The Swift Shaft

Sorry, Nana, I didn't mean to lump all the Swifties together. I'm sure there are some SWIFT success stories like yours. But you have to admit, the number of proSwift posts are far outweighed by the antiSwift post's. It's working for you, that's FANTASTIC!

screenman0, I hope things work out for you at the company you found.

 

I've been told by our terminal manger rates will go up and our customers know the value of safe drivers and will pay reasonable increases . We are paid percentage so we automatically get a raise when the rates go up .
But drivers for bottom feeder carriers paying by the mile with shippers that only look for the lowest rate drivers will continue to be a dollar dozen .

 

I'm sure you didn't mean that the way it sounded, but there are good jobs that pay mileage.
Conversely, I have worked for a couple of chickenbleep outfits over the years that paid on percentage.
But I didn't take it personally. I know what you meant.

 

Some advice to newbies in general:
Fill out 3-4 applications

Some advice to newbies with accidents and/or tickets (no matter how old):
Fill out 8 - 10 applications

Possibly, why it took swift so long is that they were waiting for additional information from an agency about the accident. Getting no reply is just as bad as getting a bad report. The only thing swift had to work with was probably and accident with a fatality. Yes they have your word on what happen, but they need something official.

Do you have any official paperwork that you have gotten that will support your position (if so, include that with your applications). If you don't can you get something?

 

I do see alot of swift trucks sitting in the cols, ohio terminal! if they are so good, then why so many empty trucks? just a question, because i never drove for them!

 

I agree with you . What I meant was you know if you're paid percentage you'll get an increase . I understand there are some good companies that pay mileage that will also give increases but not many .

 

I worked for Swift and one thing I found was the recruiters line you up do cursory background check verify previous employers. then give you the ok.then it goes to AZ and they start the real research and its kind of like a points system the negs versus pos. so there may be somethiing else out there thats helping to stop you. I appreciate your position it sucks big time, but just at it like you were not right for them nor were they right for you. and by the to the post about tire blowout. the Mill I went to spoke a lot about that very subject. even when driving instructor had me practice a stop like that at slow speed of course, but he got his point across. NO BRAKES!. so again no lumping them all.

 

My only question is...how can a tire blowout lead to negligent homicide? I realize it was 31 years ago, but negligent homicide? Negligent infers that you were at fault. Tire blowouts are no-fault.

I am sorry for the loss of your friend those many years ago and totally agree with you that 31 years ago (you're 50 now) is a long, long time ago and plenty of time to become the better person, so to speak. However, I will point out that for people to help and give worthwhile advice on any kind of a messageboard, you've got to be up front. Saying you got charged with negligent homicide for a tire blowout is simply not the whole story and Swift's decline of you is understandable, though they definitely should have been up front and let you know.

That's really all...not casting blame or anything. The past is the past and I am certain that in 31 years, you have done everything needed and required of you.

Good luck with the new gig.

 

The bobtails you see at the terminal are either drivers between loads and/or taking a break or else waiting for shop work. Our Columbus terminal is one of our biggest and gets a lot of traffic. I'm not sure, but I think they keep some lease trucks there, too (i.e. trucks waiting for an O/O wannabe).

It can actually be hard to get into a truck at Swift because they don't keep a lot of empty trucks around. Just because you see a line of bobtails parked at one of our terminals, doesn't mean they are empty