Swift and hometime...can you take your hometime anywhere with enough advance notice?

I have never gotten home earlier than 3 days AFTER the date I had requested to be home. I've been over a week late a time or two.

 

I have not missed a requested day in my entire year at Swift. But I am extremely proactive when my hometime is coming up. My driver manager knows that I realize that I may have to take a couple of short runs when it is approaching because I don't want to be too far from where I am scheduled. Again, this is just my story - I hear other drivers say that they never seem to get what they request. I don't know whether or not it is dumb luck.

One thing that I can say is that I have NEVER complained about a run. I have told the driver manager and the team leader that my #1 issue is hometime. I don't care if I get stuck on a short run....food load (they suck)....city shuttles or whatever. Just get me home on time. I know drivers that complain about not wanting to do anything less than 500 miles and still expect their hometime to come when they want it. I can make this suggestion - determine what is MOST important to you and let the DM know. Usually they will work with you. Regardless of what you may see or hear in advertising ---- IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THE BEST HOMETIME AND THE HIGHEST PAY. Picture a see-saw with hometime on one end and pay on the other. All you need to do is find a balance that makes you happy.

 

Not a big fan of running in the east. Shorter runs, bigger hills = Less time putting miles on the truck. Give me an Ohio to Texas load any day.

 

That is why I stated that everyone needs to know their "individual" hot point. Mine in certainly hometime. I will sacrifice money to be home exactly when I say I need to be, but I also understand that I WILL sacrifice money to be home exactly when I say I need to be. Individual choices.

 

I am usually pretty flexible with my requests, within one day. I usually ask for a Monday and back out on a Friday. This gives me a chance to get some miles before the cut off and get some more when back out. Usually enough miles to cover the payment and still see a decent check.

 

i worked for swift for 6 months never had any issues always home every 12 days right on schedule but had a great