Swift crash on I-85 kills co-driver/trainer

Otter officially drops the mic with this post.

 

Thank you from a former Swift Mentor. I have seen so many posts all over TTR when it comes to Swift and some face book sites and right away when they see the name Swift, let the bashing begin and never even know the facts. I had one student that after 50 hours I would still not clear him for team and spent more time sitting the bunk watching. After 100 hours, I just had to cut him lose. He was not getting it. Swift put him with another Mentor, passed him and on his way. About 2 months later, rear ended a car. Exactly what I told PHX would happen because he has a problem with it. This is when I knew, no more training. People kid me when I shut down for high winds and a light trailer. I also have been in a accident. Empty trailer, came out from behind a bunch of trees and onto slick pavement. Gust of wind hits me. I do a 180 and slide backwards down a embankment. State patrol was behind me and would not write it up. Said that it was a Incident and that I had not control. It was mother nature and the County was not taking care of their roads that morning. BTW, right in the 1/4 mile area, there was a Tyson in the median and he was loaded, a UPS and many cars. Trooper behind me tells me the only thing that kept me upright was when spun, trailer tires hit the bridge concrete and that stopped me. Many that I see post, they are still wet behind the ears, but they see the name Swift. I remember one member that he was always bashing Swift before he even became a driver, then bashed all of the L/O from all the companies, and now after being a company driver for another company, he is now a L/O with the great pumpkin.

There was one thing that I noticed from the accident, the trainer was 45. This makes me think, he was experienced and he knew what he was doing. When we decide to accept that our students know what they are doing, then it is a judgement call. After over 20 years out her and other than that incident, I think that either I know what I am doing or just ##### lucky.

 

There is no brain trust . It's like down sizing the army and refilling with all new people . Average Swift driver has 6 months training the new guy then he gets 6 months and trains the next new guy etc etc then they're parking in the fuel island , turning on their hazards and going in to shower , blocking the right of ways in truck stops , drag racing other swifts for miles and miles , blocking dock doors . Just a bunch of nonsense that can't be corrected

 

And this is also what happens when you don't screen for mental illness and put out ads that a guy working at McDonald's can own his own business and make 200 grand a year .

 

Back in my days with Swift, I did not agree with making a driver a trainer/Mentor just because he/she had 'XX' amount of "experience", and you can't just base"experience" on the person's age...many are starting in this industry in their 40's and 50's. I have seen Swift and the other "training companies" make people trainers with far too little experience. And as a former Mentor, you know that that "Train the Trainer" course required doesn't do much at all to show you how to actually teach!

As to this Mentor's experience...I won't assume either way. It is a tragic situation...and more fodder for the nay sayer's about training and the training companies.

 

So tell me...and everyone else...where you get your numbers! "6 months training"...amazing to say the least!

You're saying it is only Swift that does these things? I have seen drivers with 20 years experience doing all of the above....STUPID and INCONSIDERATE, but not a SWIFT exclusive!

You are absolutely wrong with this statement...it can be corrected!

OK Professor...tell us how to screen for "mental illness"! And exactly what does this have to do with this issue of training anyway?

Looking at your picture, you appear rather young....let me guess, 27, 28(?)....if I am correct, that would give you at best 7 years maximum OTR experience...assuming you started at 21. I have seen your Swift bashing on several threads...but no background given on your experience level or your acquired knowledge basis for Swift and their training standards...or lack thereof!

 

I blame Swift corporate for the bad reputation not the drivers.I have seen some great Swift drivers. But all the unwanted publicity they get outweighs the number of good drivers they have.

 

I have great genetics . Thanks . I've been driving 23 years . From van to reefer to flatbed to tank to oversize , hazmat , everything but cars . I understand you're Captain Save A Swift but Swift is a training cheap driver mill . Every driver can be easily screened by a psychologist . They do it in the armed services before they hand you a weapon . Like a gun . Or a heavy vehicle . I know swift drivers , some friends and I've been around for a minute . Hundreds of trainees that need trainers and very inexperienced drivers , 3, 6 months experience to fill that role . Anywhere you go on here is a Swift post discussing the exit at 6 months or a year . Swift , England , et al are guilty of greed . Pushing independents out , cutting rates and claiming driver shortage so that rules are modified and standards are relaxed . It used to be you had to ride a year with a guy before you got your own truck . Look around , everyone's starving for freight and they're being improperly trained . They lack the most basic respect and courtesy . You're welcome

 

Corporate isn't the problem...their size is the current reason they get all the attention. Back in the 90's, Swift became the "target" due to Jerry's decision to keep the trucks governed at 57. Swift became the "moving road block" on every highway. Plus, with Jerry underbidding all the freight, it put many (especially independents) on a precarious edge....now we have similar problems with the.....how should I put this(?)....."International drivers" and the issues of 3rd party testing giving CDL's to "drivers" that shuldn't be operating a little red wagon let alone a big rig. Also, these "International Drivers" companies are underbidding even Swift. The I-5 is now dominated by "non English speaking" "drivers"!

 

Ouch......