Complaint Review: Swift Transportation

Unfortunately, most trucking companies are, as
said before, 'in it for the money' and believe "Drivers are a dime a dozen". Because of this reason, earning a "decent" living is virtually impossible for most truck drivers of any type. When I say "decent" I am speaking from all aspects of the job. If you want to be a truck driver of any sort you will have sacrifices to make.

I am the spouse of an ex-OTR driver and ex-log truck driver, (not by his choice). An old injury, prior to truck driving, forced him to leave his profession. But I can speak of his sacrifices and experiences.

He was a hard-working employee who loved his job.... to a point. He drove a 55 mph truck for a 95 mph dispatch, he spent many sleepless nights, sometimes even in the parking lot of his drop off point because he missed his scheduled time due to traffic or any number of other reasons. Which also caused delays in picking up his next load. Yet, he went on without complaint.

See, as a truck driver you realize "it's all a part of the job" and "these things happen". He was told he would be home every three weeks OR SO... sometimes it was six weeks before we saw him.... but we knew it was all a part of the job. Yes, I grumbled, but I knew what we were getting into when he took the jobs. Mind you, he ONLY drove the 11 western states, so that was a long time to be away from home at any one time. But, in order to make that "decent" living the wheels had to keep rolling. Same held true when he was tired of the 'road' and resorted to local driving. He went into logging. Up at midnight, home at 6pm, maybe 7, eat dinner, go to bed, just to get up and do it all over again 6 days a week in the 'busy' season. We survived.

Now, forced to be on disability, and looking back; he chose this profession because that's what he enjoyed, not for the money and certainly not for implied promises we learned may not be met. Sad to say, and hope not to discourage anyone, but his yearly income, now, greatly exceeds his income as a truck driver and he doesn't have to endure near the stresses a typical driver endures on a daily basis. If he had a choice today he would be right back behind the wheel of his Pete.

So, my advice to anyone who drives truck or is thinking of this profession for the money: DON'T. We need those dedicated drivers that do it because they enjoy it and are comfortable with the living they make rather than those who expect more than this industry can offer. My blessings go out to you 'old-timers' and 'die-hards'. You make our industry a success.

My grumbling and all, I am glad I had a chance to be a part of your world. Drive Safe and keep those wheels turning!

Unfortunately, most trucking companies are, as
said before, 'in it for the money' and believe "Drivers are a dime a dozen". Because of this reason, earning a "decent" living is virtually impossible for most truck drivers of any type. When I say "decent" I am speaking from all aspects of the job. If you want to be a truck driver of any sort you will have sacrifices to make.

I am the spouse of an ex-OTR driver and ex-log truck driver, (not by his choice). An old injury, prior to truck driving, forced him to leave his profession. But I can speak of his sacrifices and experiences.

He was a hard-working employee who loved his job.... to a point. He drove a 55 mph truck for a 95 mph dispatch, he spent many sleepless nights, sometimes even in the parking lot of his drop off point because he missed his scheduled time due to traffic or any number of other reasons. Which also caused delays in picking up his next load. Yet, he went on without complaint.

See, as a truck driver you realize "it's all a part of the job" and "these things happen". He was told he would be home every three weeks OR SO... sometimes it was six weeks before we saw him.... but we knew it was all a part of the job. Yes, I grumbled, but I knew what we were getting into when he took the jobs. Mind you, he ONLY drove the 11 western states, so that was a long time to be away from home at any one time. But, in order to make that "decent" living the wheels had to keep rolling. Same held true when he was tired of the 'road' and resorted to local driving. He went into logging. Up at midnight, home at 6pm, maybe 7, eat dinner, go to bed, just to get up and do it all over again 6 days a week in the 'busy' season. We survived.

Now, forced to be on disability, and looking back; he chose this profession because that's what he enjoyed, not for the money and certainly not for implied promises we learned may not be met. Sad to say, and hope not to discourage anyone, but his yearly income, now, greatly exceeds his income as a truck driver and he doesn't have to endure near the stresses a typical driver endures on a daily basis. If he had a choice today he would be right back behind the wheel of his Pete.

So, my advice to anyone who drives truck or is thinking of this profession for the money: DON'T. We need those dedicated drivers that do it because they enjoy it and are comfortable with the living they make rather than those who expect more than this industry can offer. My blessings go out to you 'old-timers' and 'die-hards'. You make our industry a success.

My grumbling and all, I am glad I had a chance to be a part of your world. Drive Safe and keep those wheels turning!

Unfortunately, most trucking companies are, as
said before, 'in it for the money' and believe "Drivers are a dime a dozen". Because of this reason, earning a "decent" living is virtually impossible for most truck drivers of any type. When I say "decent" I am speaking from all aspects of the job. If you want to be a truck driver of any sort you will have sacrifices to make.

I am the spouse of an ex-OTR driver and ex-log truck driver, (not by his choice). An old injury, prior to truck driving, forced him to leave his profession. But I can speak of his sacrifices and experiences.

