind getting wet. A flashlight is good but the trainer will probably have one so just take a small one. A book if you like because you will get tired of reading rules and regulations. Gloves are a definite bring along as well as a calculator and pens and white out. Remember space is going to be limited so condense. An atlas is good but your trainer also has that. I would think he would have you use his, but he should have a trucker's atlas, there is a ton of information in the trucker's atlas that you can spend a few hours reading. I probably forgot something but those are some of the main items, duh I did forget the obvious. Sleeping bag and pillow. Any way good luck to you and keep in touch. If you have any questions get back with me I trained new drivers for several years and I will be more than glad to help you out if I can. Be careful out there, and enjoy the ride.

 

Hey Cheetah, sorry I was in Phoenix most of last week so I just now have a chance to check in. Edwardsville is a good terminal to work out of. Looks like some people have listed good things for you to bring. If you get a chance, its best to learn how to eat on the road. Truck stop and fast food is way to expensive. Making your own food is the best and cheapest. I hope you have a mentor that practices this. Laptop is definately handy not just for route planning, but to watch movies, and send the family emails and get photo's. When you upgrade to solo, you can buy a cheap gps program from Microsoft which will come in handy later. I fridge is also a good investment at that time also. Be safe out there.

Wes

 

Well honestly I don't have any problems with swift I like working for the company and my driver manager is great, as was my mentor. I'm eligible for the mentor position as of july 19th and I will be taking that. The only thing that gets on my nerves is a lot of truckers on the cb have problems with swift drivers and stereo type them of all being bad drivers. well I may be new to driving a semi truck but I've driven tow trucks for years and was really good at it, so I'm not exactly new. I will also be eligible for Owner operator as of September 19th and I'm highly considering this option. I've talked to a lot of swift owner operators and they all seem pretty happy with the company for example, I'm out of the edwardsville terminal and there is an owner op there that has been there for about 7+ years and is extremely happy with swift.

 

Well being recently through this process at this same acadamy and terminal im going to tel you a little bit of what ist is going to be like.. first your going to be at a small motel which does have a kitchen type area with dishs for you to use and you will be able ot goto walmart once w week, wednesday if i remember currectly. try not to buy to much wendys i know its just down the street and tempting but its expensive and you do have a kitchen at your disposal.. the adadamy is cake, read what you need to read and practice what you need to practice and you will pass with flying colors.. you will not be recieving any money durring the acadamy time as you are paying for it. however the first day in the truck with a mentor (after you pass the acadamy) you will be able to get an advance if you need it. hope for a good mentor some will try to drive you into the ground because you make them money.. but they are there to teach you so if you need help with any thing just ask and they will teach you or at least better. training with a mentor is 6 weeks and it goes by quick and the good news is once you finish with a mentor and you finish your first solo run with out notice of any kind you will recieve a 500$ bonus just keep checking your comdata a few days after you finish your first load and you will see it just shows up randomly one day. the best advice i can offer you if you make it this far.. never turn down a load.. take every single last little tiny load they give you and be on time you will get better and better loads your driver manager is going to love you and work hard to get you bigger loads to keep you busy and making good money. if i missed any thing you wanna know just ask away ill be home for the next few days.. i've got some good home time finally after 3 months OTR

 

Well driver there is a good reason for the characterization that upsets you. First there are a lot more Swift trucks. Now the other big trucking companies have the same problem. Second Swift and the other companies go through a ton of drivers every year. Some good and some bad. Fourth Drivers tend to remember bad things a lot longer than good things. So stories of Swift and the other big companies worst are retold over and over, and in some cases repeated in reality.

Bottom line it's the truck not you. If you are a good driver, and handle yourself well out there other drivers will respect you. They just have to get over the shock of their preconceived notions about the company you drive for. Have a great day driver!!