Swift Transportation Company, Inc. - Phoenix, Az.

dude sign nothing that will allow them to list you as quiting or you lose your insurance and that's something you need right now.

 

Yeah. I haven't signed anything yet. I got a job offer back home today that sounds promising. Ill be on my week leave but I'll also be doing some interviews for another job. Getting my issues taken care of Tuesday or wendsday and then I'll Know how the new job looks. I really dont want to go back to swift, or any OTR job for that matter. I knew it was temporary when I started but their BS is just too much. And I was in the MIL for six years! I can take the MIL and their occasional BS but not this place. You wouldn't think that they could micro-manage a guy who's pretty much by himself 24/7 but they found a way.

 

It sounds as if you have made your decision to leave trucking during emotional frustration and probably some physical discomfort (medical issues). I haven't read this entire thread, so I maybe speaking out of line. If you an your DM aren't agreeing with hometime (major industry challenge) and policy, try speaking to your Fleet Manager and/or Terminal Manager (maybe you already have). If you still don't feel that your side has been heard and agreeable terms have been reached--call Driver Services in Phoenix. Even though freight is probably "Over-Booked" until Christmas, your loads will significantly diminish in January (Industry Downtime).

If your medical situation is serious enough, try to park your truck in a secured facility, send a "Free Form" message (Mac 0) and seek treatment immediately. Maybe someone can provide relief and/or assist with your medical condition, until you get hometime. Written Doctors Orders/Treatment Plans can carry a lot of weight when presented to the company (hint). They hate liability, especially medical negligence.

Since your prior military, I am sure that the "Chain-Of-Command" is very familiar to you. I am sure you know that you can change your DM and Home Terminal. You don't have to be physically located at a terminal, in order for it to be your Home Terminal. Swift has their share of challenges, but I think they're a good company. I found many terminals to be managed well, but exceptions always exist!

PA Planners always messed with me during my 10 hr. Break, especially when they wanted me to grab a HazMat Load from somewhere and I didn't have the hours. They must of thought that I was rejecting the Pre-Plan Assignment, for Stuff and Giggles. They would call my Cell and hang-up and/or send Qual-Com Messages every couple of hours. I would always need a 34 hr. Re-Start, when those Pre-Plans came in. I hated to reject them, because they were always great miles. My HOS was always in the toilet when the easy money came calling!

One way to keep your assigned truck when you go home, is to get someone (DM or Maintenance) to code it for an Electrical Problem. It can take forever to diagnose an intermittent electrical code! Many ways to "Skin-A-Cat"! Just one idea! Maybe none of this will help, but I tried!

 

I'm based at Phoenix now, I've asked twice to have my home terminal set to Jonestown/Harrisburg and I actually asked while I was there and there is a list as that terminal is clogged like you wouldn't believe.

I told my DM (switched twice so far and this one seems decent.) that I have medical issues I need to attend to and I was going to take a week leave of absence. He said it was no big deal. I asked if I could turn the truck in that Saturday and he said t was fine. Meanwhile they got me running a load and he calls me up asking why I'm moving. I fill him in and be seems speechless about the whole matter. I finally get to Jonestown to turn the truck in and there was no message put in my truck about this on their end but 6 hours later they finally took it. I handed the keys to the DM/FM at the window and told him "here. You can have it.". "are you quitting?" me: "not yet." and I just walk off. I seriously had half a mind to tell THEM to come get their darn truck but I don't need that mess hanging over me.

I'm home at the ER now getting looked at, or waiting to be admitted. Took my week off and getting straightened out.

I just don't have the patience for this trucking thing. I mean doing and living it EVERY hour of EVERY day. I have run this stuff before but only when we needed to move our non-roadable equipment across base or delivering to a maintenance shop the next state over (Texas). I just don't remember really being happy w this job in months. Things have just gone sour. I miss cooking for myself and having the incites of being home every day. I'm prolly not the type to just wander around the country. I have been moved a lot before in the past and I just want to be stable or HAVE something stable. I have three mailing addresses and no idea where I live or even have no idea how to answer that question when asked.

Tired of playing bloody knuckles with the truck. It always wins and I think I broke something this time. Lol (NOT why I'm in the ER. I'll deal w a broken finger/knuckle). That side visor in the truck got beat up pretty good.

Starting out as a civilian sucks. You have ZERO credibility and it's blatantly obvious by who you drive for. Even tho my truck had zero damage to it. Tired of people seeing means a stupid new guy because I adhere to rules and regulations. THAT pisses me off. If I'm doing the speed limit, I will be getting passed by everyone and I am the one who looks like a no0b. Uuugh. Don't get me started. I really hate this job and I tell anyone who asks.

 

Well, if you hate going to work each day then it is time to do something else. I know how that feels, not a good feeling working somewhere you hate. Hope everything works out for you. Good Luck !!

 

I liked how creatively Texas Firefighter thinks. The electrical thing is pure genius...

 

That is good advice. Im thinking less than six mths would make it harder to get another trucking job. Most trucking jobs want you to have atleast 6mths otr experience.

 

In a few weeks i will be in the mix...i have went over the ups and downs over and over...its something i need to do...wanted to for years now.

 

If down the line you end up pulling some rolls of paper out of NM. or for that matter any wear with big rolls of paper, bring a hammer and some nails and 4x4x4 or 4x2x4 or any type of board to nail to the floor of the trailer to keep those big rolls of paper from moving. Don't tell them that
you have been banging holes in to the trailer floor. You might do solo later on if you due well. So always let someone know if you are in the trailer for
any reason, that you can trust. If no one is around put truck trailer back doors up close to a pole, or dock wall on flat ground. Never on any incline.
This is so no one locks you in the trailer by mistake, it can happen.
Keep keys in your pocket also. Chalk the wheel if you can.
(some drivers have been killed between the dock and trailer rolling back over them) I'm just giving out a small sample of some of the stuff that you
might have to deal with down the line. GOOD LUCK !

 

I've hauled plenty of roll paper from the paper mills in Louisiana and Texas. Never had to nail down anything. If your load shifts, it is DRIVER'S LACK OF TALENT (or inablilty to controll the truck).

Here is some tips:
1. Do not tailgate
2. Downshift to a stop
3. Don't slam on your brakes (unless of course of an emergency)
4. Operate at a safe speed
5. When in a city, you need to anticipate a slow down and/or red lights.



Its not freaken difficult. You should have learned this at your Swift Academy.