Dave
Novi,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, October 30, 2009
After reading many of the negative posts about Swift and other trucking companies out there that seem to not treat their drivers with respect, my question is this: Are there any GOOD companies to drive for??
I am new to the trucking industry. I dont have my CDL yet. Im trying to do some homework and research before attending a CDL school (in Michigan). Does anyone have any comments or suggestions regarding some companies that DO treat their drivers FAIRLY. Are there any companies that pay their drivers fairly.. give their drivers good home time and vacation time.. keep their promises.. has good communications with their drivers.. has good ethical standards.. and generally has good management practices???
Ive read so much about bad companies.. lets hear about the good companies.
Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.
Dave
Novi, Michigan
(((ROR redacted)))
Oldtimer
Tacoma,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, February 07, 2009
This is just a commentary for "wow am i stupid" and the driver given rebuttal to. First of all, 15 years with Swift is a major accomplishment in and of itself-good for you and happy trails to the end. You're right about the drivers' responsibility to check the BOL's and to not fly off the handle when dealing with such situations but after having read the initial complaint, the BOL situation was nothing compared to all else that had been endured. Re-read the complaints against Swift and as a matter of fact, not only this driver's legitimate complaints but the many others that have surfaced over the years and you should see that there's a consistent pattern of common discourse. Honestly, in all of your experience were you the exception to the standard? So, is it the driver(s) or is it a company structure problem? Currently there's a class action law suit in the works against Swift in the interest of their drivers (current and former) for gross mileage shortages and payroll inconsistencies. They're not the only one's who miss the mark when it comes to mileage deficits and other than companies that pay hourly, I don't think there's any trucking company that pays by the hub mile anymore which would compensate a driver for the true miles driven. I remember getting paid by the hub mile but that was back in the 1980's. Well anyway, as far as the mileage deficits go for truck drivers these days, the common come back when asked about the difference in paid miles versus actual miles driven is usually because of the use of the household movers guide but, they don't tell you (nor do most drivers ask) if that's how they bill their customers for services rendered. I seriously doubt it. Regardless of what is or not, Swift and a few other large scale trucking companies are extreme about the differences between paid and actual miles-so much so that it's abusive. I drove for Swift from '99-2004, and found consistently that each dispatched trip other than a local "favor" run would be 60-200 miles short compared to true miles. Even in Los Angeles 60 miles puts you out into another zip code. Aside from all of that disclosure about mileage deficits, the complaints about lack of communication, problems with on-road, problems with equipment and getting it resolved...takes me back to many similar experiences I had with Swift and am really surprised to hear that after all of these years passed since being a "Swifty" these problems still exist. Once again, I have to allude to the fact that Swift isn't the only problem trucking company-there are hundreds of them alike. There's a pathetic disconnect between those who work in the offices of these companies and the one's who don't. In closing, I leave you all with my own sum of it all which is: If trucking is the backbone of America, then America needs a chiropractor.
Wow I Am Stupid
Tucson,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, February 04, 2009
First off i hope your child and wife are well. i worked for swift for 15 years. you admitted you did not read bol your bad. swift in orientation tells you they pay by household movers guide as well as some other companies still pay by this. i learned a long time ago if driver managers or other supervisors over drivers do not listen get another one. I know swift is not the best but alot of the times if driver took time to learn the system instead of flying off the handle things get done earlier before a major problem starts.