Swift Transportation Liars, rip off, scam artists Sumner, Washington
I have been driving for Swift for almost 6 months. In that time I have found them to be the worst company I have ever worked for.
Since day one they have made promise after promise and have never kept their word.
Their safety team preaches safety and following the FSMCR rules but the DMs and planners cow you into breaking the rules. You are forced to drive unsafe trucks and if you complain you are punished by not getting loaner trucks.
You are promised a minimum of 2000 miles a week but I am lucky to get that in a month.
As for pay I have yet go get promised layover or breakdown pay.
The corporate culture is to not give a d**n about the drivers. They routinely lie to the drivers and look for new ways to stab us in the back, and the harder you try to please them the worse they treat you.
I work heavy haul out of Seattle and the equipment is all stuff that all the other terminals are retiring because of too many miles so they send it to us to run the real heavy loads. Needless to saY breakdowns are common but breakdown pay doesn't exist no matter what their ads say.
Then you have the manditory training that you are not paid for.
Unfortunately Swift is one of the few companies that will hire new drivers.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Another lied to Swift Driver
Marysville,Washington,
USA
Bad Employer
#4Author of original report
Mon, February 21, 2011
If I force the issue then they will back down and then I get punished with fewer loads and fewer miles.
As for OTR, I did that for a while and found 3-4 days of sitting till the next load. I see guys every day who are OTR and getting the same treatment.
My financial goals are NOT to be elligible for food stamps!
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Response to the Swift employee
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, February 14, 2011
Unfortunately the ultimate responsibility for HOS compliance is on the driver.
If the driver violates HOS regulations, the penalties fall only on the driver.
Nobody can force a driver to violate HOS rules.
The driver needs to just grow a backbone and refuse to do so.
Legally this is the driver's responsibility.
As far as the layover pay and breakdown pay goes, that time must be accurately recorded on your logbook for you to get paid.
The OP never specified if he/she was a company driver or a lease driver. This makes a big difference. The "loaner" truck thing was confusing.
Also, nobody can force a driver to operate an unsafe vehicle. Again, legally, it is up to that driver to write up the unsafe condition and take that vehicle out of service. If the company retaliates, that is a separate issue.
Cliff67
United States of AmericaGo up the food chain!
#4UPDATE Employee
Sun, February 13, 2011
If you feel that you are due layover or breakdown pay and you have reviewed the guidelines in your Blue Handbook... talk to your Fleet or Terminal Manager. Their jobs do depend on their ability to keep you as a productive employee.
If you are being forced to work over your 14/70 get with the regional Safety coordinator. Any DM with half a brain will not make their drivers do this. It has been forced into our brains that if you cause injury or death and we knowingly told you to drive illegally, we will be fined and improsoned along with you!
January and February are historically the worst months of the year for miles...if your miles were poor in November and December get out of the heavy haul division or speak with your terminal manager about your miles and concerns. The time is coming very soon when the company will take away the benefits of those drivers not driving 6500 miles a month.