SWIFT AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN

I was in Joplin MO last week, got fuel and the shipper is down in Noel MO. Now I'm really bad about punching in an address to the GPS and just following the blue line without checking routes in the atlas. So coming out of the Pilot there I had it in my mind to turn left and get on the freeway. GPS says turn right out of the Pilot. I say "you better be right" 23 minutes later I'm staring at a 9'9" bridge. Stupid GPS. Had to back up on a live 2 lane road and back into the intersection to turn around.

But I gotta tell ya that road leading into Noel, HWY 59 is scary. First your driving along and realize the mountain is sheer straight up next to the road and you're thinking, hope no rocks come falling down that would hurt. Then you see that you're driving under the mountain. They basically carved out the rock to make the road so the huge rock is cantilevered over the road with no support column. So then you're thinking, I hope the mountain doesn't come falling down that would hurt.

 

The problem is nowadays even road atlases are starting to become vague, to say the least. A town like Pullman would only show up as a dot on a page near or next to a major highway artery and wouldn't show the roads to take or avoid(unless it's near a major metropolitan area-even then it can be a crapshoot). You put a driver not familiar with the area into the mix and you're asking for trouble.

 

Not particularly, backing is #1. But the never ending stream of dumb stuff by our drivers, just kind of stinks.

 

Tyson in Noel, MO? The first time I went there was pitch black, saw the low clearance sign on the road and thought, there's a cliff on my right and a lake to the left. Then I saw the rocks hanging over the road.

 

It will never end either.Swift has a bad reputation and basically doesn t care who they hire like so many.They think using more policies while on the road is the answer.For example ive heard every time drivers back they must send GOAL on the Qualcomm.alot of good that does.As long as all the companies like Swift could care less who they hire and the poor quality of training they have things will never get better for the industry and all the drivers are treated as one.There is many excellent drivers but companies cant see that.

 

Is there any other reason for a trucker to be in that town? lol

Yes, same thing rode in there around 2AM see this huge rock outcropping overhead. I just have to wonder if state certified engineers have studied and concluded that the structural integrity of that unsupported rock overhanging the road like that is safe.

 

SWIFT
SEE
WHAT
I
F### UP
TODAY

 

Actually, Swift has a pretty good safety record. It's because there are so many trucks in the fleet they are more visible. They pretty much can't even fart without someone noticing.

 

The goal thing is true btw, my DM gave up on making me send one. It's corporate thinking, at least they are trying something. All of the finer skills are entirely taught by the mentors, and that's the problem. Some teach students everything, some use them as a simple milage boost. And if a student is going to be a big problem, and the mentor puts someone off, they will just end up with another one that may not have the same standards.