Swift is a good company

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by zedanny, Sep 20, 2008.

  1. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 7, 2007
    Lexington, SC
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    Just figured I'd update the previous post for what it's worth. So Saturday, I was instructed to take the load back to the shipper and drop it there sealed with the bol and the scale ticket. Of course they paid me to do so, so I did.

    Then I was routed back to Ocala to wait for dispatch. I went to Wildwood and babysat the equipment until Tuesday, when I got a load picking up in Jacksonville on Wednesday at 16:00. Naturally, I cruised on up to Jax Tuesday night in hopes that I might get loaded early, but wouldn't you know it, they weren't having any of that.

    So after waiting another day practically, I arrived at the shipper around 15:30, eagerly awaiting a dock. Somewhere around 20:00 I get a dock and they finish loading around 21:45ish. So I got the green light and went in to get the bol and get on up to Atlanta where the drop was.

    Well wouldn't you know it, when I scaled this one it was too LIGHT!! :biggrin_2554:
    The bill clearly stated 42k+, so I knew something wasn't right and I called the shipper to see if they got the right load on me. :biggrin_25520: Needless to say, they didn't put all of the load on there as their system was screwed up somehow (they're just getting this warehouse up and running) however, the forklift operator actually loaded what the puter printed out for his pick sheet so it wasn't him, but the system.

    So I'd already taken a 10 at the shipper and now I was fearing I wouldn't be able to make it to the consignee as early as I'd hoped. So to make a long story short, they put six of the seven pallets they were supposed to have loaded before and I was on my way (they couldn't locate the pallet so they nixed it and noted on the bill accordingly).

    I rescaled and I was good to go so I boogied up to the watermelon 500 and dropped the load. I proceeded to the terminal in Decatur to await a load heading home hopefully.

    Well guess what? Nothing! So I just accepted the fact that I'd probably be sitting in the ATL for the weekend and then I got a pleasant surprise from my DM over the QC. It simply said, "HEAD ON HOME"!

    Well I was overcome with joy! FINALLY! I get to go HOME and I didn't even have to ##### and moan or even ask. It felt good to know he didn't forget about me and even told me to fill up there and paid me to deadhead home close to 200 miles!

    Anyways, this was a frustrating tour of duty this time around but it wasn't so bad. When you think you can't take it any more just hang in there, it'll work itself out eventually!!

    Would just like to say thanks to my DM Erick for TCB!!!!!!
     
    BulletTooth Thanks this.
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  3. TruckrsWife

    TruckrsWife Significant Otter

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    Aug 29, 2008
    God's Country, CA
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    Well I would have first set the tandems all the way back and rescale, evidently your trainer (excuse me Mentor) didn't tell you about false weight--the gravitational increase on actual weight effected by heavy pallets beyond the axle (behind), and then adjust your fifth wheel. By moving 10 holes back on a Swift trailer (usually a Wabash) at approximately 350 lbs per hole this would transfer 3500 lbs forward, and two spots on the fifth wheel approx 200-250 lbs forward might have solved the entire problem. The 700 lbs of gross might have diminished to about 150 or so and that gets you into the acceptable (allowable) arena of over 80k. (BTW-this is otherhalftw posting on wifes screen). So there you go it probably could have been done, will never know for sure since the load is gone, but always try all your options before giving up. It may be some extra work on your part but it is well worth the effort especially in the Ocala zone as the freight there is beyond sucky.
    Sorry I wasn't there earlier to help you out when you had the problem. Good luck in the future--Be Safe
     
  4. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 7, 2007
    Lexington, SC
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    With all due respect, you are wrong. Gross doesn't change with sliding tandems dear. The tandems were already halfway back and the trailer was loaded all the way to the tail. You don't know what you're talking about. I know how to scale a load and have done my fair share of getting some really tough loads legal.

    What you're also forgetting is the bridge laws. You can't slide the tandems all the way to the rear and be legal in Georgia for sure. The kingpin laws are different in many states but in some states having the tandems all the way back or past the point they mandate can get you a ticket in a hurry. It is my responsibility to ensure the shipper has loaded the trailer that complies with federal and state laws. If they can't do that and I can't dodge all the scales in route, they're going to fix it or it will sit there.
     