He was a hard-working employee who loved his job.... to a point. He drove a 55 mph truck for a 95 mph dispatch, he spent many sleepless nights, sometimes even in the parking lot of his drop off point because he missed his scheduled time due to traffic or any number of other reasons. Which also caused delays in picking up his next load. Yet, he went on without complaint.

See, as a truck driver you realize "it's all a part of the job" and "these things happen". He was told he would be home every three weeks OR SO... sometimes it was six weeks before we saw him.... but we knew it was all a part of the job. Yes, I grumbled, but I knew what we were getting into when he took the jobs. Mind you, he ONLY drove the 11 western states, so that was a long time to be away from home at any one time. But, in order to make that "decent" living the wheels had to keep rolling. Same held true when he was tired of the 'road' and resorted to local driving. He went into logging. Up at midnight, home at 6pm, maybe 7, eat dinner, go to bed, just to get up and do it all over again 6 days a week in the 'busy' season. We survived.

Now, forced to be on disability, and looking back; he chose this profession because that's what he enjoyed, not for the money and certainly not for implied promises we learned may not be met. Sad to say, and hope not to discourage anyone, but his yearly income, now, greatly exceeds his income as a truck driver and he doesn't have to endure near the stresses a typical driver endures on a daily basis. If he had a choice today he would be right back behind the wheel of his Pete.

So, my advice to anyone who drives truck or is thinking of this profession for the money: DON'T. We need those dedicated drivers that do it because they enjoy it and are comfortable with the living they make rather than those who expect more than this industry can offer. My blessings go out to you 'old-timers' and 'die-hards'. You make our industry a success.

My grumbling and all, I am glad I had a chance to be a part of your world. Drive Safe and keep those wheels turning!

Unfortunately, most trucking companies are, as
said before, 'in it for the money' and believe "Drivers are a dime a dozen". Because of this reason, earning a "decent" living is virtually impossible for most truck drivers of any type. When I say "decent" I am speaking from all aspects of the job. If you want to be a truck driver of any sort you will have sacrifices to make.

I am the spouse of an ex-OTR driver and ex-log truck driver, (not by his choice). An old injury, prior to truck driving, forced him to leave his profession. But I can speak of his sacrifices and experiences.

He was a hard-working employee who loved his job.... to a point. He drove a 55 mph truck for a 95 mph dispatch, he spent many sleepless nights, sometimes even in the parking lot of his drop off point because he missed his scheduled time due to traffic or any number of other reasons. Which also caused delays in picking up his next load. Yet, he went on without complaint.

See, as a truck driver you realize "it's all a part of the job" and "these things happen". He was told he would be home every three weeks OR SO... sometimes it was six weeks before we saw him.... but we knew it was all a part of the job. Yes, I grumbled, but I knew what we were getting into when he took the jobs. Mind you, he ONLY drove the 11 western states, so that was a long time to be away from home at any one time. But, in order to make that "decent" living the wheels had to keep rolling. Same held true when he was tired of the 'road' and resorted to local driving. He went into logging. Up at midnight, home at 6pm, maybe 7, eat dinner, go to bed, just to get up and do it all over again 6 days a week in the 'busy' season. We survived.

Now, forced to be on disability, and looking back; he chose this profession because that's what he enjoyed, not for the money and certainly not for implied promises we learned may not be met. Sad to say, and hope not to discourage anyone, but his yearly income, now, greatly exceeds his income as a truck driver and he doesn't have to endure near the stresses a typical driver endures on a daily basis. If he had a choice today he would be right back behind the wheel of his Pete.

So, my advice to anyone who drives truck or is thinking of this profession for the money: DON'T. We need those dedicated drivers that do it because they enjoy it and are comfortable with the living they make rather than those who expect more than this industry can offer. My blessings go out to you 'old-timers' and 'die-hards'. You make our industry a success.

My grumbling and all, I am glad I had a chance to be a part of your world. Drive Safe and keep those wheels turning!

If you've been around (10 years for me), they are like every other OTR big business (100+fleet).

They tell you what you wann hear and recruit you. Forgetting little here and there.

Typical.

But at least my orientation officer (Gary Terminal), told me some things the company fault at.Exception of experienced drivers getting crap pay to cover overhead. Newbies got the runs (Listen to them at the terminals bragging about mileage.)

So I can't really b***h about them. I was stupid enough to join so I just keep it at that.

