Swift...... I enjoy my job

I have read the horror reviews on here about my company (Swift) and if its ok id like to share some of the things ive noticed in the last 2 months. Now I understand that I have not seen everything there is to see in the last 2 months, but I also know that ive seen what I feel is alot in this time.

My observation is that Swift is a BIG company. So big that it makes me a little nervous because I am just one man (driver) in a company that has around 15,000 +/- trucks. You hear alot from defferent people that "your just a number" to them. And in some ways I cant help but understand that. Like I said earlier, there are over 15,000 drivers alone, let alone all of the office staff that are employeed with them. I hear people talking about how low the pay is, so I look at other "starter" companies out there and Swift is right there with them in terms of cents per mile. Fact is, when my grandfather used to truck, companies were paying about 21-22 cpm and do the resarch on the mega companies and their starting pay today. They are ALL around 25-27 cpm., give or take a little here and there. Warner "promises" 30 cpm till you show up to orientation and then they tell you that your not gonna get but 25-26 cpm.

The equipment is nice compared to some of the other compaies that ive seen. I trained in a brand new Pro Star, and am now solo in a 2006 volvo. My Volvo has a little over 450,000 miles on it but it is STILL a nice truck. They let me wash it when it gets dirty and it shines up as good as new. I know from experience that there will never be a defect on my truck that swift will not fix. Everytime I have seen any of our shops put in action, they get your truck fixed and out the door.

I have read threads on here about the poor drivers that people see on the road. Well, I cant speak for every driver in Swift but I have seen PLENTY of O/O's with their bullet proof Peterbuilts ect. that were what seemed like litteraly inches from other trucks and 4-wheelers back bumpers trying to push them out of the way, because apparently their time was more important than every one elses on the road. I have seen drivers from every company just about, screwing up in some way shape or fashion, and not considering other drivers while on the road. And God help the poor soul that is going to get mauled over in the truck stop one day by some of these Owner Opperators who think they are in a nextel cup race, just to SLAM on the breaks at the fuel isle, or even the ones who shoot through the fuel isle at 15+. I work for Swift and some of our drivers are miles ahead of some of these other folkes as far as safety is concerned.

Fact is, we all have our bad days. We all have our "brain farts" for lack of better words when it comes to driving. Some people are just BAD drivers, and they will eventually be weeded out. But to say that ALL Swift drivers are bad, just shows that you are very shallow minded and dont know some of the people I know that work with Swift who are very safe drivers.

As far as the companies concerned, to me it has been a good one so far. A few communication problems at times but hey, noones perfect. I told my manager I wanted to get home and he got me home. When I am working, the only time my wheels stop is when I am out of hours for the day (which is what I want). I can go slower if I want, but I dont want to. Swift dont run me in the ground, they give me loads, when I tell them I want them. When I need rest, I stop. My manager and the other staff have been helpfull and have assisted me in every task ive asked them about. I get paid what I am due, on the day im supposed to.

Does Swift have its flaws? Im sure. But im not so nieve to think that there is a company out there that dose'nt! With 15,000+ people your not going to make everyone happy. And lets be honest, truckers can be hard to impress at times anyway. Ive talked to some people who dont even TRY to see the good in anything. If you gave them a brand new car, the 1st thing they would do is gripe about how they hate the color! ! ! And then they'd post it on the truckers report.com LOL

Didnt mean to get on a huge tangent about this, but I cant stand constant negativity. Especially when you start putting me and some of my friends in your little "loosers" category when I personally know that I and my friends are good drivers. And I would go a step farther and call us excellent rookie drivers.

We all have our faults, so instead of not seeing your own and writting about everyone elses. Try helping out the ones who you think need it. Think of what you could do for someone elses moral if you would stop criticizing them and start helping them. Its not hard, and it normally doesnt take much time.

As I type this last part I think back to a driver that helped me the other day by simply knocking on my door and telling me that I had left my fuel cap off. He didnt have to but he took the time. He could have done like many others would have and watched me turn out of the truck stop and spill fuel everywhere and had a good laugh. But he didnt. When I told him thank you, he said to me "not a problem, were out here to help each other". I immediately told him "I wish everyone looked at our career that way" and I gave him a firm hand shake and we went our sepperate ways.

Without going any farther I just want it know that I enjoy working for Swift. I am thankful that Swift saw me and took a chance on yet anoter rookie. I made a promise to the Lord when I was looking for a job that who ever hired me I would not make them sorry and that I would do everything possible to be their best employee. I start every day with a positive attitude and rarely have a "normal" day anymore. But I have a job, with a stable company, and they pay me to do a job that I enjoy. Based on my experience so far, Swift is an awsome company to work for.

Thanks for reading

Daniel
"Wrong Way"
Memphis, TN