The start of my first year with Swift.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sheriff1/6, Jan 1, 2013.

  1. Long Haul 79

    Long Haul 79 Light Load Member

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    Jan 16, 2013
    Phoenix,AZ
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    Thats funny, never had a problem with refer loads ralph. Always had one waiting for me when i finished the load I already had. The one delusional is yourself. Biggest wait I have ever had was two times I had an overnight wait at Yoplait in CA.
     
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  3. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2012
    Boise, ID
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    So, I was offered a load with multiple stops in CA. On the surface it looked like a good load. It appeared that I would have two day sot make just over 600 miles. The kicker is in the details. I would pick up on the 4th but, I can't deliver until the morning of the 5th in the same city. The thirds stop was by noon on the 5th. The final leg was over 500 miles. Even if I took a 10 hour break I would still only have 6.5 hours to drive 525 miles. Not gonna happen. The problem is that I accepted the load by glancing at the pickup date and the final delivery date when really, they don't have much in common. We'll see how much trouble I'm in now. I notified my DL of the issue and sent in my macro 9 telling them that it can't be done by a solo driver. Now I'll wait for the fallout.
     
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  4. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2012
    Boise, ID
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    It seems that now the routing software is down. I wonder...does this shut down the company? Qualcomm has had a bad start for Feb. First it was two hours behind on everything and now no routing.

    Give me a load, I can get there without the navigation system....I have and can read a map.
     
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  5. UncleMeano

    UncleMeano Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2013
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    I'm feelin frustrated FOR ya man.<br><br>
     
  6. UncleMeano

    UncleMeano Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2013
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    Hey Sheriff, do you carry a GPS?

    Peewee.
     
  7. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2012
    Boise, ID
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    I do carry one. I have a Garmin. I use it mainly to let me know how many lanes are up ahead and which lane I need to be in. It will also recalculate should I make a wrong turn where the Qualcomm asks if that's what you want it to do. I'll also use it to calculate how long a trip iwll take. It only works for on stop and not multiple stops. I'll also take out my map to be sure I'm not being routed over some back road.

    There is a place, I think in Nevada, where there is a T intersection. The qualcomm wants you to go straight however, that is a goat trail into a field. There is no road that goes straight. You have to take a right turn. My GPS showed the right way to go. I like having mine as I can see the road ahead as well.

    The best way is to use your Rand McNally and check your route before you leave. Electronics can fail.
     
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  8. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2012
    Boise, ID
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    And my luck is holding out...

    I made it to the Mira Loma terminal in hopes of getting my A/C fixed or the slow leak in one of my drive tires. I was told Friday at soonest for A/C and I would be better off finding a load to Lewiston and having them put me on hold to get it fixed. I went down to see about getting my tire fixed, not gonna happen for two days.

    Prior to having the brain storm to get this work done I was offered two load to TX...great...but no. As soon as I said yes they were pulled. My DL said he's trying to find me something for today and those didn't pick up until tomorrow morning.

    I'm starting to think I might be better off working by the hour locally....my frustration level is being tested.
     
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  9. Mrh2008

    Mrh2008 Road Train Member

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    May 25, 2012
    Mesa, AZ
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    Mira Loma is a joke. Any other terminal will not sit you for 2 days to fix a leaking tire. The AC is a different story, may have to wait to get parts ordered for that if the shop doesn't have it.

    also, the pay is very low, but you do get 5 or 6 raises your first year. At 1 year, the pay is still low, and that's when most leave SWIFT for a better company.

    Hang in there Sheriff!
     
  10. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Boise, ID
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    I can understand the A/C, I'm from the north and the warm weather is a big change from what I had in Idaho. I need to man up. They don't know if they had to order parts or not, we never got that far into the conversation. It was just that for an A/C I would have to wait or go to my home terminal.

    I don't understand the tire but, I guess there are some things that people with a higher pay grade do understand.

    I finally did get a load back to IA. The last time I went that way I thought I would never get home..lol
     
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  11. Florida Playboy

    Florida Playboy Road Train Member

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    Dec 19, 2012
    Florida
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    You've obviously never waited 48 hours for a produce load. Or waited 6 hours at a receiver before they even dropped the dock plate onto the trailer.

    Why doesn't your dispatcher just move the appointment up to the morning of the 6th?
     
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