Drivers...especially new drivers...need to understand how the planners do their job. Planners don't have time to check the available hours for each and every truck that the computer brings up for the load(s) in the planning area. The computer works by showing the planner the trucks closest to the assignment load and sorts it by PTA and team/solo truck status. This list of trucks shows on a screen associated to the load by proximity, closest ETA and closest PTA. the computer digests the information put into the system by all the trucks and then "advises" the planners of the "best fit" for the assignment. Each planner is working with over 1,000 trucks in the area, and however many loads have been sent into the system by CSR's and Sales. Along with other brokers and trucking companies who have agreements with Swift to help cover over contracted loads....(the reason you can see one company truck pulling another companies trailer)... As I started to say...planners don't have the "luxury" of checking the ETA/PTA of each truck in their planning area. this is what a DM is supposed to do...check their fleet and their ETA/PTA's and advise different planners on the specific needs of each of the DM's fleet...especially if there is one truck that has true needs to get to some appointment or agreement. This is where the driver needs to be pro-active with the accuracy of the information he/she puts into the Qcomm as far as ETA/PTA...it benefits both the driver and the company. The system is actually very good, but of course not perfect...each driver needs to pay attention to "gliches" in his/her "flow". If not "flowing" smooth...then get a sit down with your DM and if nothing changes...then a sit down with BOTH the DM and FM with the driver is needed. Don't leave the DM out of the FM discussion...this will just cause friction and the problem could get worse. If after this "3 way" discussion things don't improve...then a DM change is probably needed...again the "3 way" discussion to accomplish this...but keep it civil, it does no good at all to get in someone's face with anger. I would highly advise any driver to accept our OP's offer to swing by and SEE first hand how the system works. Guessing and listening to hearsay gossip about the workings will not help...but seeing it in action and being able to ask questions and get honest "exampled" answers is always the best source of knowledge.
Haha well I dont use it very much anymore. When I send messages to drivers, I am looking for macro 9, 22, or 54 haha
That is a very good point. There are some in the company willing to act on solutions, and others that are not. I am proud to say that most people I work with in Memphis, including the TM, are open minded and will listen to ideas from other people, including drivers.
The more experienced drivers at Swift are an invaluable asset for new drivers. I believe management knows, as well as anyone, what the major and most recurring problems are for new drivers. It would be nice to get training "tidbits" over the qualcom on a regular basis. This info could come from experienced drivers. I understand that safety has to be at the forefront of any training but it would also be helpful to get other info that would make a new driver's life easier. For instance, an experienced driver could offer advice on some of the more effective ways to work with stubborn tandem release arms/locking pins. Or, maybe some do's and don'ts with respect to trip planning. Or, maybe someone from the shop could explain how to correctly set up and use the Webasto heaters. These are just a few things and there are certainly more pressing issues facing new drivers but I've gotta believe that providing useful information will not only solve a few problems but will also foster a better attitude in new drivers. (How is idle time computed? The "over idle" percentage on the qualcom is so up and down it's virtually impossible to know where we stand... or am I just missing something obvious?)
Those are some good ideas. Its something that I will mention to my boss when I see him again. As for idle percentages... erm... I have no clue. I dont deal with any of that. You would get a better answer to that from your DM or FM.
OK, perhaps I was out of line. Perhaps not. The way I read his post lead me to believe something that may have been in error. In any case, on a personal level it does not matter to me what goes on, as I'm not in the game anymore. And of course I never did work for SWIFT. OTOH, I still have an interest in trucking. And in what is happening out there in the driver's daily lives. I am glad that he is here as well, and I certainly don't want to insult him. He has put some good info out here, and I hope he continues to do so.
Mr. BigDon, I wasn't addressing you. There are a couple of Swifties here who are trying to hold Shrek's feet to the fire over various issues he may or may not have any control over when all he's trying to do is give us a look at Swift from inside the building. I believe if the relationship between drivers and office staff wasn't so adversarial, we would have a more solid company.