Another tidbit before I leave, they don't care about hours of service. Talk to the women who died earlier this year from driver overhours. I don't know her name, just ask Mike Taylor, he may know .:)

I drove for swift for two and a half years and loved every min. of it. I had to quiet driving OTR for personal reasons, but reading the complaints is like listening to the people in the army who want to get payed for doing nothing. I started just like everyone else through the swift school in Lewiston Id. when it was run by swift (98)I went out with my driver manager for the eight weeks and got my solo stat. did the grunt work not having much choice in where to go (but through it all I remembered being told that there is no forced dispatch )I proved myself to my driver manager (Missy Telford) that i could do the job and she offered my adedicated run with Walmart and it was great until mid- Jan. I think some of these crybabies need to open there eyes and see that you dont get anything for free I wish i could get back in a truck and on the road but right now im driving for the worst trucking company there is the U.S. Army but that was my choice and when mine time is up you bet im going back to Swift.You dont like then quiet and shutup about it.

My husband is a current Swift driver and is unhappy with not just Swift, but the whole industry itself. Considering the time and effort put forth by each of the drivers in the trucking industry, it is disgusting that most of them make at or near minimum wage.

I have heard all the reasons for and against the trucking industry; unfortunately, our country depends on the backs of these hard working drivers.

My husband is a former minor and came from a unionized industry. Maybe unionizing the trucking industry may improve the conditions the drivers have to work in. The problem is, American consumers are used to cheap goods and services; unionizing usually raises the prices on those goods and services.

A driver must ask themselves, is it worth it to me to fight for what is right? The worst thing that can happen is not trying and it seems the majority consensus is a passive attitude. Until this changes, the trucking industry will continue on its present course.

My husband is a current Swift driver and is unhappy with not just Swift, but the whole industry itself. Considering the time and effort put forth by each of the drivers in the trucking industry, it is disgusting that most of them make at or near minimum wage.

I have heard all the reasons for and against the trucking industry; unfortunately, our country depends on the backs of these hard working drivers.

My husband is a former minor and came from a unionized industry. Maybe unionizing the trucking industry may improve the conditions the drivers have to work in. The problem is, American consumers are used to cheap goods and services; unionizing usually raises the prices on those goods and services.

A driver must ask themselves, is it worth it to me to fight for what is right? The worst thing that can happen is not trying and it seems the majority consensus is a passive attitude. Until this changes, the trucking industry will continue on its present course.

My husband is a current Swift driver and is unhappy with not just Swift, but the whole industry itself. Considering the time and effort put forth by each of the drivers in the trucking industry, it is disgusting that most of them make at or near minimum wage.

I have heard all the reasons for and against the trucking industry; unfortunately, our country depends on the backs of these hard working drivers.

My husband is a former minor and came from a unionized industry. Maybe unionizing the trucking industry may improve the conditions the drivers have to work in. The problem is, American consumers are used to cheap goods and services; unionizing usually raises the prices on those goods and services.

A driver must ask themselves, is it worth it to me to fight for what is right? The worst thing that can happen is not trying and it seems the majority consensus is a passive attitude. Until this changes, the trucking industry will continue on its present course.

My husband is a current Swift driver and is unhappy with not just Swift, but the whole industry itself. Considering the time and effort put forth by each of the drivers in the trucking industry, it is disgusting that most of them make at or near minimum wage.

I have heard all the reasons for and against the trucking industry; unfortunately, our country depends on the backs of these hard working drivers.

My husband is a former minor and came from a unionized industry. Maybe unionizing the trucking industry may improve the conditions the drivers have to work in. The problem is, American consumers are used to cheap goods and services; unionizing usually raises the prices on those goods and services.

A driver must ask themselves, is it worth it to me to fight for what is right? The worst thing that can happen is not trying and it seems the majority consensus is a passive attitude. Until this changes, the trucking industry will continue on its present course.

I get mad then just shake my head in discuse, when I read the comments from the PRO company people who rebutted that drivers problems with Swift. I've been driving for over 11 years and have worked for many a trucking company. why? because of the lies that all of them has told me over the years. Yes they ALL do it and that's something that makes me sick. The trucking industry has been trying to improve its image with better training and a better class of drives and it has worked but to a point.

As long as company keep up with all the empty promises you will NEVER have,or keep, good people as drivers. Sure you can't please everyone but it's impossible to please anyone if you keep lieing to them. Why can't you tell a man that you can't promise you can get him home every weekend or two weeks but will do everything you can to fullfil your promises? AND MEAN IT! That doesn't mean never being able to fulfill ANY of your promises. And the miles?? Every company I've ever called about a driving job,when ask about average miles says the same,2500 mile a week!

Then when you take the job you find out you only average around 1200 to 2000 miles a week! LIES?? You know it! Because a company that doesn't know how many actually miles his driver are averaging doesn't know how much money he is makeing and that would just be bad business.

As long as you have little office girls and boys that thinks the only good driver is a driver that "should shut up and drive" need some training themselfs! And as long as them men out there that really beleive ANY of these company cares about your personal problems WAKE UP!!!

To the fella that thinks Swift is so good because they invented an office job just because he hurt his back doing his job,wake up and smell the coffee!!!! THEY DIDN"T WANT TO GET SUED!!!


Sure I have found some companys better than other but all have lied to me about one thing or another and I'm saying theres no need in it. If you can tell aq man the truth about how often he'll get home,how much he will earn,and where he will be running what can ANY driver trust you about?

