This Industry is Unbelievable

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by KimberlyinCalifornia, Aug 4, 2015.

  1. nofreetime

    nofreetime Road Train Member

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    kleenex-tissue-box-profile.jpg
     
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  3. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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    Newly married and he goes OTR...wow.
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Main problem I see is Swift can monitor phone calls(can hear talking in the truck) and other noises in the truck, plus driver facing cameras. He probably didn't know that when he chose that company.
     
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  5. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    My wife prefers it when I'm not around.
     
  6. runningfr8

    runningfr8 Light Load Member

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    so perfect
     
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  7. runningfr8

    runningfr8 Light Load Member

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  8. KimberlyinCalifornia

    KimberlyinCalifornia Bobtail Member

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    Wow you guys are brutal. Let me clarify a few things. My husband isn't the one complaining, this comes from my own observations and what I personally have researched. He knew what he was getting into and because he had let his CDL expire he had to go through training all over again. Swift offered him something that would work for him. We had hit a financial crisis in our life and after much research , looking at options and where we live, this was the offer he took. He agreed to stay until the training is paid in full by Swift. My husband is hard working and since he has been driving he is 100% on time and stays on the road 3 or more weeks and comes home for 3 days. Of which, I am there for him and keep smiling and offer tons of support the whole time. He probably would not be very pleased that I even posted anything, Let me also share with those of you that think I'm the little "Bubblehead" wifey who sits at home eating bon bons and doesn't have anything else to do but whine. I work at a full time job in management, more specifically Human Resource. I speak from some experience when it comes to employee relations. I deal with employement laws and employment policy every day. To be such an important industry in this great U.S. of A and the lack of better pay and standards and company support I find very disturbing. And if that makes me "Out of touch", or having a lack of experience, then you are absolutely correct. But none of you even addressed any of my rants. Because my husband had 5 years previous experience didn't mean a very big deal to him that he had no "management support" after he was on the road on his own. I am the one who thought, how scary it must be to someone who was new to the job and never had anyone from the company offer a simple, "Hey how the hell is it going? Do you have any questions? And my name is Joe Freaken Manager and here's my phone number."
    Perhaps that has a lot to do with why so many new drivers don't stay with trucking and quit within the first 6 months. So thanks for your responses, even the brutal ones. My opinion is you are treated like crap from the companies you work for and with Swift you are just a number. The pay isn't the best, the perks should be alot more and the company should put you as their biggest priority so that you can do your job to your best.
    And I'm not seeing much of that...Be Safe!
     
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  9. TankerP

    TankerP Road Train Member

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    Holding the steering wheel
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    Yep, that's pretty much it. So what are you and your husband going to do now?
     
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  10. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    And therein lies the problem. You are accustomed to working in the professional office atmosphere where you interact with peers, supervisors, and underlings on a daily (and possibly hourly) basis. You are accustomed to regular hours, a steady schedule, and the much maligned "watercooler breaks".

    Please understand, trucking doesn't work like any other profession I'm familiar with. If I had to go back into an office atmosphere, I'd probably shoot myself repeatedly. I am far, far to accustomed to being left alone to do my job as I see it the best way I can. Put a manager over me on a constant supervisory basis like most offices have, and the aggravated murder rate will climb by one before the end of the day. And most other truckers will agree with me.

    Yes, the industry has problems. Yes, it's hard to get ahead for the first year or two. Your husband probably already knew that going in. And he undoubtedly has a plan for the future that doesn't involve Swift Transportation. He just has to get the "verifiable experience" back up to move to another carrier is all.

    Even though he drove in the past, no one of quality is gonna take a chance on him until he has 6 months to a year of recent experience behind the wheel. Trucking is one of the few fields where experience can get stale. According to the insurance carriers, we drivers forget what the steering wheel is for if we are out of the truck for more than six months.
     
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  11. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Canuckistan
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    I can sympathize. I had to spend 8 hours in a classroom doing some oilfield safety courses yesterday and I was ready to snap after about 4 hours lol.
     
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