So, you want to work for Swift?

Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-24-2007, 12:31 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 52
Default So, you want to work for Swift?

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.
 
  #2  
Old 08-24-2007, 01:30 PM
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 177
Default

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. :!:
 
  #3  
Old 08-24-2007, 02:01 PM
Board Regular
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tifton, GA
Posts: 293
Default

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...
 
__________________
Be calm in the face of all common disgraces and know what they're doin' it for - G. Lightfoot
  #4  
Old 10-25-2007, 01:17 PM
Board Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere in this World
Posts: 333
Default Re: So, you want to work for Swift?

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. :lol:
 
  #5  
Old 10-25-2007, 01:48 PM
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 98
Default

And you brought up a 2 month old thread why?

To whine about the whiner?
 
  #6  
Old 10-25-2007, 01:57 PM
Colts Fan's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 776
Default

Of course he did. He has nothing constructive to offer.
 
__________________
"A government big enough to give you everything you need, is a government strong enough to take everything you have" - Thomas Jefferson
  #7  
Old 10-26-2007, 06:20 AM
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Valdosta GA
Posts: 78
Default

Does this Boner guy have a crush on G-MAN or what? Can't you find your own avitar?
 
  #8  
Old 10-26-2007, 06:37 AM
Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SLO Ca.
Posts: 13
Default

Thats just what I was thinking. :lol:
 
  #9  
Old 10-26-2007, 11:07 AM
Board Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere in this World
Posts: 333
Default

Originally Posted by Chris M
Does this Chris M guy have a crush on G-MAN or what? ?
Didn't know you were like that. :shock: Please don't advertise. This is a family forum.
 
  #10  
Old 10-26-2007, 12:30 PM
Board Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere in this World
Posts: 333
Default

Originally Posted by Chris M
Does this Chris M guy have a crush on G-MAN or what


Can't you find your own avitar?


GMAN-Can you PM me?

Chris M, didn't you start that thread above with GMAN? Don't try to turn the attention away from yourself. Just come out.

Don't try to deflect the attention to me, I don't go that way.

Tell your family first, don't smear it in this forum.

Good Luck at Thanksgiving.
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -12. The time now is 09:24 PM.

Top