It just need to be this way. the trucking industy as whole is full of lies and cheats. I know,I've seen it for over 11 years and it's not getting anybetter. The quality of the drivers had but not the industry. You want to stop the high turn over and get good people to work for you? THEN STOP THE LIES!!!!!!!

I found the best school I could find By checking in to all I could find.Went to PTDI.
Checked into a lot of Co. Swift told me they had plenty of regional jobs available and could be home on weekends.I went to orientation.There are no trainers available.and no regional jobs for at least a year.and they want me on the road at least 2 weeks at a time.I personly do not want this .So I am on my way to another orientation with another company to see how truthfull they are.I hope there is a company out here to trust.

Good Advice, but getting everything in writing, especially in a "right-to-work" state, creates a hostile work environment and is a good way to get on the $h*t list if you're lucky.

ED Magedson
EDitor@ripoffreport.com

I have been driving for 15 yrs.,and biggest problem with the trucking industry,is'nt the big companies or the hours of service,or the hurry up and wait for loads,or the days weeks away from home,or even the pay.ITS the fact that drivers take things at face value(eg:hometime,pay,region to run,etc.)



One thing I have learned as a adult in this world is that if its not writing and you dont have a copy of it,it doesnt exist that goes for any contract,promise,or statement that ANY COMPANY makes. SWIFT itself isnt to blame,you are. Anything they told me they would do, I have in writing I did'nt ask for it was given to me to see,and to have for my own records just for this reason.



This is not fantasy land and I dont work for Perfect Trucking, But I do know that anyone who buys a bill of goods sight unseen for all intensive purposes does. And should look at buying a bridge in New York, or ocean front property in Nebraska. I have a college education and have found that I can make a good living driving a truck, and a better living by doing it well.

I am 60 yrs old. I am an ex-Swift employee (by way of DSW). DSW trained drivers, then leased those drivers along with the truck to Swift. So, everything we did was "governed" by Swift. All of our preplans came from Swift, all of our dispatches came from Swift.



I have always said: Just what good is DSW? This guy hires drivers, knowing they are going to be governed by Swift. But, when a driver has a problem who does he call? DSW of course. His DM then says one of two things: "I can't help you";or, "Call Swift".



No wonder drivers are confused. Most of the time they don't know who to talk to, inorder to get their problems resolved. Who says trucking has to stay in the "Dark AGES"? Slavery was abolished when the North won the War.



It is time drivers started standing up to be counted. True, we need planners, and DM's. But, remember, they need us more than we need them. They are the ones telling the customer that their product will be delivered on time, we are the ones that must make their word truthful.



Jerry might be an alright person, I don't know, I've never met him. But I do know one thing, HE IS WAY TO BIG FOR HIS CAPABILITIES. He has no idea of what is going on.



And, until he does, things will never change. Or, maybe he does, and like people say, He just doesn't care. If that is the case he had better look out: You can whip a horse for just so long, then, if you don't kill it, IT WILL TURN ON YOU!!!

i am an employee with swift for 2 years and still running strong. i think this company is great because they have so many opportunities for a driver. i have done eastern half of us, northeast regional and am now doing a dedicated

account. from day one of employment i have been home every weekend as promised.



I am a hard runner and they never let me sit waiting on a pre-plan. im usually planned before im mt or within 30 minutes after being mt. it took about 6 months to make good money because the company has to know what you are made of and what they can do with you. If you put your all into your job they will do whatever it takes to make you happy in return. "GOOD JOB SWIFT!!!"



If the driver took time to find out about the company by talking to veteran drivers he would have learned all this. im sorry he didnt stick around to find out how good this company can be!

Hi, I drive for Swift Transport also, and have been for a little over two years. I cannot believe a claim that NONE of the promises made to any driver are kept, simply because in all my experiance with Swift, NO ONE ever actually promissed me anything.



I was told what the average driver makes, what average miles were, what the top drivers made, and that dispatch would TRY to get me home on time, TRY to get me the miles I wanted, and TRY to keep me in the region I want to stay in. These arent promises, just statements. What I do know from long experiance is that a good friendly working relationship with your driver manager, and the night crew, and the planners, is an esential part of getting any effort from them to fulfill you wishes. I have done my best to never be late, and always take an assigned load unless its absolutely impossible to do it legally. If I cant get a load there on time, instead of refusing it outright, I let the planner and my DM know why not and give them the option of taking it off of me or rescedualing.



And you should always remember, there is no higher level of ability or perfection required to be a dispatcher or planner, they are just people doing a job too.



The only reason they have the ear of managment and you as a driver dont is location. They are right there in the building with the movers and shakers, so naturally their problems will recieve more attention from management than your problems. BTW to the planners and DM who may read this, and adversarial attitude towards drivers is very counterproductive.



