15 year trucking veteran is getting run a round . Need help guys and gals

[randyroy59]

I started driving in the beginning of 1997. All 48 and canada. No accidents and no preventables. I Took a local wrecker job IN JANUARY 2006 but occassionally i went to canada, chicago, and virginia to deliver a big rig for the wrecker company. Got laid off in 2010 and in feb 2011 took a refresher through c.r. England. And drove 33 days for them till they tried to scare me and force me in to their lease program. So i jumped ship and came to swift last week. They pulled my mvr and dac before i left home and the recruiter emailed me and said that i would start off as ecperienced and at 38 cpm. ..here it comes my problems and questions..... They (swift) waited till the last hour of the last day of orientaion and said they did not recognize the wrecker business or the certificate of refresher course completion or the 33 days otr with england or the fact i have never had an accident or preventable and would have to start at the bottom and go out with a trainer for 240 hours ( even though he called them and said it was a waste of his and my time). So can anyone tell me this. Why do i start over. And after the 6 month that most companies require of recent experience, after that 6 months do i get all my seniority back as far as the 15 years so i can at least go to a better company. This is just wrong. And i dont even moind starting at low pay for the 6 months as long as i know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Any help or suggessions brother and sister truckers?

[GMAN]

Most carriers look at the last 3 years when it comes to experience. I assume that you mean the pay for more experience. Another carrier might take into consideration your previous experience, but it would be an individual decision. One may not count it and another would. It is pretty crappy the way Swift did you. But, most carriers don't waste the time and money checking out drivers until they get to orientation. Too many will make a commitment to come to orientation and never show up or get stoned before they come, knowing that they will need to take a drug test. It is expensive checking backgrounds of drivers. There is no need to check someone out who may never show up. Once you get past the 6 months to 1 year of recent verifiable experience doors should begin to open for you. Good luck.

[One]

Bait and switch! you are a well qualified driver, you didnt even need the refresher course imho. I think theres others opportunities out there for u that are not the bottom feeder companies like Swift, CREngland JBunt etc. keep lookin. you should be able to find a local/regional job or even LTL.

[Windwalker]

I'm going to give you the same suggestion I've given a couple of others in the last months or so. I've never driven for Melton, but a neighbor is driving for them. He has a lot of good things to say about them. You might try contacting them and tell Englang to kiss your......

[One]

Melton just doesnt wanna pay + trucks r slow as sin...i dont mind 65 but below that is just sad.