Swift vs....others

Ok, so, I'm not exactly "new" per se, but still a rookie I guess? The 11th of this month will be my 1 year anniversary of driving. Such a long story behind how I got into this career, but won't go into those details for now lol.

So, here's the thing, I started with Swift, went through their academy, and started out as a team driver for the first six months (THAT was a nightmare, I will never ever team again!) Been solo since March and love it. I had a really decent DM until July, he just up and moved to another department and left about 25 drivers hanging being bounced around between other DM's and the FM. I should say, the Dm was decent but flighty. Always made promises he never kept, told me how wonderful and beautiful I am, that if I ever needed anything at all he'd be there for me, well long story short, denied me dedicated route after dedicated route, wouldn't let me have anything regional, basically said I'd always make more staying OTR. So, I stayed OTR, he was relatively good about not sending me to places that scared me (NYC, Detroit, etc) and he understood how it's hard for me to drive at night. Promised consistent miles every week, then would give me 3000 one week and only 1000 the next week.

Ok, fast forward to when he switched departments and the poo hit the fan. Suddenly I was come down on by the fleet manager, constant badgering about idling, constant badgering about how there's nothing in the system about my "comfort zones", and lastly guilt tripping me about not driving at night. I explained to him that it's not that I don't want to drive at night, it's just hard for me to see and back at night. I was basically called a "half driver" by my new DM, and I said explain to me how when I utilize peak hours by getting up and going at 4 or 5 in the morning and not stopping until 4 or 5 in the afternoon it's being a half driver and not making as much pay? He said "it just is" I said well, if I lose money off a check because I'm being SAFE then so be it.

They claim they're no forced dispatch but there's been several times I've told them I don't have the hours or feel safe going somewhere and they try badgering/guilting me into taking the load or as "punishment" will leave me sitting at a truck stop for a day or four. And tell me there's no freight coming out, it's a slow time of year, or slow area, etc. Then want to gripe at me for my idle being high. I'm sorry, I'm a female solo driver, I do not just sit inside a truck stop and talk to random people like they say to do. Turn the truck off, take the keys out, go inside and sit. It's like do YOU go home from the office everyday and turn your A/C off at night? Then the truck I have has two leaks inside. Has never been fixed and been refused another truck, said wait until Fall before things freeze, we'll fix it then or give you something else. I'm sick constantly with a bad cough and pretty sure it's due to mold growing under the floor. Lastly, I'm out 6 to 8 weeks at a time, I go home for 4 days at a time (Cant take more than that or they'll take my truck on the 5th day and give it to someone else whether I have the extra days built up or not)


I'm not bashing on them, as I am grateful for the fact they gave me the start into this industry and as I said, not everything was bad, but I'm to a point now the stress has taken it's toll and I've started shopping around for another company. I know every company has it's pros and cons, but I just feel like with the recent changes in management it's time to find somewhere else and not give them that second year like I had originally planned. Yes, it's been nice having the pay increase, but if they're not giving the consistent promised miles what good does the pay increase do?

So here's what I am curious about, what company out there is really good about consistent miles with decent pay, allows pets, good insurance, and will actually get you home on time when you ask for the home time? Not oh, we'll get you home eventually. Staying out 6 to 8 weeks at a time I can't do anymore, 4 weeks is more ideal to me. Something with no force dispatch, and understanding about not going certain places? I put in a application online to one of those sites on Facebook and had a lot of emails and phone calls, so there's a few that have piqued my interest, but thought I'd ask here as well about some opinions. Thanks in advance

 

Seeing how you're out of Tennessee I recommend Big G Express. Maybe you've seen their Orange and White trucks. Search them on the forum. They have mostly positive things about them and if memory serves me right they can get you home weekly if you choose. Since you hit the magical 1 year Mark you should be qualified for them.

 

Yep I've seen them before, thank you, I'll put them on the list to look into Getting home weekly isn't something I want, I'm good with monthly so I would hope that'd be a good thing in some company's eyes lol

 

Ozark Motor Lines in Memphis is 100% no-touch freight, no NYC, no Canada, trucks have APU's. Don't know about pet policy.

South East Carriers in Lawrenceburg, TN would be my first choice; no Northeast, lots of West coast runs and some drivers making $60K+. Don't know about pet policy.

Navajo Express - trucks have APU and inverter, pet policy, long runs with several terminals. Have one terminal in Jackson, TN and one as far West as Chino, CA.

HO Wolding has a good reputation, but nothing on the website about NYC or pets. They pay practical miles.

Super Service - no forced NYC

 

Oh yeah it's completely optional to stay out longer..In my eyes I'd rather have a company that wants to send me home willingly unless I choose to stay out than to have to pray and do a rain dance that they send me home. I envy you. I'm still at month 9 and it seems time is ticking by slowly now that it's almost time for me to chuck up the dueces lol

 

Don't go to Ozark. She doesnt like driving at night Chinatown. Ozark is mostly night driving for Fed Ex runs

 

Ozark! that was one I was trying to remember to look into. There's a Navajo parked next to me right now actually lol really pretty KW he's driving. I like the idea of having an APU and inverter too. The other two I've never heard of but will look at, thank you

 

Ahhhh good to know

 

LOL! I know that feeling, I was told by my mentor, the first six months are Hell, the second 6 it gets better, and if you stay another year it gets even better, well, I'm kinda waiting for it to get even better but done waiting. Of course it could just be my terminal, but when I called Phoenix they won't let me switch terminals, said I needed to work things out with current terminal, and we'd go from there, yeah I'm not slaving for another 6 months while they 'work it out'

 

I think South East has APU's but not positive. They want 12 mos experience, but doesn't hurt to ask.