Remember, you are not our boss, you are our co-worker. Like a Quarterback you call the plays to your team, but you dont decide who is in the game, thats the managements job. Calling a driver lazy or telling him to "Shut up and Drive" may sometimes feel good, but it wont help get the job done.



Its easy to blame the driver, but much harder to not get the driver in a position where there is no need to blame them. My advice to anyone hoping to avoid a "rip off" is simple. Dont expect miracles, only god provides them, and only on his scedule. if everyone does their best things will work out well enough.

First lets get a few key items straight.

-SWIFT is a business, not a charity. They generate profit for the shareholders, not the drivers.



-Face the facts: No matter the driver's personal background, intentions, or intelligence, driving a truck to earn your living puts you square at the bottom of the barrel. You want respect? Try some other occupation. If you want a respectable income, start your own trucking company.



-The trucking industry in general, despite great effort by pro-trucking groups, remains a dirty, thankless, awful place to be.



-SWIFT is a FABULOUS company!!! When I resigned as a driver in 1999, they were the THIRD LARGEST

trucking company in the country! What's bad about that, guys? Would you rather work for a tiny company with old junk for equipment? And no freight to haul?



GOOD VS. EVIL-



Submitted for educational purposes;



GOOD- I was assigned "my own" virtually brand new big-rig, after driving with an instructor for only one month. My truck was clean, powerful, and had all the amenities one could ask for, even a humongous walk-in sleeper. The ceiling in there was so high, I had to JUMP up to reach it!



EVIL- There is a reason you get to carry a one bedroom apartment all around the country with you, and it ain't because you are a lucky feller.

It is because you will LIVE in that sleeper! You won't see your own house for weeks at a time. Then slowly, you will grow to hate that sleeper.



GOOD-Free at last! I was suddenly getting paid, just to drive around and see this beatiful country! Coast to coast, north to south, Canada, Mexico, you name the place, and my truck was there at least once.



EVIL-Driving a big truck IS a load of fun, for a while. A little less so, when you are feeling sick, the weather is treacherous, or you are really longing to see those strangers, your wife and family. If those wheels aren't turning, you ain't making money. You will make the postman look like a total wuss. Come rain, shine, snow, ice, death or desparity, YOU WILL DRIVE.



GOOD-Great pay! I was immediately given top pay for my experience level. X-amount per mile. I could drive my 500 miles per day and make good money!



EVIL-Money's no fun, if you haven't the time to spend it. After indulging yourself in every truck accessory known to man, you will find that decent food and clothing on the road is virtually non-existent! Truck stops are neato, unless you want to eat a healthy meal or shower and relax in clean surroundings. You will be forced to spend 75% of your earnings on food and bathing alone! And you will be LUCKY to average only 200 miles per day, earning chump change.



Glamourous?

Don't kid yourself. As a driver, you are but a number. When they figure out just how to make a robot drive that truck, you are long gone, and unemployed.



The Highway Patrol in any state, doesn't see YOU as you pass by, just a big dollar sign! You think tickets in a car are expensive? Just wait.

If you, the driver, could share in just ten percent of the money you generate for every state you pass through, you could quit your job. You would be a MULTI-MILLIONARE.



In desparation, I once unhooked my trailer at the Fontana yard, and bobtailed to the nearest post office. I parked in the loading zone, turned on the flashers, and hurried inside to buy a book of stamps. That book of stamps cost me

over three hundred dollars! Because, when I returned to the truck, not three minutes later, I found a $275.00 parking ticket placed neatly beneath the windshield wiper, and not a cop in site! Later, in my futile attempt to get a break from the PD, I discovered that I had driven past a TINY little sign that read "NO TRUCKS". That sign was conveniently hidden behind thick tree branches. Tough luck for me, I had to pay!



How about the time I encountered a freak snowfall while passing through Tucson! Light rain turned to snow and ice on that dark night. With no traffic in sight, I had a sudden and unexplainable gut feeling, telling me to slow down. I slowed my rig to 40MPH, and as I rounded a blind, uphill curve, I saw it. A wrecked car,

blocking both lanes, not 200 ft ahead! Had I not slowed down irrationally, I would have creamed that car, or run off the road trying to avoid it! How's that for glamourous?



One time, I drove all day, planning to stop at a specific place, where I would be out of hours in my logbook, and forced to stop for a while.I swear to you, when I arrived, there wasn't a single place to park my 75ft.beheamoth,ANYWHERE!



I was forced to drive on, searching for anyplace to park. Later, when I found myself literally falling asleep at the wheel, I finally came upon a CHP truck scale. Although the scale was closed, I pulled in to take a quick nap, barely able to keep my eyes open long enough to park the truck. Almost immediately, a trooper came up, banging viciously on the truck. I politely explained my predicament, and asked the officer if I could just stay for a few hours. He rudely told me to get my truck out of there immediately, or it would be impounded and I would be arrested, only because the scale was closed until morning!!! Yes, you got it. A Highway Patrol officer INSTRUCTING me to drive while exhausted and while having no more hours in the logbook to drive legally! That seems pretty glamouruous, don't it?