  5. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Nov 18, 2008
    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Well Mr. Rookie know-it-all, you better check your bridge laws, the information is in your atlas under Weight and Size Limits/States and Provincial, front of the book before the maps.
    Yes you can slide the tandems all the way to the rear in Georgia and still be legal since the bridge law is 53'. Now sir you better learn something about gravitational false weight. Think of a teeter-toter, if you have your axels forward the rear end will in effect be pulling down at a steeper angle than if you have your tandems (the pivot point) farther back. This open air distance (area between the rear-most axle and the tail of the trailer) will bear gravitational weight, not actual weight, gravitational weight. This can increase what is considered gross weight. Slide the tandems back and watch what happens to the now correct gross weight. It will decrease by approximately 2-4.5%. Therefore yes you can effect the gross weight by simple gravitational pull.
    Before you start casting dispersions on somebody else's experience, better get yourself some experience and do your homework. It is very evident that you were lucky enough to have as your Mentor with Swift one of the larger percentage that didn't teach you, or allow you to learn what you need to know to be safe, legal, and have the ability to think for yourself to get out of a bad situation. Remember your DM won't baby you, and many times won't, or can't thru lack of experience and/or knowledge be able to help you out of a bad situation.
    As I said before....be safe and good luck.......you are going to need it.
     
  6. desert_son

    desert_son Light Load Member

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    Mar 27, 2008
    Liberty Hill, Tx
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    rubbergear , otherhalftw is partly right as georgia has no kingpin settings so you could put your tandems all the way back. Only issue would be there in Floridia with it's 41' kingpin setting. As for making adjustments changing the gross it has happened to me a feq times. Last month I started with a gross of 77,780 by the time I was done making everything legal my gross was 77,580 and I know I did not burn 200 pounds in fuel.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2009
  7. Workinonit

    Workinonit Bobtail Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Victoria, BC
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    I'm not sure how you change the GROSS weight of a unit and load by moving anything. If my axles are over weight and my unit and load weight is 72,000 lb, when I move my axles, get the axle weight corrected, I still weigh 72,000 lb Gross. My moving the axles or fifth wheel only changes the individual weights on those points, not the GROSS weight. Not sure which physics class you attended but your gravitational weight theory is interesting if nothing else.
     
    steelerfan67 Thanks this.
  8. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

    13,081
    45,332
    Nov 18, 2008
    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Gravitational downpull is aquired when heavy pallets are loaded behind the axle. If you don't beleive it just get a load tail heavy, weigh it with axles forward, then move your tandems and reweigh. It will prove my point 2-4.5% will change not only axle weight but also gross. Physics 101 actually taught in 8th grade
     
  9. Workinonit

    Workinonit Bobtail Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Victoria, BC
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    I have moved my trailer wheels and pin settings many times over the years to adjust for heavy weights behind my axles. It has changed the weight from heavy on the trailer axles to heavier on the tractor. The Gross weight has never changed.
     
  10. macho52

    macho52 Light Load Member

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    Dec 17, 2008
    merritt Island, FL
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    Hay Chip & Chair. I'm doing great have learn a lot of stuff about big truck driving. I'm almost ready to go on the road but could not get enough time shifting and I'm staying another week. I have passed everything and if they would let me single clutch I would have been finish but they want me to double clutch so I'm staying one week for that but everything else is done. The biggest problem is the weather is so cold and you have to be out in the range all day practicing. But I love it and I have learn a lot. The first couple of days you will be overwelm but dont worry you will get it in time. :biggrin_25525:
     
  11. ChipnChair

    ChipnChair Light Load Member

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    Jan 10, 2009
    Nomad, Na
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    Thanks for the update, it is appreciated! I do have a few questions for ya, if you have the time ...

    > How are the accommodations?

    > Internet access at the hotel? Do you feel safe with your laptop there?

    > Class size?

    > Any feel for workload (mileage) that will be available once you go solo?

    I plan on driving down there Feb 8 for the the Feb 9th class. Best of luck bud ... see you on the road
     
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