Less than 1500 miles a week

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MirandaLee, Feb 25, 2016.

  1. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    He can request a different Driver Leader, but that has nothing to do with planners and being dispatched.
    He is planned out of whatever area he is in currently, so that changes as he moves around the country.

    You need to realize that he started during the slowest time of the year. There can sometimes be 100 or more drivers than loads in certain areas, so we all have to wait longer between loads in those areas.
    His being a new driver has nothing to do with it. The drivers with the earliest PTA are given loads first. First in, first out.

    Swift isn't a bad place to work, but there are certain times of the year when freight is slower.
    It can make things difficult and frustrating, especially if one is just starting out during one of those times.

    It will get better pretty soon.
     
    Jazzy J Thanks this.
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  3. hunted

    hunted Medium Load Member

    When I worked team a long time ago I always felt bad for the solo driver that had to do a live load and he or she was very happy that they were going to get that trip from PA, to Twenty Nine Palms, CA. The drivers wait all day on the load finally get moving with it just to relay off the load in 150 miles. Plenty of time on it because we just drop it and it sat for a week before it got unloaded at this customer. Then here we come along as a team and grab it and haul it all the way out there. You have to keep making noise otherwise you won't get miles.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2016
    Reason for edit: grammer
  4. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    Your eye tore?
     
  5. ZhenyaP1991

    ZhenyaP1991 Medium Load Member

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    First time I felt sad for trucker.
     
  6. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Make friends with other Swift drivers that are getting good miles and ask them for tips on how to "work" the company, and its people.

    With some companies the solution is a hundy given to your dispatcher weekly... (I don't condone that method)

    Mikeeee
     
  7. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

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    Articulate ignorance ...
     
    dwalto, Moosetek13 and tucker Thank this.
  8. dwalto

    dwalto Light Load Member

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    He may owe Swift for the cdl schooling, but many companies will offer reimbursement of some type. Do some research, find some small to mid size companies, research some more, and then ditch Swift.
     
  9. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    The megas operate differently. Someone else answered you stating they lease the trucks, etc. They don't, they own the trucks, but when they buy 1,000 at a time, do you think they pay the sticker price? They buy them with a large enough discount that when they sell the truck, they're selling it for the same price.
     
  10. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    Where do you get your information?

    This is from the 2015 Swift SEC filing:
    Swift leases almost all of their OTR tractors under the terms I stated. The tractors remaining are specialized or day cab tractors that have no impact on OTR operations. Things happen like I say, I have no motivation is BS anyone.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2016
  11. Jazzy J

    Jazzy J Medium Load Member

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    Freight slows down in winter. Especially for flat bed and dry van. In March things should pick up. If they don't then get 6 months experience and find better job.
     
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