Question:
Some of you read my first 28 days with a trainer and made some comments. Well now is my horror story for the second 28 which turned into 35 days with another newbie. The 4x4 system with Swift (4weeks with a trainer and 4 weeks with another newbie) is a total flop in my opinion. I was stuck with a guy so big,450lbs that he couldn`t even get into the cab without sweating and huffing and puffing. He ran I-5 dedicated with his trainer and backed up 4 whole times in 28 days. He`s scary to ride with.Didn`t know how to downshift, didn`t know how to upshift, doesn`t know how to use mirrors,(ran three people off the road merging right)We had some serious talks after that.Dosen`t know how to tripplan or basicly do anything related to driving. He still, after 35 days out doesn`t know how to back. I tried to help him, but he just doesn`t get it, so i did most of the backing which helped my backing alot.He would get lost, drive for three hours, wake me up and say "I thing we`re lost" DUH.He couldn`t read a map. I don`t know how people like this get CDL`s.its been hell for me for the last 5 weeks.Now Swift tells me that peolple arn`t quiting because of the poor economy so trucks are hard to find, and if I want to drive I`ll have to do it with him untill a truck comes free.I`ve got 9 weeks driving with this company, and I do appreciate the fact that they gave me a chance, but i can`t wait to get a real driving job.Fot the good stuff, The miles have been pretty good, and we only had one dr unload.They are pretty good about lumpers at the food wherehouses.Most of the runs were drop and hook. We did have a long wait at a Flordia water bottlers, and I`m still fighting for the layover pay I was promised.My DM is a pretty good guy, but calling my terminal after six o`clock is a joke. I was on hold for 40 mins, and finnaly called another terminal for the fuel authorization I needed, Oh yea, you have to fuel at thier terminals even if they are out of the way, only to get ther and find out that they only will give ya 75gals, just enough to get ya to the next terminal. kinda chicken$hit if ya ask me. Some times the lines at the fuel islands a 45 min long.Rember,It`s the drivers time,not the co`s.All in All, I`ve learned alot, in spite of who I`m driving for, and I`ll continue to drive for them for about six months when I`ll try for a job at home.
fishman

Answer:
When I was there you had to be without a load or dispatch for 24 consecutive hours before getting layover pay, meaning you could MT out at noon on Tues, get dispatched at 11 am on Weds on a load that picked up 3 blocks away at 8 am Friday and never qualify for a penny of layover pay. Also Swift never did pay detention pay. So I really hope they changed some since I was there a few years ago.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
After that litany of what your co-driver couldn't do, why don't you drop a dime on your DM and tell him what your co-driver can't do and suggest he go back with a trainer again and then you have your single ride? BOL

Answer:
Sealord, thats a good idea. If it's fact that the guy is that bad you certainly wouldn't be doing anything wrong. You would be saving us all a little grief if we got in his way.
I can't imagine working for a company that hires as many newbies as they can just so they have a constant driver pool. They must know that most will quit no matter what. I think it's a regular thing for them and has little to do with the economy. Just my guess.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
I wonder if Swift is giving them a BS story about not having any trucks just to keep them teaming longer. I just talked to a friend of mine in Phoenix who drives for them and he says there are plenty of empty trucks around.

Answer:
I wonderded the same thing myself. I have never known Swift to be anywhere near 100% capacity. Of course it could also be that they are still assigning trucks to terminals and saltrod's home terminal is running low on trucks.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
I talked to my DM this morning and told him about my co-driver. He is going to send him out with a trainer for a cou[ple of weeks, and I got a Columbia waiting for me to go out on Friday. I just couldn`t send this guy out knowing what I do, my consience wouldn`t let me. Besides, you all might just thank me, cause he may not back-up into your truck.The thing about the truck shortage is that trucks are assigned to terminals and Latrop Ca. is low on trucks.As for the layover pay, the promise is on the Q-com.
fishman]

Answer:
heard it's because of the new emission standards in '03's. Some terminals are now asking for solo drivers to take 4x4 trainees with them because of the long wait for tractors.

Answer:
Those (edited) in lathrop suck. They cant even put a real coffee machine in the terminal.

Answer:
Would Swift Hire someone who's had 2 accidents in a year?? And should I talk to the safety dept. before I talk to a recruiter?

Answer:
Holy snikeys..........I was never so glad to get the hell away from an outfit than the day i rolled outa that Phx terminal for the last time(with my DM on my tail squawkin,"you'll be back") I did go back,to take her to lunch one day with the extra $$$ I was making because i could actually run and log faster than 58 GODFORSAKEN MILES AN HOUR!!!!!!I will give them credit for one thing,they taught me how to drive a truck,and paired me with an absolutely outstanding trainer(which i guess was just pure luck) But other than that I learned nothing else from SWIFT except stay as far away as you possibly can
CD
"Not all who wander are lost"~J.R.R.Tolkien recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
I suspect you could make a good case to your manager that you HAVE to get off THAT truck. Your personal safety, etc....
They MUST have other drivers who want to switch teamates. I don't see why they wouldn't want to give you at least ONE opportunity with someone else, if that's the only alternative to you resigning.
Of course, you might end-up with someone just as bad or worse, and there could be a good delay until they get you re-matched
I wouldn't be worrried about making a bad impression or soiling your record (tc) by making this demand -- given you stress your personal safety and sincere interest in achieving the company's goals as a quality driver. Might be worth a try, especially if you're going to be pulling into one of their terminals where trucks are assigned, etc.