Merry Christmas - "You don't have a job - Try a temp agency"

RE Swift -
Sold my business back in NH, moved to PHX, made the call to Swift recruiting, started the classroom study in October, did the range and road training, 6 almost intollerable weeks with 2 mentors, passed by final road and written test on Christmas Eve morning then met with DM. He told me I was 87th on the list for a truck and it could be months. He also suggested I try a temp agency!
I made a time and financial comittment to Swift. I worked my butt off during these two months to be the best driver I knew how. I bought a bunch of Swift clothing and products to display my pride and company loyalty. And this is their support to me.
Interesting to note the DM told me this long list of drivers waiting for trucks is normal....standard operating procedure. I also discovered they continue to have new classes each week (30 students # $4,000 each).
All through the process I was told it was do the training successfully and we'll get you right into a a truck when you get off the mentor's truck. The lst month of the mentor period I began asking Driver Services (support office to students)....."how long? 2 days, 3 days, 2 weeks 3 weeks??". They could/would not answer. Yesterday I confronted the supervisor of the recruiting department with all this. Her answer? "I'm sorry". to which I said" "that's it?". "I am told what to say. I'm sorry" she responded. I went back into the Driver Services office to talk with the head there. My last words to him were: "I hope you can sleep tonight, because I won't be".
I have little money left in the account. I surely would have spent what money we had differently had I known I was going to be without after the training. But even more important, I would simply had not even begun the process back in October had I known this could have been the outcome. The DM, by the way, told me this list has been like this for a long time. long before I applied. They knew then I would, most likely, not be working when I completed the training!

How irresponsible, dispicable and obscene!

I called Knight yesterday inquiring about a job. She said she had received no fewer than 10 similar calls the past few days.
After several calls to other carriers I am discovering that unless you train with them (startiing all over again) they one a minimum of 6mos or a year experience.

At 57 years old, I guess this isn't what I bargained for.

HOW ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT, BOYS! let me know. I'm ready to get it started. Contract or no contract.

 

Thanks to all so far -
Yes, I have my CDL. The cost was $4,000 with $150.00 up front. The balance is to be paid in weekly increments of $37.50 (out of future Swift paychecks) with Swift matching the $37.50 for the first 13 months. Beginning then they put in $75.00/week and at the end of two years the $4,000 is paid back. IF I drop out any time prior to the two years, I am responsible for the entire $4,000.00. In the meantime, however, contractually I can't make a move. I can't even apply for unemployment.
They have me by the b###s.

I have called a half dozen carriers with pretty much the same response: "we need 6 months" or "we're not hiring in the Phoenix area" or "we're not hiring at all". I have a meeting on Tuesday with the Phoenix terminal manager. He wanted to do it on the phone. I refused. I want to see the body language and his face. Not that this will accomplish anything. Just want to hear his response, if any.

I also called The Dave Nemo show on XM 171 (Open Road) and got quite a response from it including a personal call from the host with much info from him names, numbers, etc. (did not mention Swift, specifically on-air but I'm sure most assumed).

Here's the real amazing piece and speaks volumes about pro divers. As I mentioned, the host of the show called me. He called again this morning giving me the name and phone number of a driver. Just a random driver, not associated with any show....any organization. I was told this fellow wanted to pay for a one year membership in the OOIDA for me! I gave him a call and thanked him for his generosity but said it wasn't necessary. He would not take "no" for an answer. He said he wanted the OOIDA to know about this and perhaps there would be something they could do.

So, that's where we stand today. This past 72 hours has been quite the discovery period for me. It's an industry filled with some very terrible human beings as well as some wonderful ones. The drivers ARE the real winners.
Thanks again

 

While I was with the DM and questioning this list, he had me get in front of the screen to show me. What I also saw were names and dates going back to OCTOBER! I like your encouragement, but everything I've seen and heard as well as his suggestion re calling a temp agency says I won't be sitting first seat for some time to come.