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Diary of a New Swift Driver

Discussion in 'Swift' started by Gold_Miner, Nov 16, 2011.

Page 34 of 37
  1. Feb 17, 2012 #331
    TooGroovy

    TooGroovy Medium Load Member

    407
    99
    Nov 2, 2011
    igetaround
    0
    I have learned a lot from reading your difficulties GM, and the difference a good mentor can make. I hope I don't have to go through something as bad as you did, or even as lame as bigbus or blue... It does encourage me to be ready to call in and ask for someone who WILL BE teaching me the trucking business in those 8-9 weeks.
     
    TooGroovy, Feb 17, 2012
    TooGroovy, Feb 17, 2012
    #331
    Gold_Miner Thanks this.
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  3. Feb 17, 2012 #332
    bluebonn

    bluebonn Road Train Member

    1,026
    723
    Aug 21, 2010
    Texas
    0

    UH Ha that must have been it. I think he was heading for Vegas to deliver with his empty trailer.. That's what it looked like to me :biggrin_2554:
     
    bluebonn, Feb 17, 2012
    bluebonn, Feb 17, 2012
    #332
  4. Feb 17, 2012 #333
    JahB

    JahB Road Train Member

    5,832
    3,138
    Dec 31, 2008
    WASHINGTON/OREGON border
    0
    Gold Miner, once you're trained and assigned, you could think about moving on to one of the O/O companies that lease several trucks on with Swift. (DSW, etc) that do allow you to take your dog, (I wouldn't advise TWO) and your wife as a ridealong, or even to mentor her yourself after a bit. My wife and I worked for one, took our Jack Russell. Just a thought. Would I recommend it? meh. depends on you two. They ran us like sled dogs on dedicated. You'd still be a swift driver, essentially, but with a faster car, a dog, and better looking company.
     
    JahB, Feb 17, 2012
    JahB, Feb 17, 2012
    #333
    scottied67 and Gold_Miner Thank this.
  5. Feb 17, 2012 #334
    Gold_Miner

    Gold_Miner Medium Load Member

    496
    227
    Nov 4, 2011
    Burnet, TX
    0
    I don't think I will ever become O/O. Mainly because of my age.... I think that I will drive as a company man for 5~8 years and call it good... Thanks for the excellent advice though...
     
    Gold_Miner, Feb 17, 2012
    Gold_Miner, Feb 17, 2012
    #334
  7. Feb 17, 2012 #335
    JahB

    JahB Road Train Member

    5,832
    3,138
    Dec 31, 2008
    WASHINGTON/OREGON border
    0
    FYI, you wouldn't be an O/O yourself, you would be driving for one at Swift on one of their leased on trucks.
     
    JahB, Feb 17, 2012
    JahB, Feb 17, 2012
    #335
  8. Feb 18, 2012 #336
    RedDirtDriver

    RedDirtDriver Light Load Member

    142
    56
    Jun 8, 2010
    Oklahoma City, OK
    0
    Good thread, just read all of it in it's entirity. Thinking of coming back to the industry and Swift is on my short list. Good luck all and stay safe. Don't let anyone control your destiny but you.
     
    RedDirtDriver, Feb 18, 2012
    RedDirtDriver, Feb 18, 2012
    #336
  9. Feb 19, 2012 #337
    DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    5,204
    3,175
    Aug 10, 2011
    An Alaskan lost somewhere in the Lower 48
    0
    NOW you tell him. :biggrin_2559:
     
    DenaliDad, Feb 19, 2012
    DenaliDad, Feb 19, 2012
    #337
  10. Mar 7, 2012 #338
    Gold_Miner

    Gold_Miner Medium Load Member

    496
    227
    Nov 4, 2011
    Burnet, TX
    0
    Well it has been fun, but I can not take it anymore. Swift is not for me... I tried to like the slow trucks, stupid rules and other crap, but just could not take it any more. Now I am looking for a real company (non-BFI) and have some good leads so far.

    All newbies my experience shows that the others that tell you to look for a good company to work for is not BS. I have some good leads for local regional truck companies that will get me home every week. Some of them I will be home every night.
     
    Gold_Miner, Mar 7, 2012
    Gold_Miner, Mar 7, 2012
    #338
    bluebonn, grusco and scottied67 Thank this.
  11. Mar 7, 2012 #339
    530pedalpusher

    530pedalpusher Bobtail Member

    37
    6
    Jan 18, 2012
    Redding,CA
    0
    I've never did prison time but I'm just using the experience to further my trucking career. Slow trucks I agree but I've passed slower...

    Did you get your own truck?? What rules were bad?
     
    530pedalpusher, Mar 7, 2012
    530pedalpusher, Mar 7, 2012
    #339
  12. Mar 8, 2012 #340
    Gold_Miner

    Gold_Miner Medium Load Member

    496
    227
    Nov 4, 2011
    Burnet, TX
    0
    Well here are some rules I think helped me move on.

    If you do any of the following you can be disciplined or fired:
    • If you have an inverter in your truck.
    • If you idle more than the company idle policy allows
    • If you exceed 68 MPH going down a hill you can be disciplined. If you exceed 72 mph you can be fired. Even if the speed limit is 85 mph
    • You have to type GOAL and the trailer tag number before you back up everytime. You will be fired if you don't and have a backing accident. You will be displined if you don't do it.
    • If you float gears they can discipline you
    • If you over rev engine
    • If you brake too hard, too many times even if going down lots of hills.
    • You have to send in daily macros to check in.
    • You have to send macros to fuel
    • You can not get off route too much, even if they send you a stupid route.
    • No refrigerators
    • No Pets
    • Forced dispatch
    • etc.
    • etc.
    • etc.

    These are just a few hoops at Swift. I go on an interview on Monday and expect to get an offer. They have two week on and week off schedule. Base salary to start is $1200 per week that yo work. 2010 and newer Peterbuilts, no qualcomm, no logs, in state, no governors on the truck. They are willing to train...
     
    Gold_Miner, Mar 8, 2012
    Gold_Miner, Mar 8, 2012
    #340
    scottied67 and Cochise Thank this.
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