Diary of a current Swift flatbed driver

I believe we do. Call recruiting or the flatbed division in Phoenix for more info. I used to run Weyerhauser lumber out of LA all the time.

 

Can you all give me suggestions as to how I should equip this truck for pulling flats with Swift? I'm curious as to what sort of headache rack I should get. Those with cabinets appeal to me most as I like to have equipment locked and out of the sight of thieves. Also, my truck weighs 21500lbs with full tanks. Is this an issue?

 

Hi Folks,

Looks like I am (or will be) scheduled into the 9/3 class in Phoenix. I live near(ish) to Fontana (Fontucky to some). 17 yrs ago drove for Werner about 6 months and went back to "shore duty" after that. Pulled just a few skateboards with a BAD trainer, but liked it. I'm pretty sure that's MY future. I *think* I indicated both van and flatbed as interest on my app so I need to maximize my chance to "pull" instead of "bump". Should I just make sure to mention it in next conversation with recruiter, or place an extra call to the Phoenix FB division? If 2nd call,
who should I talk to there?

Thanks for starting this thread Tom. I've clipped several things from it that I know I'm going to want as reminders.

Shar (aka Steve - no H <chuckle>)

 

Columbus, IN is my hometown

 

Update: Spoke to Lynn today at Phoenix. Confirmed going to Phoenix. Dropped my plug about desiring flatbed, and got the response I mostly expected, that it would be asked about closer to end of class, and make my desires known then.

She also told me how the process differed if I go flatbed. It was nice in that she didn't just cover the bare minimum of what she needed to know during the call. A busy person that seemed to go that extra little bit. I liked that. Seemed like a classy lady on the phone.

Shar

 

Thought I would keep this going.

Thursday:
I went and got my DOT physical updated. Qualified for a 2 year physical since the Dr. took me off the meds he gave me for hi BP since they made my BP low enough he got concerned. Since I am not taking any others, and my BP readings are normal except under rigorous activity (and then only questionable using questionable criteria), I got the 2 yr cert. Arizona wants a current within 30 day H6 when I go there, so I went to DMV to get that. I asked CA DMV if they got the copy or original, and they said original. SO, since I needed it for AZ, I just kept it, and will give to them there.

Friday:
Redid most of my laundry that's been in a bag for 2 months and rewashed my sleeping bag. Stuffing everything into a smaller bag than I planned to take is getting interesting.

Saturday:
I've already trimmed out a few shirts n such, but I refuse to skimp on socks, and will take a week of summer and a week of winter with me. If I can have dry socks, wet clothes aren't quite so bad.
Swift wants 2 notarized statements about my period of unemployment over the last year. I realized this morning I wasn't sure if they wanted them from 2 people or two statements notarized from me. So I printed some out, and my sweetie and I went to my bank and got two notarized from each of us. That should suffice in either case. I still have to double check on whether it's one or two carry on bags allowed by greyhound. If one, I may have to stuff my jacked pockets full of tuna cans or something. <chuckle>

Sunday: stay tuned. If the greyhound is one of the new internet ones, I'll keep you posted, otherwise it will be sometime after 3:30 in AZ. Not sure how long it will take to get settled into the Legacy Suites.

 

Glad to see post from ones who are happy with their Swift employment but our experience is quiet the opposite. My son is a new flatbed driver for Swift and is very UNHAPPY. Since he began in April as a new CDL driver and a Swift employee, his pay has been way less than minimum wage and he's only been home 4 times for 1-2 days at a time (missed Mother's Day, Father's Day, his birthday, July 4th, now over 1,500 miles from home, laying over at a truck stop the entire 4-day Labor Day weekend).
I am very disappointed when it comes to Swift's "excellent compensation" and "we're committed to having you home at least one day for every six on the road."
One week he was gone an entire week and brought home $150.00, despite Swift's promise of "our excellent compensation and benefits package afford you the opportunity to take great care of your family." He has made several trips he did not get paid for. Any suggestions?

 

Home time is not a given. Yes, you EARN 1 day off for every 6 days out, taking it is another thing entirely. You need to plan ahead for your home time and when it gets close to time to be home then you need to make sure that you get home. The squeaky wheel gets oiled! Just because you earn 4 days home time doesn't mean that you'll be able to take it without a fight. DAMHIK! This was a big part of the reason I went owner/operator.

A new driver has to scan his/her load BEFORE they get paid for them. NO SCAN.......NO PAY!!! Then you need to follow up to make certain that you get paid correctly AND (very important) get reimbursed for out of pocket expenses AND lumper fees. If the scan is hard to read Swift will not pay/reimburse you and will wait until you call and complain to fix the problem.

 

The load he has now, 1,500 miles from home, this 4-day holiday weekend may be his last load for Swift. Although he loves the flatbed driving, because of the less than minimum wage pay, not getting paid for 2 of his loads and is lucky if he gets 2 days a month home time, he is ready to STOP trucking. I wish he could find a different company who is hiring newbies to make better use of the $6,000.00 he paid to attend a 2-week course to earn his CDL.

 

If he got his CDL outside of Swift then there are any number of trucking companies that will give him a chance.

Be advised, HE HAS TO PAY HIS DUES! I'm not saying he has to work for less than minimum wage, he has to start at the bottom and work his way up. Good luck in whatever he choses.