I do 70 mph as an average.....I get 7 Mpg on a 550 hp Cummins.... Just stay to the right in the Granny Lane...and we'll get along fine......
Interesting comment. I can definately see truth in this. BUT, having read the negative things other drivers say about their companies, with a very few exceptions, like Mercer & FedEx and Raven, I'm gonna stick it out!!! If anyone knows of a better company to work for or a better way to make a good living in trucking, please let us KNOW!
I've been with Swift for over 6 years. The company has greatly improved in all areas. The greatest improvement has happened over the last three years, ever since Richard Stocking took over as company president. The downturn in freight caused Swift to focus on operations and to get rid of the cowboy deadwood, hold driver managers accountable for driver HOS violations, and focus on safer operations. As an O/O I am required to have a DOT annual inspection done on my tractor every 90 days. My DM does a monthly log audit, checked against the qual comm. You might get away with a 15 min slide here and there, but the abuses of a few years ago are gone. If you follow the blogs and posts of students going to Swift, you just don't see a lot of negative about the company. I'm not seeing a lot of wrecked Swift truck pictures either. I'm not saying that Swift is a perfect company (however all my payroll checks have deposited on time) but it is a much better company than it was in the past. Sadly, there are some drivers who don't adjust to change and continue to obsessively berate Swift. They will continue to do so, until the day comes that they really need a job, and Swift will give them their last best chance.
Thats exactly what I observed! When the recession hit and gas prices are at $4.76gal, the badmouthing stopped! I wonder how many of the bad mouthers were applying to SWIFT for work!!! You know, my Dad always taught me to go against the crowd. The herd is most often wrong, he would tell me. Truth is, SWift is a good company to work for and I have found success here! What kind of miles are you getting a week? Have you seen a definate pickup in freight? I'm thinking that with CSA2010, lots of drivers will be eliminated and coupled with the expected rise in freight, there will be a shortage of drivers in the coming months and years. Hopefully wages will start to rise!
I drive a dedicated account and usual go to the same two stores twice a week, so my miles haven't varied at all. I drive almost 2000 miles a week, but because all of the miles are counted as loaded and the loads are very light I make good money. Freight must have picked up, I no longer have to vulch a bobtail spot at the terminal. Miles per truck at the Sumner terminal have definetly gone up. Average truck miles had dropped to slightly under 8K and now seem to be in the mid 8's. About 3 years ago that number would have been in the low 9's. I think the most telling thing is the new tractors (mainly ProStars, but I have seen a new T-660) and new trailers.
I have also heard of construction companies taking out secret life insurance policies on some of their workers. It's typically the young inexperienced workers they are looking to cover. They drill safety into like crazy at the tailgate meetings but push you to get the job done yesterday ten minutes later all the while hoping you die so they'll cash in $1 million. I have to wonder if trucking companies might be in the profit business when new drivers die out there....
I must say this is all very interesting..And on some level most is true..But from someone who, up untill a month ago was a company driver for Swift. I was with them for 3 years as a solo, team, regional and dedicated. Each of those had it's challenges. I am by no means a young buck nieve to the ways of the world. I am 50, been married for 28 years father of 3. With that being said, Any company and I do mean ANY company, is only as good as it's management. In my travels have seen many drivers young and old do very strange things. I even saw a driver (not swift) with his portable dvd player on his dash watching a movie while driving "at night". Another driver blocking the Cat scale while he got some Wendys. The driver he blocked was me, 15 minutes waiting to exit scale. Once again not a Swift driver. So I have come to the conclusion that these "driver mill" companines seem to be more intersted in warm bodies in a seat than getting "lean & mean" with good common sense drivers. Sad part is I have spent the last month on the internet and phone looking for another driving job. I have a clean DAC and MVR. But either I don't live in the right zip code or I'll have to settle for one of "THOSE" companies..If so I guess might have to go with what I know and get back in a big white Swift truck..
Is your reason for leaving Swift something you would be willing to share with us? Not trying to get into you business, but if it was something you could tell us wannabes about, I'd appreciate it. If I go with carrier-training, Swift, by default, has to be on my list.
Well , I have no problem with sharing why I left. As I said I was with them for 3 years,and I only have two issues yes only 2. Issue #1 In that three years I rarely turned down a load, Have zero service failures, does not mean I was always on time just always sent a message if load was going to be late for any reason, Passed every log audit and DOT inspection ( even NY and CA). only 2 very minor mishaps with a trailer. Even working real hard being safe and legal I always felt I had to keep prooving myself. At some point I feel a driver should move from rookie to at least intermediate and be treated as such. I had a real good driver manager but they can only do so much. Issue #2 involves my hometime, being from Michigan not always home on time, (sometimes early sometimes a day or two late) not a big deal I accepted that it went with the job. i was usally out 18-20 days which would get me 3 days home. After 3 years of getting my 3 days, was thrown a curve, I delivered on Wendsday home 1600 set my time available for sunday 0800, DM called and said I could'nt be home that long. Only allowed 72 hrs. wow news to me. I told her I worked Wed.. should'nt count and coming out Sun. that to should'nt count, Well one thing led to another and in the heat of the moment said I was taking an extended vacation and would turn my truck in Friday. I was suprised when noone made any attempt to discuss this with me, even with a record like mine. So just gave DM truck keys and left. I always got good miles and pay. My last paycheck was near $1000 after taxes that includes a restart mid week. Swift held nothing from last check nor messed with my DAC. They are a solid company. Just wish could be better managed. "Cause a company is only as good as it's management. Last but not least if you are just starting with Swift I'll tell you make the qualcom your friend trust me.