Swifts Reputation

Normally I stay out of the Swift arguments, but I am going to break my own policy here just to make one point.

There are drivers who claim anyone happy with Swift or any "bottom feeder" must be brainwashed and just doesn't know any better. I've driven for other companies. I've even hauled gas/diesel tanker local, which a lot of drivers consider some kind of utopia. I have experience with other companies and other kinds of driving. I am OTR because I like it better.

What is true for one is not true for all. Sure, there are some drivers who hate Swift. There are drivers who hate OTR. But get that thought out of your head that all OTR Swifties would just love your job if only they had tried it.

 

Swift Transportation's DriverSEA: 44.66, VehicleSEA: 39.60, ISS-D Score: 35 (Recommendation: PASS, Reason: SAFETY).

I guess a few of those Swifties can drive okay! I wonder how low the DriverSEA would be if Swift did not have all those trainee drivers.

















(Go ahead.....POUNCE, I can take it!!!!!)

 

well interesting thread. i must be doing something right cause i had a driver in lordsburg n.m. walk up to after i pulled off a blind side next to his extremly custom pete and tell me i did a hell of a job parking. and that he found out that at least one swift driver can back up and not hit ####. as for the other swift drivers i cant say. i can say this i let one swift driver know that he had a head light out and the west bound scales were open and was told to in a nut shell f-off. and as for my trainer he wasa clean cut guy that had been drivin for about 15 years. i learned alot from him. ok that was my .02

Rat

 

I was just reading in another Swift thread. The driver was talking about his DM trying to talk him into doing something that would result in an HOS violation. Seeing as this is a "reputation" thread, does Swift (or Swift DMs) have a rep for pushing drivers even if HOS violations could result?

 

My Dm doesn't do that. He stresses staying legal. He also stresses communication and that if I have any kind of problem I should call him and let him know.

 

Only once was I pushed to drive illegal, and that was by a Customer Service Rep, not my DM. That's been a couple years back, anyway.

 

Ran one 30 minutes over on the Friday of a holiday weekend. DM talked me into the run, which I had tried to decline (it was my 1st season). Situation came up again and I told them the load would stop the minute I ran out of time and he could re-power/reschedule it. Never had another problem with that DM.

Now Planners would constantly try it..... After I refused it twice I requested a conference call with him, TM, DM and Safety. No more problems...

 

Sure is nice when a Swift driver is recognized, I to have gotten similar comments. Once even from a Greyhound driver, who made it a point to come and ask how long I had been driving. Most times when pulling into a rather empty trk stop, will head to the back row, and blind side into the parking spot. Granted I get some strange looks but, can't get too much practice when it comes to blind side backing.

I know what you mean. Seems like you just can't help some people.

 

Now that's the way to handle it..I know all to well how "persuasive" planners can be,
while on the phone.
When this type issue arises I make sure I do all correspondance by way of qualcom.
For the most part planners are understanding and will work with a driver, especially
when you're the closest to the shipper. Just make sure you always,,always send in a macro 22 (late on load#####) even though they know load is going to be late.
I have zero sevice failures,,,dosen't mean all my loads delivered on the time stated in the load assignment...

 

I've noticed fewer and fewer negative comments toward Swift here in the recent months. In the NEGATIVE section, the Swift thread/s typically stay towards the bottom. Personally, I'm glad to see this as maybe people are realizing that no trucking company is perfect. I read a lot of the negative based threads about every company and see that most trucking companies treat their employees about the same everywhere and the employees seem to have the same complaints towards their employers.

I also rarely hear derogative comments over the airwaves while I'm driving lately, too.

Any other Swift drivers notice this change?