So, you want to work for Swift?

**LennyD** · 08-24-2007 05:31 PM

I'll just preface this by saying that I hope this post will keep as many prospective employees as possible away from this company, I truly hate them more than I could have ever imagined I would hate anything on this earth.

I don't regret jumping into this profession. I just regret the poor choice I made in choosing a company... mostly out of complete ignorance to the fact that any company that would hire a "newb" could be much better than the next. I did very little research, and I only have myself to blame.

1. The school was a complete circus, and has since been shut down (Kansas City)

2. My trainer was one of the most dispicable people i've ever had the displeasure of meeting. I should've left for a different company after a few days of this, like nearly every other person I went to school with.

3. My first 4-5 months solo was a nightmare. I ran through the worst of it(winter), never turned down a load, never arrived late, never complained, never got over 2k miles/week, and never got home sooner than 21 days after the last time I left.

4. Swift has really been pushing for driver retention more and more lately with their (not so)clever little posters and banners posted in terminals.

Like "Consistent home time" translation = consistently not home

"Your time is worth millions! millions paid in detention time" translation = your detention money? I don't think so.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side" poster of a green pasture featuring a cow's ass... translation = you're a complete idiot if you think you have a good trucking job w/ Swift.

5. Denied layover/breakdown/detention pay countless times by DM.

6. Denied new DM by terminal manager.

7. Denied reimbursement on pre approved motel room with po(confirmation) number and receipt. PO number apparently "lost"

8. Refused to pay out of pocket for future motel room, so 2x nightly fee agreed to be advanced to my comdata card to cover expense.. no receipt required... only to find out later this was a cash advance straight out of my paycheck.

9. As soon as I start standing up for myself, I get a "random" drug test and immediate reduction in miles.

10. Hung out to dry 500 miles from planned vacation.

I could go on, but I'm just going to get even more pissed off/depressed about this whole situation.

Many of you are asking why I didn't leave... no one is making me work for these bastards.

The answer is simple. I got through the first 4-5 months which were the worst and things started to turn around. I didn't leave during this time because I felt like I was paying my dues, and didn't have enough experience to get a noticeably better gig.

The next 4-5 months were better overall, and I started researching my next job... seeing that 1 full year w/ my first company would serve me best... so I decided at this point... I really needed to stick it out the full year, pretty much regardless of what BS I might go through.

Please Please Please Please don't let Swift hook you into your first trucking job... but you probably already know this if you are reading this site... ahhh preaching to the choir.

**BigBird01** · 08-24-2007 06:30 PM

I have had problems with swift myself... But I have fired a few dms and even moved to a different terminal. Now I get paid salary and im home every day and off on weekends. And I still work for swift. This job is as good as your dispatcher he can make it he11 on you. Or you can have a better dm and life is good. BOL to you in the future. If you can stick it out a year alot of other places will hire you. As long as you got a good record. :!:

**Douglas** · 08-24-2007 07:01 PM

I once talked to a driver who worked for Swift; he told me that while it was alright as long as you were trying to get your 1 or 2 yrs. over the road experience, it wasn't the type of company you'd want to work for the rest of your life.

Could be different from terminal to terminal...

**boneebone** · 10-25-2007 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by LennyD

I'll just preface this by saying that I hope this post will help as many prospective employees as possible apply and get hired to this company, I truly love them more than I could have ever imagined I would love anything on this earth.

I don't regret jumping into this profession. I just love the choice I made in choosing a company... mostly out of complete research to the fact that any company that would hire a "newb" could be much better than the next. I did alot of research, and I am so happy I could cry.

1. The school was like a Hilton Hotel, and is still open.(Kansas City)

2. My trainer was one of the most greatest people i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I should've left for a different company after a few days of this, like nearly every other person I went to school with, but I am happy.

3. My first 4-5 months solo was da bomb. I ran through the worst of it(winter), never turned down a load, never arrived late, never complained, never got over 2k miles/week, and never got home sooner than 21 days after the last time I left.

4. Swift has really been pushing for driver retention more and more lately with their (not so)clever little posters and banners posted in terminals.

Like "Consistent home time" translation = consistently not home

"Your time is worth millions! millions paid in detention time" translation = your detention money? I don't think so.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side" poster of a green pasture featuring a cow's ass... translation = you're a complete genius if you think you have a good trucking job w/ Swift.

5. Given layover/breakdown/detention pay countless times by DM.

6. Given new DM by terminal manager.

7. Given reimbursement on pre approved motel room with po(confirmation) number and receipt. PO number apparently "lost"

8. Swift paid out of pocket for future motel room, so 2x nightly fee agreed to be advanced to my comdata card to cover expense.. no receipt required... only to find out later this was a cash advance straight out of my paycheck.

9. As soon as I start standing up for myself, I get a "random" drug test and tested positive for cocaine, marijuana, uppers, and meth. and immediate increase in miles. They even let me keep my crack pipe.

10. Given 500 miles from planned vacation.

I could go on, but I'm just going to get even more happier about this whole situation.

Many of you are asking why I love it?... no one is making me work for these bastards. Because they let me cry myself to sleep at night and give me free pacifiers and Depends, that's why.

The answer is simple. I got through the first 4-5 months which were the worst and things started to turn around. I didn't leave during this time because I felt like I was paying my dues, and didn't have enough experience to get a noticeably better gig.

The next 4-5 months were better overall, and I started researching my next job... seeing that 1 full year w/ my first company would serve me best... so I decided at this point... I really needed to stick it out the full year, pretty much regardless of what BS I might go through.

Please Please Please Please let Swift hook you into your first trucking job... but you probably already know this if you are reading this site... ahhh preaching to the choir.

Sounds like a winner, welcome to the world of trucking, rookie.

**ajritter04** · 10-25-2007 06:48 PM

And you brought up a 2 month old thread why?

To whine about the whiner?

**Colts Fan** · 10-25-2007 06:57 PM

Of course he did. He has nothing constructive to offer.

**Chris M** · 10-26-2007 11:20 AM

Does this Boner guy have a crush on G-MAN or what? Can't you find your own avitar?

**Ghettofab75** · 10-26-2007 11:37 AM

Thats just what I was thinking.

**boneebone** · 10-26-2007 04:07 PM