The message to you complainers is;

You CANNOT have your cake and eat it too, with or without SWIFT. If you want to play around driving a big fancy semi truck, you will not earn much money or respect. If you want to earn a decent income, while getting the respect you deserve, you don't get to play "trucks".



HOW TO AVOID THE RIPOFF...

Instead of blaming SWIFT for the trouble in your world, take some personal responsibility and go earn a good income elsewhere.



During my short stint as a long haul driver, I developed adult onset diabetes, and turned my rock hard abs into a huge fat gut! And it ain't nobody's fault, but mine!!!

I been with Swift for some time and I am also a trainer and just recently became an O/O for the company...Like most new people coming into the industry they are in shock that we as drivers have to take on alot of responsibility. I wish all we had to do was drive a truck and pick up and deliver when ever we felt like it.But thats not the way the trucking industry is!!



I am saying that the individual wasn't promised that he would run regional but if he was taken out of his region why didn't he go thru channels and find out why? Comunication is very important and guess what it goes both ways, just don't get all mad and not know the facts..I know alot of new people come to Swift just on the intention of only staying 6 months because they can get a local job back home that requires 6 months driving experience..



Well all I can say " I wish them well ". I been with swift since September of 1992 and alot of changes have been made and I see ourselves here for some time..To all the drivers I say ASK questions you don't understand and if your not satisfied go higher..Well I got to go and pick-up my load and deliver it ON TIME..

I've been w/ Swift for 7yrs, as an employee and an owner-operator. I train the new young drivers coming into the industry. The biggest mis-nomer, I hear, is the recuriter told me this and that. I've come to the conclusion, that in most cases it is selective listening.



Like home every two weeks and a local job guarantee. I've talked to many recuriters and they all say the same thing. The interviewee must of heard what they wanted to hear. As far as what the job really is, well this is transportation.



Its up to the individual to make his/her choice, work to make positive changes or get out. Change does take time, and I have some area's of concern like hours of service and trainer's compensation, but I still enjoy the road, and Swift.

Gentelmen and ladies i think that you have not given this driver his fair credit. He may be fresh out of a driving school or training, yes but at the same time you have the acknowledge his complaint.



I do currently drive for Swift transport out of the Atlanta terminal. I previously drove for M.S. Carriers and i have noticed a whole lot of changes not really for the better. A lot od diehard Swifters out there say that they don't understand why the old M.S. guys complain so much.



Let me rebut. Well its the same thing as eating chicken and turkey. You may just like one better. Now since i have been with Swift i have run the miles with no problem. Chances are that driver #1 had a bad driver manager and a negative attitude. Once your DM sees that you dont have a good attitude. thats it.



You will not get the miles and you will not enjoy driving at all. Now the pay issue. I cant speak about that because I have no idea whats going on with that either. All I know is Swift is not a "Driver Friendly" company.

Gentelmen and ladies i think that you have not given this driver his fair credit. He may be fresh out of a driving school or training, yes but at the same time you have the acknowledge his complaint.



I do currently drive for Swift transport out of the Atlanta terminal. I previously drove for M.S. Carriers and i have noticed a whole lot of changes not really for the better. A lot od diehard Swifters out there say that they don't understand why the old M.S. guys complain so much.



Let me rebut. Well its the same thing as eating chicken and turkey. You may just like one better. Now since i have been with Swift i have run the miles with no problem. Chances are that driver #1 had a bad driver manager and a negative attitude. Once your DM sees that you dont have a good attitude. thats it.



You will not get the miles and you will not enjoy driving at all. Now the pay issue. I cant speak about that because I have no idea whats going on with that either. All I know is Swift is not a "Driver Friendly" company.

Gentelmen and ladies i think that you have not given this driver his fair credit. He may be fresh out of a driving school or training, yes but at the same time you have the acknowledge his complaint.



I do currently drive for Swift transport out of the Atlanta terminal. I previously drove for M.S. Carriers and i have noticed a whole lot of changes not really for the better. A lot od diehard Swifters out there say that they don't understand why the old M.S. guys complain so much.



Let me rebut. Well its the same thing as eating chicken and turkey. You may just like one better. Now since i have been with Swift i have run the miles with no problem. Chances are that driver #1 had a bad driver manager and a negative attitude. Once your DM sees that you dont have a good attitude. thats it.



You will not get the miles and you will not enjoy driving at all. Now the pay issue. I cant speak about that because I have no idea whats going on with that either. All I know is Swift is not a "Driver Friendly" company.

Gentelmen and ladies i think that you have not given this driver his fair credit. He may be fresh out of a driving school or training, yes but at the same time you have the acknowledge his complaint.



I do currently drive for Swift transport out of the Atlanta terminal. I previously drove for M.S. Carriers and i have noticed a whole lot of changes not really for the better. A lot od diehard Swifters out there say that they don't understand why the old M.S. guys complain so much.



