OK, got a date for orientation for a new job with a different company in Chicago, IL doing Intermodal. How do you put in your notice? Should I just call my DM right now and put in my notice? Just need to make 100 percent sure since I'm way down here in Decatur, GA and make sure I'll be able to drive like I usually do until I go home for the last time with Swift. Don't want them to tell me to find your own way home from Georgia. I'm sure they won't, but I just need to be sure. Just need to know the best way to leave Swift on good terms.
If it were me, I would do this when on home time with the truck at the proper Terminal and under no load assignments. I have never given notice to a trucking company myself mostly cause I want to be at home (or new companies location) and sure of it, most of the managers I have worked with in the past told me its the best way in this business to just quit this way. You can be victimized on the road via low miles, abandoned, or they may just bring you in to the yard and fire you for something in the meantime. You still quit on good terms and can be rehired (quit and been rehired with a few) as long as you let them know you are quitting and turned in the equipment properly.
I left Swift for a local job about a year and a half ago. I was honest with my DM and gave 12 days notice (as much as I had). Since it was Feb (low freight month) we agreed to a 2 day notice and I started my new job early. I'm still on friendly terms with Swift and my old friends there. I still point newbees their way on occasion (telling it straight, no sugar coating). I'd say it's up to you and how you get along with your DM. I feel I have to give 2 weeks notice.
I never bought into that 2 week notice thing. Coming from construction industry, it is not uncommon to work for several companies during the year - and they hardly ever give fair warning with laying you off. If I ever had a better job offer, (closer to home, job I'm on is about done, next job is a 24 month deal etc) I would just not show up and they would mail my final checks to me. When I went 2nd seat with an O/O, I just cleaned out my truck at home terminal, laoded my crap on his truck right next to it and took the keys in and turned them in to my DM.
I quit last week. Here is what happened. I had applied elsewhere. I got a call and did my physical/workwell test. I had a load to pick up in Shelbyville and Tcall in Memphis (my home terminal.) I dropped the load. And put the truck in the shop. I drove home 3hrs. I got 3 calls from my DM the next day, but I had my ringer off because I was sleeping. I sent her an email after hours about doing some dedicated then she found out that I'd applied somewhere else. I told her I'd get back to her. When I found out I had the new job, I told her that it had been a pleasure working with her; she replied, "If things don't work out at your new job, you're welcome back." She said she would be sending my exit interview papers. Dude, people leave Swift all the time without notice. They expect it. Plus when the other companies call to check your references, DMs find out. Eagle had called. Good Luck!
OK, thanks for the input. Guess the general consensus then is to wait until I get back to my terminal before I give them the news.
I would try and play it to where I finish orientation at the new place and get coded before quitting. Basicallt what I did. Stuff happens in orientation. You might not like what you hear! My new company wants to rehire a guy who quit them. He thought the grass was greener. After orientation he didn't like what he heard. He didn't show for the drug test. It wan't the test. The new company sucked. They dinged his DAC and he has filed suit.
Well, I called and told them what I was doing. He said all I had to do was sign a voluntary resignation form before I handed in my keys and permit book, so it was pretty painless. Besides, it sounded like if something happened, all I have to do is call back like I could just jump right back in. Hopefully with my miles reset. I was so far from getting out of bronze, I had to make a change.
Good deal. I have been waiting for almost 2 weeks for my papers. I have emailed my DM several times. Said she was going to email them and I could print them and fax them. I got tired of waiting and told her to mail them.
