Swifts Reputation

Thanks for fighting the good fight!

I've often thought that if I leave Swift it will be over an ONROAD issue. Though I must say, as bad as you think they are now, they were much much worse four years ago.

However, as no good deed goes unpunished at Swift, I've learned to bite the bullet and do a breakdown macro on trl issues. A breakdown macro provides Swift something to show the customer when the load needs to be resheduled.

 

Eh, I decided to take the signature off. Didn't want anyone whining to someone saying I was unduly bashing the company. Which I'm not. I don't think Swift is a TERRIBLE company, but I don't think it's great either. My response shall remain though- to anyone who looks at this company- Is "find out for yourself, don't let other people cloud your perception". I say this because I've talked to guys that have been here for years and have nothing bad to say. I am not afraid to share my experiences though.

As for ticking someone off at the company... Perhaps. Maybe I've annoyed a planner or two. I've turned down some loads because my logbook wouldn't support it... Also, due to my experience with the service failure I got, I also turn down loads that are too tight to allow for any unforseen issues. The nature of that service failure has made me very wary. Part of me thinks that since it was a run for Costco, a big dedicated account, that there is next to zero leeway for not being on time. Who knows.

I need to elaborate on something else. There is no reason IMO to have to deal with On-Road if there is a company terminal within a reasonable distance. No, I don't think 60 miles is unreasonable. Especially when I think the cost in fuel would most certainly be less than the cost of fines, or the loss of productivity caused by a driver being put "OOS". Not to mention the ding to the companies safety rating.

 

I often fear what I'll find when it comes to picking up trailers. Sometimes I'm shocked when I don't find some sort of issue. Most common thing I find is that they are due for their safety inspections. See a lot of questionable brake shoes and tires. I even took the time to repair some wiring on one.

I don't do what I see so many other drivers doing... Which is hooking a trailer, throwing the pigtails on and then driving off. To me it's just not worth getting a ticket or OOS order over.. Especially not with CSA2010. I'm all about protecting my CDL.. If I have to piss off a cubicle bunny or two at the company so be it. They can fire me, but they can't take my CDL away.

The problem those clowns create though- Is headaches for other drivers. I've experienced the kind of lame crap can happen due to someone else not being bothered to spend the few minutes "kicking tires". Not going to be responsible for someone else having to endure the same garbage.

 

if there's proof of the pushing/bullying from a dispatcher. that dispatcher could very well find themself unemployed in a hurry. always back up stuff on the qualcomm. when you are being bombed on the cell phone, don't answer it, or turn it off.

 

Well as sensible as this may seem...and it may seem that you are making an effort to "help" the company..but the reality is this company has a "system" and whether it makes sense or not. We are expected to follow it...now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to defend them or their "system"...because frankly I feel the system has flaws..However it's their system.
I could tell you story after story after story...about situations that did'nt make sense to me, in the three yrs I was there...and there have been some good ones...
I can see by your profile that you a relitively new to this game we call truckin'
And I to don't agree with the service failure...but be that as it may..
If I could give you a piece of advice...Learn the system...save yourself some headaches...here are a few examples...
1) Always notify On-Road when you encounter any problem with a trailer that needs repair..They are the only ones who can direct you to a repair facility...no matter how close or how far....You can offer suggestions, or tell them were you are headed. if you can safely do so...
2) Always and I do mean Always,,all correspondance must be done on the qualcom,,
On-Road will always send a message over your qualcom as to what you are to do.
Even if it's to a terminal.
3) If for any reason it is unsafe or illegal to do something..STATE this in all your
macros...It's best to notify on-road first..then msg your DM,,then macro 22..
4) Never move any trl. you pick up that has any physical damage up to and including
broken hinges always report this to your DM and claims dept. Drivers are getting
charged with preventable accidents for moving trls with prior damage.

This may seem like a lot to deal with,,and yes there are way too many drivers who only think about themselves...But from someone who in his 3 yrs with Swift have zero service failures...that does'nt mean I was never late...I've even had a citiation given to me at an Oregon scalehouse, removed from my Swift record, by having everything on the qualcom...but that's another story...just try to hang in there...

 

Watch your back. Make sure to back anything up on the qualcomm, document any violations that they want to sweep under the rug and take pictures on your phone to back yourself up. I say this because if they "fire" you, once they get done submitting to DAC (or whatever they call themselves this week, i.e. USIS, HireRight), they will, in essence, have reduced your CDL to having as much worth as a piece of toilet paper. What's more, they will have ruined your ability to find gainful employment elsewhere in this industry, regardless if the cause wasn't legitimate. With DAC, you are guilty until proven innocent and it usually takes a lawyer to make them take off negative information.

 

True enough on many points folks. Think I'll be a bit more anal about dealing with On-Road when the need presents itself. I guess the 10 hours I spent in a snowstorm dealing with them made me a little gun shy.

(Basically, if they had sent out a tow-truck to pull start me right off the bat, I wouldn't have been stuck for as long as I was).

 

The lesson is found. I try to never make the same mistake twice

I could relay my wonderful break down experience but it would be hijacking the thread more than I've already done. It's a rep thread, not a "there I was....."

So to get back on point..

I do not hate Swift Transportation. I have my gripes, but none of them have been worth quitting over, or trying to smear them as a company (which is why I removed my sig.. afraid people would read too far into it). That's why I said in another post that I will always tell someone who asks me to "Draw your own conclusions". I know that my experiences don't mirror those of another person.

 

Yes dealing with On-Road can be fustrating at times..but in there defense they are a bit understaffed for the number of trucks..also having to deal with drivers who can't or won't deal with a light out on a trl. or a trl tandem handle that won't stay out..for them I've got two words.."VICE GRIPS"..Some of it has to do with where you are when the breakdown occurs...By the way Swift did at one time have a Road Ready class drivers could take that taught them how to do minor repairs..they even issued drivers tools,toolbox,extra lights..and a bunch of other stuff...not sure if they still do it...The reason for sending a macro to on-road first is that the time the driver sent it will be on the qualcom...for all to see...the new ETA on macro 22 can be estimated at this time..because you will send another one once you are good to go...all these macros will have times on them...I think biggest mistake new drivers make is doing everything on the phone...I use the phone as a last resort,,but will always send a msg that states "as per our phone conversation." It's all about covering ones BUTT..
Also as hard as it will be to do sometimes KEEP YOUR COOL on the qualcom and the phone as well as the dispatch window.
I was once refused a spare tire for my trk at the columbus terminal. Shop foreman said I needed a "B" service and that he could'nt give me one untill I had it done. I was nearly 3000 miles from a service and was under dispatch...I was real tempted to "go off" on him...Instead left him the bad tire..got his name..(off his shirt) went to my trk. Sent a msg to my DM stating what just happen..."Cause if you drive a company trk you are required to carry a spare..or bad things happen..I just made sure that if I had a problem down the road and needed a spare,,,I was covered...That qualcom has gotten my out of and kept me out of trouble more times than I can count...NUFF said