Let me rebut. Well its the same thing as eating chicken and turkey. You may just like one better. Now since i have been with Swift i have run the miles with no problem. Chances are that driver #1 had a bad driver manager and a negative attitude. Once your DM sees that you dont have a good attitude. thats it.



You will not get the miles and you will not enjoy driving at all. Now the pay issue. I cant speak about that because I have no idea whats going on with that either. All I know is Swift is not a "Driver Friendly" company.

One of the responses to the initial report said that he never had to wait longer than 2 hours for a preplan. Are you sure you don't mean 2 days?



I have many times waited more than 24 hours for a preplan. My favorite was the last time I delivered in Waco, TX. I spend 2 1/2 days in the Williams truck stop waiting for a preplan I could run LEGALLY. In the first 24 hours of my wait I got 4 preplans that I couldn't possibly have run legally. I then sat for another day and a half before I finally got a run.



I usually got excellent results (preplan before completing previous load), but when Swift dropped the ball, they dropped the ball big time!



And I can't see why anyone in a solo truck would even consider staying with Swift during the "holiday slowdown". Since I was in a team truck I still got some good miles, but the solo drivers I talked to at Swift terminals were starving.

I am a employee of Swift Transportation and have been for nearly 3 years. I was a over the road driver for nearly a year and a half when a back injury forced me to give it up.



Unlike some companies out there that turn thier back on thier drivers, Swift did not. Instead in recognization of my efforts and attitude Swift developed a office posistion for me with pay the exceeded what I was making over the road.



During this time with Swift I never heard of any promises being made as to miles or area in which you drive, Swift does everything to assist in meeting a drivers request but we are a 48 state operation and in order for the company and driver to make money we have to go where the freight takes us.



Many drivers feel the we are a travel agency and schedule trips according to a drivers wishes,

I bet if a person was to check on this driver one would find that he was one of the many that feel they do not have to drive to make money, he probably spent most of his time in truck stops.

This driver needs to get a life and grow up,

I understand this young drivers problems,but part of his issue is the fact he chose to go to work for the wrong company in the first place.There are companys out there that do care about their drivers unlike Swift,they are too money hungry to care about you.



I know to all those reading this that they have to watch their money to make money, but I don't think the drivers know how good other companys can treat you. For instance driving 50 miles out of rte to get to a terminal to get fuel,and have to sit there for 2 to 3 hrs waiting for your turn loosing sleep time in the process just to save them 2 cents a gal? This cost the drivers 3 hrs but it saves them money. The terminal shower facilities are a disgrace I wouldn't bath my dog in them.



Yes as you can guess I came over from MS Carriers in the so called merger,as we all know it was not merger it was a sell out by Mike Starns,now that was a company that cared about the drivers comfort,including bunk rooms to get some sleep when your trk was in the shop,at least 4-5 private shower rooms at each terminal. Simple things like inside fuel lanes so when it rains or its freezing outside at least you can be out of the weather,not Swift,they close down inside fuel lanes and put us out in the cold but they don't care its just a bunch of dumb truck drivers. Our mothers and dads never taught us amy better (that is if we even know who our dads are and assuming we have mothers)



I know we were sold out and now we are employed by Swift,and I can leave any time,I am not one who likes to change employers I was with MS for nine years.Im 45 and have had 3 jobs since high school and one was the military. So what does that tell you,I guess my point to the young driver is this: there are much better companys than Swift don't give up! You can make a nice living out here and be respected by your employer.Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

I have worked for Swift for almost six Months now. When i was ready to go back to work after a Year almost 2 years not behind the the wheel of a truck, Swift was the only Company That would accept my employment. They gave me a break and in return I became A Driver Trainer. This is how payed Swift Back for HELPING ME OUT!. I have never sat longer than 2 hours waiting for A preplan unless i wanted it. You are paid what your Worth. It sounds as if you would rather complain than Drive as many Truck rivers Do.

Ive been drivin a swift truck for 5 years 3 months,and hate it, lol..time to go to work now, have a nice day!Be safe out there!

I want to support this driver in light of all the somewhat insulting responses I just read. Driver, you are not alone. I know there are a number (possibly/hopefully a majority) of truckers who absolutely love the lifestyle or at least find it worth the problems. God bless you and good luck.



However, some people do NOT want to live for weeks at a time in a truck, working any and all hours, sitting without pay, not getting home, etc. Been there, done that. Grateful to have a job? So, we all should go back to the sweat shops and never consider that a good, reliable, hard-working employee might just deserve respect and decent treatment?



If you bought a new car, you would expect it to start reliably, be capable of nearing the test EPA, etc. Why then, is it so unreasonable to expect these trucking companies to fulfill their promises? Those drivers who, for whatever reason, don't or can't do the common OTR (48 and Canada, irregular hrs, home every 3 wks or so) should not be abused because they expect to work under the arrangement they agreed to when they took the job.



