Same here when I started out, my loads were light. This was for them to see how well I did things ie like planning, following trip routs.. After that I was given more miles, it is a slow process. I never had to slip seat period.. Twice I had to leave for a couple of weeks.. The first my wife was in the hospital. My truck stayed in Fontana terminal. Next we had a funeral at home, my truck with trailer stayed at my house things take time. If he has that much experience how come he went to a start up company? I also can tell you, that just because you have XX amount of experience, that doesn't mean you know how to drive.. I have seen this many times with guys who have come to my current company with more yrs behind the wheel than me.. Always bragging how they been driven xx amount of yrs, and end up being the first to get fired for things like getting into a accident..
My husband calls every few hours from about 9am til midnight. I hear from him more now that I did when he used to drive. He DID inquire about t-calling, delivering early, etc. The DM decided to ignore him until he left for the weekend so the weekend dispatch couldn't/wouldn't do anything. He accepted the load because we needed the miles for the first paycheck and he had already shown Swift that he can run (as fast as the truck will let him) with a previous load that he delivered early. He has already 'scratched their back' by bringing a crappy truck to them that someone abandoned nearby. Sad thing is, if they'd called him the day it was abandoned he'd have been out an extra week already. Instead they waited a week and a half before telling him about it. So yeah. I'm gonna kick & scream cause these people don't give a #### about their drivers. We can't complain too much since he did get about 2100+ miles his first week out. We were shooting for 2300 but that looks like it might happen this next pay period. Already dispatched on a 911 mile load from Amarillo to Alabama that delivers tomorrow (got the dispatch/load this a.m.).
The only way you can get out of Bronze status is to have a certain amount of miles. That's about 90 days worth if I remember correctly. So, they want you on the plan for that long and you can NOT get off of it until the miles are met. However, hubby decided to stay out 3 weeks to maximize his driving time.
Uga, in this case I would wait another couple of months and see if things pick up for him. If after a few months thongs haven't gotten any better then maybe he could have a sit down with the his dm and express his concerns. I can tell you that if he isn't already, he needs to be careful about what he says about swift on the road. If he takes your approach and openly bashes swift it most likely will get back to people he works with. I have heard that Jerry looks like any other trucker and has fired more than one person he overheard bashing his company. Just a heads up. Just give it time, then express concerns in a professional manner to the appropriate people.
Wow, 1 load and 1 favor and you expect the heavens to open and angels to fall at your feet. I get that he has prior experience, but none with Swift. Your husband is at a "Starter Company" because he is starting over in the industry and as such he has to earn his stripes all over again. With 5 years experience it shouldn't take long for Swift and his DM to figure out what kind of driver he is and plan him accordingly. That doesn't sound like too bad of a first week, especially if it is only 200 miles off your weekly goal. And, if this is you not complaining too much, I would hate to see you on a roll...
UGA, Just a thought. If your husband is a real hustler, he could do very good at WEL. just a thought..............
I drive a JB hunt truck and now I got all these Swift drivers passing me. I'm governed at 62 when I left Swift I was governed at 62. What is it about 62, is there some reason why it's like the meaning of life plus 20 I guess that's why if you're going down a hill faster than that you will die off of an offramp or something like in those Tennesse left lane ones.
Dunno but if you see a big white freight liner with Texas Longhorns on each side that would be me showing you my hiney as I pass by you!! Not all Swift trucks are set at 62
