Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

I had the same problem with CRST when it came to my money.My dispatcher even went so far as to put a hold on my money, that had already been put into my comdata account. ( this is for CRST:smt065 ). Oh yes and when it comes to JB Hunt, be careful of the lease purchase program.

 

In Werners defence I disagree. I`m a new driver BUT my trainer IS teaching me HOW to PROPERLY drive the truck. He is on a dedicated run not OTR which is what i`m looking to do in 3 weeks when I`m on my own. Our training is 270 hours of driving not miles. I`m at 160 hours but I feel like i`m doing ALOT better then when I started. Sure i`m not as good as alot out there and don`t claim to be. You guys are right Backing is a BEAR when your starting out. I`ve done in only about 10 times and have JUST STARTED doing the 90 degree backing. Werner HAS classes in backing as well and I WILL learn because I want to be safe.

Pros. I`m not new to driving (in general) as I was a sub contractor so I KNOW how to read maps\directions. I`ve driven for over 25 years and have NEVER had a accident claim on my insurance and the paperwork is similar to what I did in the past.

Cons. Yes I`m a newbie but I am also in no big rush like I see with both car and truck drivers. It`s not worth saving a minute or 2 over passing someone or beating the light.

Alot of driving has to do with attitude and not getting road rage. I`ve learned this being I`m from a big city (Chi town) so I know what happens to impatant drivers (esp 4 wheelers) Finally I was a motercycle rider so I see 4 wheelers not seeing me like I do now in a rig.

BTW.... I`m seen far more curtious drivers out there then poor\bad. I do try to be the same as we all share the road. also I do not drive tired as I WIL not put my safety above my job.
It`s not worth it.

 

I know what that poor driver was thinking as that almost happened to me as well. I was a sub contractor for a cable company and I had a 28 foot ladder on the roof of my truck. On I-39 nb by Rockford IL one of the straps for my ladder broke and the ladder slid from one side of the truck to the other. Thank god the other strap held and I did`nt lose it. It did scare the crap out of me. I did have spare straps so I was able to secure it.

 

Just think what a great company Swift or JB could be. If their were interested in, and helped and supported their drivers. All they look at it how much money they can save. Until they change their ideas on driver management they will always be a low class trucking company.

Retired newbe "okieme"

 

Good thing we arent wishing too never have any debt anymore! We would be sol.........

 

I am taking a weekend off in my training. I was driving through west Michigan the other night and they had a bit of a snow storm from the state line on 94 almost half way across the state headed toward Detroit. Which was my final destination. It was my first time driving in less then half mile visibility in a snow storm and my trainer told me I could stop if I wanted but come heck or high water the load had to be delivered the next morning at 10 am.

I was told before I got into this industry that if conditions are bad your not expected to drive in such conditions.

Don't get me wrong I took her down to 35-45 mph and kept her going but if it got any worse then it was I was going to park that beast.

Now my question is, if its not safe for me to drive what happens if I deny moving the truck?

I want to know this before I head back out.

Was my trainer blowing smoke or do these companies really demand you put your and the general publics safety in jeopardy?

please respond fast weither I should stay with this company or what I should do.

 

If the conditions are so bad as to make you fear for your safety, you have the right to stop or you could be liable for anybody who is injured if you have an accident. It sounds like the trainer just didn't want to lose his bonus for not getting all his loads delivered on time. If conditions are bad enough that you have to stop immediately notify the company so they will be aware of your situation. If the company punishes you for this, you can report them to OSHA.

 

thank you much. I got off track on that. That was one of my concerns. But my main concern and or problem with this company is making logs.

Now we know making logs is part of the business.

making logs for 8-11 through the 15th 4 times is getting retarded.

I mean I really feel like I am going to hurt someone.

every 4-5 days they get ahold of me and tell me I am missing logs for the 11th through the 15 of AUGUST.

I have fixed it 3 times already.

Can I file a complaint with my state labor board over this? I need to know who to call because this is harrasement.

 

Sounds like they are not getting to the right people. Make copies of those pages hold them until you are going by the office they are at and personally hand them to the dept. head or mail them certified mail or via a carrier where they tell you who signed for it. Let them say they don't have them then.