Swift drivers, sound off

I like the terminals that do a maintenence check on every truck and trailer that comes in, as long as there are enough mechanics working to keep us moving through in a timely manner. I went through the quick lane at Columbus a few days ago and was told that they now are required to do a DOT inspection on everything that comes in, but they have no extra people to do this. Inspections are good, but more bodies are needed to do them. Otherwise our already slow shops are going to be even slower.

I would like to see exercise equipment in the driver lounges. Phoenix is the only place I've seen this. I sent in one of those quality assurance postcards requesting it, and was told there was not enough space and they couldn't afford it. OK, I get it, not many would use it anyway, but how about one used item from a garage sale stuck in a corner? Would that be so hard to accomplish?

Lastly, a "do not disturb" Macro. I had this with a previous company, so the technology is available. I, the driver, could send in a Macro with the time I planned to be up the next day, and the QC would hold my messages until that time so I wouldn't be disturbed by a bunch of beeps while trying to sleep. Think about it- if Swift called you in the middle of the night just to say "Hey, when you come into work tomorrow, we want you to do such and such. Oh, you can't do that? OK, go on back to sleep, we'll call you again in about 20 minutes." then you'd be a little irritated, wouldn't you? But as the system stands, the planners have no idea when I'm sleeping, so it's not really their fault. By this point, I usually don't wake up to the beep anymore, but I've often woken up to find a preplan or two that was put on me in the night and then taken off again when I didn't respond. Kind of a waste of time for the planners, isn't it?

 

Another item would be if a driver has been out 3 weeks and is sent a pplan that is going away from the house so he will be out longer but getting miles, it would be nice to know that when he does get home, out 4 weeks, home 4 days, without the threat of losing his truck. He helped out, so how about a reward. Let him keep his truck if it is parked at a terminal.

 

I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread.

I'm not asking you to make a public statement but please send me a pm explaining to me why I should trust you with expressing my concerns to the company. Also in that pm please explain why I can trust you with not reporting what is said on this thread and those who say it as troublemakers. You see, we talk openly on this forum and it's not at all difficult to find each of us within the Swift team.

However, you've kept your identity secret. I'm having a bit of a problem with that.


Thanks so much for your time.

 

Ms. Nana: PMing you now.

 

Why thank you Injun! I saw a truck the same color of yours over at the Phoenix terminal this morning. Thankfully I remembered to look for the logo on the door and didn't just jump up and chase it through the fuel line. LOL

 

Do something about the Slocala terminal - nepotism Ott not be happening

 

Im no longer with swift but think some great points have been made and some not so great

1. On the trailer cleaining issue, if i grabbed an empty and it had to be swept or th worse case washed out, i would send my DM a msg and would get paid $18 to sweep it out, if it had to be washed i would get paid empty miles to the closest truck wash and get a PO# to get it washed out..

2. The maint. issue, i can really only talk about trailers as the truck was mine, but the Sparks and Lewiston term were really good about checking trailers while tcalled or empty in the yard, if their was a light or tire problem they would always fix it right away.... if i broke down on the road blow out or air line or what ever break down wasn't always as fast as i would have liked but they always got back to me and had a soultion set up ( i was never asked to limp a trailer to a shop, i did volunteer to do it a few times but that is a personal call)

3. I agree the bariers between the lounge and the office needs to be taken down, and get rid of the hostility between the office and the drivers, an open door policy and solutions to common problems in place would stop alot of the bad mouthing of the company, what is the office really affraid of? just seems childish to me

4. The mentors really need to be watched more closly, you all know when that truck is rollin or sittin, a new driver is not a second log book or a paycheck, that person deserves to be taut how to drive safely, they are not responsible for paying the debts of the mentor

5. Get the drivers home when they need to be their! if a driver says I need to be home on this date and has gave atleast a week notice get them their.. i hear this complaint alot from swift drivers and if they are not happy they may not come back.

 

I know what I am going to do instead of trying to fix it. I have a feeling I will be quiting soon.

 

Good luck in your future endeavors. I hope you find a company more t your liking. With little experience, you will have to go with another "starter" company. You may not like the results.

 

I just dont fit in here. I dont look homeless, weigh 300+, and I shower. Already did research on the company i want to go to they are picky and dont take everybody.