Would any of you stay if you weren't PAID what YOU agreed to? Why are all the other conditions of employment so denigrated? If a company cannot provide home time, regional areas and such, THEY SHOULDN'T PROMISE THEM!!! The average worker (with the exception of truck drivers) can expect to sleep in their own bed every night, make plans with family and friends, not set foot in NYC in their lives if they so choose. Drivers give up a lot for supposedly great pay.



The turnover rate in this industry is incredibly high, in part because of the misrepresentations and outright lies recruiters and others tell. Many people (myself included) are capable of many different types and levels of employment. We look at the potential pros and cons of different jobs and companies and try to make an informed decision. It is only common sense to acknowledge that someone trying to make a sale will exaggerate and bend the truth a touch. BUT it is also reasonable to expect those terms stated as absolutes be honored.



Safe driving, reliability, customer service, neat appearance and hard work should be more important than the ability to stay away from home and drive anywhere/anytime. There is room in this profession for all of us. All of you doing th 48-and-Canada should be better paid for this inconvenience. It is not necessary for everyone.



You're not better, but you should be better paid. I'm tired of getting a bunch of insults thrown at me ONLY because I want to see my home regularly and don't want to add to the crime victim's statistics in certain places.

I worked for Swift for nine and a half months. I had and excellent Driver Manager. I got the miles, area and pay that was promised. The only problem I had was when I got injured they truned their backs on me.

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: RPTaylor414@aol.com

Their name: Rod Taylor



Their relationship to the company: Supporter



Rebuttal:

I was a swift driver for 18 months before I left the industry,(do to obligatins)or I would still be driving. I must say that it sounds like this guy did not give his career choice the time needed to find out that a certain amount of give and take is a must in every trucking company. If he would have stayed he would have seen, as I did, that the job and the company gets better. Swift dose not send a driver with 6 months experiance on transcontinental, high value, or time sensitive loads.



I truly can't understand his problem with pay all of swift's pay rates are posted and a list of X-pay (pay for doing extra work) is available from your driver manager.



As he said himself "I gave up..."when he should have given it some time, or, changed his driver manager. I hope he is happier now, because there is far to much time when your driving to sit and stew over the bad things.

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: tj12@cablespeed.com

Their name: joe morris



Their relationship to the company: Supporter



Rebuttal:



IM A DRIVER FOR SWIFT THERE ARE THINGS I DONT

LIKE BUT THATS WITH ANY JOB.MAYBE THE GUY SHOULD

HAVE LOOKED INTO GETTING A DIFFERENT DRIVER MAN-

AGER.ALTHOUGH THE JOB TITLE IS LONG HAUL DRIVER.

YOU GO WHEREVER THEY SEND YOU.WHICH IS WHERE THE

LOADS ARE AND WHERE THEY GO.FOR THOSE WHO WANT

YO BE PICKIE ABOUT WHERE THEY GO BUY YOUR OWN

TRUCK AND WORK FOR YOURSELF.

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: MHCH3751@YAHOO.COM

Their name: MAX HERRICK



Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

If the individual that drove for Swift, is so taken aback, that he cannot see the roses for the weeds, then he had better get out of the industry for good. We, who have been in the industry for a while, on my part it's thirty years, have seen that some companies can and will, get you what you asked and signed for, if they cannot, there must be a good bonified reason for them not to. I drove truck and bus, for over thirty years, and can

attest to the fact that you don't always get what you want out of a job. In so many words,, I gueess I am trying to say "GET IN, SIT DOWN, AND DO THE JOB" Just be thankful that you have a job to do.

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:



Their email: mary.shelley@att.net

Their name: GUY SHELLEY

Their phone number: (801) 486-6047

Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion



Rebuttal:

I HAVE WORKED IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY FOR NEARLY 5 YEARS NOW. I WAS LOOKING IN THE MSN SEARCH ENGINE AND FOUND THIS.



FROM WHAT I READ THIS WAS A NEW DRIVER IN THE INDUSTERY BECAUSE EVERYONE WITH EXPERENCE KNOWS THE THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS FULL OF DISAPOINTMENTS. THE SWIFT COMPANY LIKE MOST CARRIERS DELIVER 48 STATES THERE ARE REGIONS DEVELOPTED BUT THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE FRIEGHT MOVING AS FRIEGHT DEMANDS.



I DROVE FOR A YEAR AND 1/2 AND IN THE 3 AND 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN THE OFFICE I HAVE NOTICE THAT THERE ARE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF DRIVER OUT THERE NOW, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE COMPANYS THEY WORK FOR, ONLY ABOUT THEMSELVES. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR NOW HAVE LOST SEVERAL ACCOUNTS BECAUSE THE DRIVER DON'T CARE TO DO THIER JOBS AND THERE JOB IS MOSTLY TO SHUT UP AND DRIVE THE TRUCK.