My Swift Adventure

Mr. Dick Jones asked about my new sig pic in another thread and I didn't want to hijack. The pic was taken during my imprisonment in Phoenix. I have chronicled that experience already so I will just add that the pic was taken at the pull-off that I was in front of the mine in Ray, AZ. I am kinda amazed at how the pic came out... not bad for a cell phone.

The second pic is looking to where the town of Ray, AZ was circa 1958. I also emailed the second pic to my DM with the story about Ray, AZ. Shockingly I got no response to that message either.

 

1/03/11

I am starting to think I should be shopping for Real-Estate in Denver. Looks like I am going to be here for a while. I feel a case of Deja-Vu coming on. It is a colder version of being stuck in Phoenix the week before X-mas. As of yesterday there were supposedly 170 drivers in Denver trying to get loads out. My PTA keeps being set back by "The Computer" which is starting to annoy me. I got put on Safety Hold this morning for LCQT which I already did 11/22 and 11/23 in Memphis. My "wonderful" DM took care of that little issue after a phone call from me. Then he messaged me to inquire about a 1-on-1 log class. Since I have ZERO log violations I messaged him for an explanation and he told me that they would be able to tell when they pulled up "The Screen" but he couldn't see any reason for one either. The guy that does them was unavailable so here I sit in the PornStar. Walked to WalMart, well really past WalMart and around the huge parking lot/shopping complex then to WalMart.

I seriously considered a trip to Home Depot but thought twice when I realized that most of what they sell can be used as a weapon and that would only help me to get "semi-permanately housed at tax-payer expense" in Denver. The unfortunate part is I could actually make more money stamping out license plates than I can "Driving" The PornStar.

F' Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1/03/11 again

Alright, where are the cameras? This has to be an episode of candid camera. My "Lovely" DM informed me, at 4:35 PM, that I am on Safety Hold for a 1-on-1 log class. I have ZERO log violations and even Phoenix Safety can't tell me why I am on Safety Hold. I was told to call Kevin Ingram in the morning to find out what is going on. I asked if my DM should know to call Kevin to find out what is up. She said yes and to mention that to Kevin when I talk to him. I also will be placing a call to my FM in the morning to discuss the problems with my DM. When I explained my situation to my DM and the fact that this is the second time that I have been stuck somewhere for 4+ days in the month I have been driving without compensation. He simply said "That isn't my fault". Pretty sh1tty response for someone who, according to the "Driver Manager and Dispatch Expectations" portion of my Swift Driver Manual, is supposed to be in-charge of getting me loads and my Liaison to every other department of Swift. In other words, it is ABSOLUTELY his fault that his job isn't being done unless I do it for myself.

I told him that if he wanted the keys to my truck that bad to just tell me and I would give them to him. He said "We don't want that", but what else is he going to say? I cannot provide for my family making $75 dollars a week after taxes and deductions. Something has to give and it may just be my patience. I came into this saying I would stay with Swift for at least a year but hoped it would work out well enough to be a long term job. It doesn't look like I will make it to the 2 month mark if the crap doesn't take a drastic turn for the better.

I run as many hours as I can legally in a day, sweep every trailer I come in contact with, have never been late for a P/U or Delivery unless held up hunting down an MT or held up at a shipper and have done my Mac 22 everytime and never received a Service Failure, I keep my truck clean, take pride in what I do, and have made repairs to more than a few trailers along the way, but all I get is sh1t on every step of the way. I will see what Kevin and Brian have to say in the morning but it is looking more and more like I either need a new DM or a new employer. I'll try the new DM route first and go from there.

 

I have heard of that happening to a couple of friends here at Swift. I hopefully will get some answers when I talk to Kevin in the morning. I don't want to quit but they seem to not want to give me a choice. With any luck I can get the situation resolved with Kevin and Brian, maybe even get me a new DM.

I find it funny that everything I have heard about night and weekend dispatchers is negative, especially in Memphis, but they have been the most helpful to me by far. They actually respond to QC messages and give me answers in a timely fashion.

 

1/04/11

A little good news today. I talked to Kevin Ingram this morning and cleared up the Safety Hold issue. Turns out that all upgrading drivers are required to do a "phone in" log class/ review. Within 3 minutes of talking to Kevin, I got a call from Grizz. We went over my logs to date and found to 11, 14, 70 hour violations. The only issue he could find was a "questionable speed" from 12/20 that was the result of short spurt interstate driving that he wasn't concerned about... #### 7 minute rule. Kevin also said he would "have a talk" with my DSSC (?) and my DM about why I was allowed to go on Safety Hold for this.
I also left a message for my FM, who's name I got from Phoenix last night, asking him to call me when he gets a chance regarding issues I am having with my DM and his "managing". I guess we will see how things unfold from here. If I don't get a return call by tomorrow afternoon I will place a call to Phoenix and find out what my next course of action should be.

Viva la adventure!!!!!

ETA- Got a call from FM and discussed my concerns. He said he will look into it, talk with DM, and possibly route me in for a face-to-face. Supposed to get a follow up call when he has finished his "investigation".

 

I hope this crap doesn't last a year!!!

 

I agree 110%... not looking to move on just don't want to put my family on the street just to prove a point.