Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

When I drove for SwiftQuit, the regime was forced dispatch. Drivers had no choice. If they declined, they got put in the doghouse. If they kept declining, they were shown the door.

Drivers complaining about not getting miles would send up a red flag for me. Yeah, some will ##### about the sky being cloudy, but I'd still look up to see what the clouds are doing. If all I heard was ########, I'd start thinking that I'm working for the wrong company. Drivers don't act like herd animals unless there is a good reason behind the en-masse movements.

I bet workers don't complain much at Caterpillar or GM.

 

I've been with Swift for 4 years and have turned down a number of loads mostly for HOS issues, but I have also turned down short hauls after running a few under 300 miles. Then I was given some good runs 1000+ miles.
As for drivers complaining about not getting miles. I have been at terminals hearing drivers complain, I would either go to the dispatch desk or call my DM, next thing I know I am rolling and the same drivers are still sitting in the drivers lounge complaining they are not getting any miles as I pull out of the terminal.

 

road dog who ya driveing for ? lol

 

I couldn't agree with you anymore. I run into the same thing. Stop at a terminal and hear drivers complaining and I get a load and am running just as well. I have only been driving for Swift as a solo for about 8 months and my DM takes care of me.

 

I am sorry had to laugh at that one my brother in law works for Gm at the bowling green plant I believe Local 2164 is there number. I have been with my brother in law during lunch break. While they just talking shop 80% was complaining about bosses not getting paid enough and all sort of other stuff but hey only Swift drivers complain about there job and company LOL

 

Hello group,
I just turned 51 this month, and graduated from driving school last month. I took the eight week course at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount MN. Swift Transportation has hired me out of their Minneapolis terminal. I was the only driver at orientation who didn't have to do a test drive with Swift. They said I didn't need to test drive because DCTC trains drivers so well compared to some of the private driving schools. Half of the applicants disappeared by the end of the second day. I had over 2,000 miles behind the wheel by the time of graduation. I'll be with a Swift trainer for six weeks before they assign a truck to me. The Trainer told me he's been a trainer with Swift for over eight years. It appears that most of the bad news about Swift is fairly old. Maybe it is getting better there. I'm really looking forward to this new career as it is very different from the former-(desk job). Hope to hear some good news about Swift now that it is back in the hands of the founder. I need a better handle too.

 

jmslavik welcome to swift, the next 6 weeks will be an adventure . When I was a mentor I always told the guys to always remind me to do paper work especially the backup form. With training for over 8 yrs I am sure he will be on top of it. Try not to be to quite always ask questions your trainer should be able to tell you the ins and outs of Swift. I also know it will be hard but do your best to get plenty of rest you'll need it. Remember its only six weeks after that you go solo kep the faith and keeo it safe.

 

And don't forget. If your mentor ends up being one of the unsafe ones then get another!

After two weeks my first mentor started doing a bunch of loony stuff and got a real bad attitude. One Email and one phone call later I was off her truck before she knew what happened. Swift handled the situation really well and had my next mentor lined up by the end of the day.

My second mentor was awesome and I finished my training with him, we are friends now.

 

If only their equipment was half as good as the DM's the company wouldnt be half bad. Finding a trailer that would pass a DOT inspection is half of the chore. I have personally had to go from Minneapolis to Souix City S.D. to try to get a decent trailer and when I got to Souix City 1 out of 5 was legal. Doors falling off, electrical lighting problems,and 2 with worn out tires, the only one legal was a 14 ft. which kept me west of ole Missippi river. Getting freight out of Florida is the biggest setback.

 

I call B.S. on this one. I ran for Swift 2 years and resigned back in February do to some personal issues. Out of the 2 years of running for them. I have never had a problem finding a mechanically sound trailer unless that was my excuse for not wanting to pull a load. Yes, I did sometimes have problems finding empties (mostly in the ATL area) but for the most part, in my opinion, they took pretty good care of the equipment. Even if it was bad I made a phone call and it was as good as fixed. While at Swift they treated me pretty good and again like a previous poster said it's always the lazy guy that don't wanna run standin' around talking about miles and bad equipment. I'm glad that they are finally starting to weed out all those guys out (at least they were when I left).
Just to add as a person who actually worked for them. I NEVER had a problem with pay, I ran consistently, I never sat for more than a day (except for once and I was compensated for it), I ran as many miles as I could legally run as long as I was willing to run. I did'nt whine everytime I did'nt get the "gravy" load. Detention pay was automatic. In fact, you were qualcommed when you sat at the dock for more than 2 hours to let you know the detention pay started.

Say what you want to about Swift but they done good by me.