Is it time to say goodbye Swift and move on?

When you get your new DM, have a sitdown and explain things exactly as you just did here. With the exception of quitting after another year. That part might hurt you. They don't need to know that until two weeks prior to D-Day.

Having met you in person, I see no reason you would not make a good mentor. You have the right demeanor and you definitely know what not to do.

 

Some drivers refuse to go to Laredo without a preplan to get back out.

Friday is an invitation to be there all weekend.

 

My daughter, a Swift company driver, recently resigned. Another major snatched her up and offered more money, better benefits and more miles. Low miles, broken down equipment, no human communication on nights and weekends and a rant about excessive idling (yeah, Houston in July) is common for Swift but this is the KICKER!
Early last spring when she was solo for only ten days and wanting desperately to observe all the rules and regs, she reported a "close call" to her DM as a bystander suspecting damage called 911 and an officer stopped her. No damage to either tractor, trailer or any structure. Because she failed to take pictures of this "no damage", a report was put on her DAC by Swift. The DAC acknowledges no damage, no citation, but nonetheless, the report is there and Swift refuses to have it removed. To argue the point would cost attorney fees we don't have available to spend. Her former DM likens the report to a third grade report card but it's there...and it sticks in her and my craw. She was forced to sign the report and to further argue the situation would be pointless. Daughter claims, and with sufficient backup info, that many companies will find any excuse to enter an adverse on a DAC simply to keep the driver tied to the company. Fortuately the new major only looks at the MVR and, of course, nothing about this "un accident" appears there. So watch it...girls & guys. Daughter is kicking herself for not taking photos (photos of what. you ask!)but it's too late. Don't you think it would be the company's responsibility to prove the "accident" rather than my daughter's responsibility to disprove it? This is so contrary to our constitutional right to be judged innocent until proven guilty. But companies get away with it right and left and it's a #### shame.
In their favor, Swift DID pay on time, sometimes a little short, but within reasonable limits. Misakes were easily corrected. Benefits, once they kicked in, were adequate but not particularly generous. They were a good starting place for the most part but uncommon delays in getting the next load, shoddy equipment and this DAC thing just was too tough to handle.
AND, IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE SWIFT...Keep in mind they do require two week notice, but read on...
After a couple of conversations with her DM conveying her dissatisfaction on a few points, some weak attempts were made to make some corrections and make her happier. Finally, when things did not improve and after a lot of intense thought, she decided to leave and tendered her notice. Her application to another company was under review with a start date in two weeks which would have been perfect..BUT Swift told her to leave the keys and turn in the truck the day she tendered her notice. No respect here...So, advice from this old lady, don't bother with notice. Just set up your next job to start the day after you drop the keys on the desk. Swift does not respect you and does not deserve your respect. Nothing bad will happen..don't worry- just don't abandon the truck and you will be fine.

 

Nevermind. Having a discussion with a Stage-Mom is like trying to teach a pig how to sing. All it does is give you a sore throat and annoy the pig.

 

Greygramma there is a law suit going on right now with the DAC people. If there is merit to her claim and there is $$ involved she can offer to sue Swift and the nice people at DAC . If the attorney can make a buck they will do it on contingency.

Search this site. There is a current topic going on now.

Your daughter shouldn't have signed the report. She signed it under duress.

Ignore Injun. She's having a bad week.

 

Here's a link http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...else-get-class-action-form-5.html#post2115890

 

Wow. I'm impressed. You have timely, relevant and helpful information here.

As for your editorial comment about how my week is going...it really bites when you get caught talking out your arse and rumor-mongering about a company you USED to work for, doesn't it?

I've always tried to give advice to people about burning bridges and watching what they say. Never know when that bridge might come in handy. And talking crap about someone who you say you left on good terms with...always has a habit of getting back to them. There are management people looking at these threads, too.

 

I was approached recently by a safety dude at one of the terminals interviewing as many drivers about the GOAL messaging, honking horn trick that is in effect. I explained that I don't back up unless absolutely necessary (good boy), I don't send in GOAL on the qualcomm (bad boy), I don't honk the horn (bad boy), I don't get out of the truck before backing unless I have some doubt about what's back there (bad boy because they want you to get out every single time).

Anyway, he mentioned that the punishment he has seen has been if a driver hits something (backing) sans GOAL message sent, they are written up with that "Final Warning PCR", and some dedicated drivers have lost their gigs etc.

This program was borne from an incident wherein a student and mentor were involved in a backing event and one of them pinned the other against a trailer during a coupling procedure. This is the deal Swift made with OSHA to allow Swift to continue operations. The authority comes from OSHA.

I agree, never give 2 weeks notice. What are they gonna do, fire you the day you turn in your keys? lol Have your next job already lined up and bounce to it.

 

Injun I have an email from my DM saying, "if it doesn't work out you are welcome to come back. I have a copy of my clean DAC. What would they do now? Ding me? That would not be wise. That would be tax free $$$ in the bank.

I corrected my mistake, and admitted my mistake. Do you ever do that? Nope.

So how's that correspondence course in anger management coming along?


My gripes about my experiences aren't news to the powers that be. They won't change, they have no reason to.

If it wasn't for the constant influx of cheap government subsidized help they would have to change their ways. Make themselves more profitable. Shrek coming on here and asking about driver retention? He knows trucking. He just never drove for Swift. He got some good info. Think the people above him are doing anything to correct it?

When you go to orientation and are told they expect you to leave in a few months, and they don't mind?

Give me a break.