Last fall Swift committed to a load board for the O/Os and have been providing updates via the Facebook page. I'm going to rehash some of the information from the page.
Swift ran a pilot program before the holidays and it didn't go so well. Swift started another pilot a few weeks ago. Initially with 3 drivers, they added 5 more and then last week 5 more. Bringing the total in the program to 13. I was lucky enough to be one of the 5 in the last group.
The program is not a load board. Swift has partnered with a broker to give us access to more loads. These are not Swift loads, but loads the broker contracted with the shipper.
As a Swift O/O it provide you a second option for loads. You can still and will get preplans from the planners, you can still use Mac 30. But you can also call the broker for available loads.
The communication with the broker is via phone and it is strictly between you and the broker. No Swift planners are involved. You can let the broker know if you are interested in going to a specific area or just find out what he has. You can contact the broker anytime.
As far as rate, this is where it gets fun. It's negotiated between you and the broker. You get what you can. The rate you negotiate is all inclusive. There are no additional spiffs for lumpers, tolls, etc. you get what you get. All expenses come out of your pocket.
Once you agree to take the load, the broker contacts a Swift CSR and the load is put on you as a preplan via QC, same as always. After that you do all your same QC calls just as you would on a Swift load. The only exception is a phone call to the broker when you have loaded and emptied.
You pay amount will be confirmed as an X-pay message on the QC and you will be paid on your statement same as would for a Swift load. Your maintenance account is credited just as always for the miles you run on the load.
Right now this program is in the pilot phase. Currently it is only solo, OTR and all 48 drivers. No mentors, team or obviously dedicated. Though the addendum to the contract I signed does have provisions for mentors, so Swift does appear to be looking to the future as the program matures.
Bottom line I see this as a big positive and a win/win/win for all parties. Swift is stepping up to the plate and working to improve the O/O program. Out of it they will get an additional revenue stream, the broker will get access to a large fleet of truck, giving them the ability to expand their business and the O/O get access to additional freight and the opportunity for additional revenue.
Swift O/O Load Board
Discussion in 'Swift' started by MysticHZ, Feb 9, 2013.
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kbarttt, DarkCanyon, truckbuddha and 2 others Thank this.
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scottied67 Thanks this.
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fr8 ... Swift hasn't publicly disclosed the broker, so I won't until they do.
The fun part is the negotiating for the rate. Sometimes, other than getting a load when Swift can't, you don't get much. Other times, it can be very lucrative. Plus, just the abiltiy to ask what have you got, going where and then make your choice.
Most of the loads tend to be heavy, all live. You're using a Swift trailer to haul thier loads.fr8monkey and scottied67 Thank this. -
This could be a game-changer in the industry if Swift can pull this off. Brokers will be falling all over themselves to offer Swift O/O's loads to/from Chicago/PA/NY as they (O/O) don't have/need to be paid 100% tolls (thereby undercutting every other trucking outfit out there, as one example) as they have the cheap transponder.
I hope they get it figured out real quick, this could turn out to be a game changer for Swift as well, I can envision more company drivers coming over to the O/O side.
Possible downside would be some O/O's seeing what their time and truck is truly worth might be more motivated to move on to model where they can pick 100% of their loads ala Landstar.spectacle13 and fr8te_sh8ker Thank this. -
Though I do believe it can introduce a different model for the owner leased on to a carrier. The advantage is still being able to pull loads at the Swift rate.
Get a good rate going into Florida from the broker, then use Swift to get out as opposed to deadheading 200-300 miles like someone on the LS model might. I sat across from an independent O/O in Laredo at the J. He had been there for 4 days, the best he was getting offered was .10 less than what Swift was paying me. And I turned around in 20 hours.scottied67 Thanks this. -
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