New raise 2015

Quick question for those of you complaining about actual versus paid miles. How many of you are paying for fuel or are you a company driver?

 

Well, this is the generation of enlightenment after all.

Oh, wait! I misspoke.
This is the generation of entitlement, to be sure.

Everyone is entitled to everything, and without having to earn or work for it.
They are 'owed', simply because they are alive.


When I was growing up it was the 'Age of Aquarius' that was coming.
The enlightened. (Yes, we were idealistic dreamers.)
That has not happened.
Quite the opposite, in fact.


Paid vs. actual miles, forced dispatch, 62 limit, controlling downhill speeds, idle times, safety ratings... and on and on.

We CHOSE to be employed here!
We chose to put our eggs in this basket, with the largest trucking company in the U.S., with the biggest accounts and the most freight - because we saw some kind of opportunity here.
Just a little bit of research would have shown anyone what to expect.

Instead of griping about things, learn the system to best use it to your own advantage.
There is plenty of leeway here, which can not be said of many other companies.
Or you can leave to 'greener' pastures, which may turn out to be brown and dry.


I've been here over 4 years. I have seen first hand the paid vs. actual all too often and experienced other things I was not crazy about.
But Swift has made several positive steps in the right direction in the past couple years. (Plus-1 not withstanding)

 

Accepting risk on the lanes ... mileage pay evens out the bumps in differential between lanes. Swift makes a killing on some lanes, takes a big loss on other lanes ... no matter what the O/O will make a profit regardless of what Swift gets on a given lane .... right now about 70% to75% of what Swift takes in goes back out to the O/O ... pretty much in line with Schnieder and Landstar. The difference is drivers for those companies have the ability to cherry pick lanes and the smart ones can do it very profitably.

Now to pay like Landstar and Schnieder ... O/Os will have to take on some of the same risks that O/Os for those companies do ... some fixed cost such as base plates,tolls and trailers.

But more importantly if Swift gives you the flexibility to get your own loads and get your own rates, do you have the wherewithal to bet on yourself and manage your loads to maximize your revenue and in turn Swifts revenue?

Go to a percentage model and Swift takes their cut off the top, no loss for them on any lane. But you will eat the loss if you don't cover your costs. More risk ... do it right and you can put more in your pocket ... do it wrong?