I know of a couple smaller outfits (less then 75 trucks) that has been around before swift and i bet they will be around after swift. Not all of the smaller companys go under. Just sayin.:thumbsup:

I'm sure there are good, smaller companies that exist out there.

I've just had the bad luck or running with two of them that cared about the safety/well-being less than Swift did when I was with them.

You'll run into some of those with both big and small companies. I think the reason the small ones push a little harder is less coverage. If you run out of time with swift, there is usualy someone close by. With the smaller companies, you run out of time, there is no one near by to cover your butt.

I was with them for 13 months before my downward started, so I should know.
If it wasn't for the excellent experience I had with them while I was there, I would probably be beefing with them as much as others here do.

Anywho, after 10 months of slow-going since my lay-off from the container outfit, I'm stoking the coals once again.

good luck with that, thinks are takeing off slowly but surely here to. Like you I have no beef with swift. I was with them from mar 2006 till the end of may 2007 and other than my first DM all was good, 3k+ miles, 1k plus on my paycheck, i'd say 99% legal even. My second DM knew how to get it done. If it weren't for that accedent I keep refering to on the boards, I'd probably still be with them.

Well, like some of the more positive posters here said, only a matter of time.
I'll keep picking around until I eventually get on with a company at the same level as Swift.
But as far as small operators go, do your homework very carefully with them.

After Swift, I got back into a cushy security position I had previously, only to jump ship to a reefer company in Van Nuys, CA that I regret just as much.
I guess next time I attempt that and I'm concurrently employed in something else, I'll remember to take a few days off to test their waters before kicking the concurrent position to the curb.