Swift Gremlins

I've heard the horror stories about Swift. Yet, there are plenty of drivers who have been with them long term and have had a good experience. Also, after being off the road for a very long time, Swift is offering me the opportunity to drive again, where so many of the other companies are not.

 

I understand completely. You are trying to get your foot back into the door. You are willing to deal with whatever. Some people do well at Swift. And some people are happy living in a slum sharing bread with rats and roaches. I wasn't referring to the happy people at Swift. I am referring to all the people who ignored the warnings, went to Swift, and post about how bad things are and how they quit. But since you know what you're getting in bed with, we shouldn't see a thread by you stating how bad of a lay it was being in bed with Swift, and how you quit after 4 weeks, correct?

 

It looks like you get it. I may or may not have a good experience with Swift, I will have to see. This ain't my first rodeo. I did a year with Schneider the first time I drove, it was not a good experience, but I stuck it out and paid my dues. I was on a 6 on 2 off dedicated account. What I found was that I could not get enough miles. I simply adjusted by hardly taking any time off. One time I stayed out 7 weeks. Oh, if I only get 1500 miles a week, you may hear me moan a bit, but I will go on the record as stating I know that is a possibility. The recruiter told me I would average 2500 or week or more, that is fine, I will believe it when I see it. One thing I will say is that I will run all my legal hours every chance I get and maintain my composure when dealing with my contacts at Swift, the shippers and the receivers. I have stamina and can persevere.

 

One thing I am keeping in mind is that in spite of what we hear, Swift does have some long term drivers that are happy.

 

then don't post any more biotching about Swift, wrong dates, or whatever...how's about that..???

you were warned (as so many others have been) and the first thing that does not go YOUR WAY, you cry about Swift, and wanting to leave...

As far as (I, we) know, we have the right to express OUR opinions and thoughts when someone comes here biotching, about something we tried our best to steer one away from.

 

I do get it. It happened to me. Was an old heavyhauler that quit driving with no intentions of ever driving again. Suddenly, the housing business went to Hell, and I had a few days to move to keep money flowing. I was trying to get back into a flatbed gig, but no one would touch me because I was off road for 7 years. Swift called and offered me a flatbed gig. They called on a Thursday. I went to orientation the following Monday. They were just a toehold because my plan from the beginning was to jump ship as soon as a specialized company would take me. I was with Swift less than 6 months. I actually liked their flatbed division. The truck was set at 65, with a 10 speed and she would PULL!

Not being a rookie gave me an advantage. First day orientation, I volunteered to go first in the driving test. They tested us on a 9 speed. The students were all nervous. I told them, "Standard H, 1-2-3-4 click to highside 1-2-3-4. Super easy." Didn't even try to double clutch. Had to ride with a godlike trainer that had been driving for less than a year. I didn't care, I wasn't there to make friends. I wouldn't be there long enough to make friends.

I'd always worked for the smaller companies, and never seen the meat grinder firsthand, so it was a learning experience. I always tell students to be ready to work. Most of them show up to orientation unprepared. They'd go through orientation then have to go back home. I didn't I sat in the motel lobby waiting for a trainer. The sooner I get through the trainer circus, the sooner I get my own truck. I'm old school vampire. I was used to driving 14 hour days, and so that 11 hour crap was easy for me. Students dread about staying in the saddle for so long, and I was trying to figure out how to stack the odds in my favor. I didn't speak much to the trainer, because I would run my 11 straight. Rode with a trainer for 3 weeks, and got my truck. Right near quite a few of their contract shippers, a planner will have an office. I'd walk into the planners office and ask them what they had available. They'd show me all the loads they had available and would let me pick one. Cool!

Point is, I knew it was a Hole going in. But I had an immediate goal, and the fastest way at that point meant for me to go play in the Hole. I wasn't looking for a career, or a 'home' or respect. "This is just a toe stop. I don't care who owns the company, what their mission statement is, how many trucks they have, being on anyone's list." I got in, I got out. I think I talked to the dispatcher twice.

(To no one specific)

Someone comes in here asking about Swift. They say they did their research and how they talked to a recruiter (as soon as someone says recruiter, bow out of the conversation. There is no point in trying to compete against the incredible sunshine injection in the arse that recruiters give). Everyone tells him that he can do better. A month down the line, the person starts a thread about how badly their experience was at Swift.

Waitaminute...I thought that you did all kinds of research, and you were educated and intelligent, and you actually argued with the people who told you not to go there. What good is research and education and intelligence if you cannot figure out how to use it to benefit yourself? Everything you read about, everyone you talked to, told you that Swift was a Hole. Now you start a thread about how badly you were treated and why everyone should avoid the Hole? With the way your brain processes information, it's a wonder how you were ever potty trained.

 

i say so as well, and agree with you 1000%.

but no one will ever learn, will they...????

hey, at least we got jobs, and paid "our dues" to get it done and move on to greener pastures. today's "entitlement generation" will always live by the creed, "i want it my way all the time.....as i am so very spayshell"

 

I guarantee you have not heard all the horror stories about Swift. Those stories are endless.

Plenty of people have been in prison a long time; it does not mean they have a good experience.

Swift still has 100% turnover, which is a improvement from the 130-140% they had before the recession hit. 100% of the people cannot be wrong.