SWIFT!

[vision386]

Got to see this in action today,Queens,NY Home Depot,single lane around the store to the docks,i'm number 3 in line,Swift is 1st, un-fortunately (for SWIFT) it's a blindside dock! well,after about an hour of pull up back up pull up back up, guy comes out of the store,starts raising hell with the "driver" who almost instantly starts crying! (It was a man) who was dressed like a woman! so the guy tells him either get backed in the dock,or go to the back of the line (about 15 trucks by now) well now this dipshit cant get out of the situation he put himself in going forward! guy looks at me, "Clark,can YOU get in there around this asshole"? Oh hell yeah! went around him while still trying to get moved out,backed in (one shot) shucked 43 pieces,bills signed,trailer doors closed BEFORE this guy got straight enough to pull forward! don't think I've seen that many pissed off truck drivers in a LONG time! Just one more reason just because your un-employment runs out,does'nt mean you should be a truck driver!....................................Mark

[HeavyGunner]

Swift rented a gravel parking lot near the intersection hwy 2 and i15 and the highway is black coming out of that lot because there drivers don't make sure their tires are turning and never do realize it until they blow. I saw one of the swift trucks this past winter with a driver pulling his trailer with smoke rolling off his duals. I flashed my headlights at him and he kept on trucking. The next day by his tire marks I could see he drove nearly a quarter of a mile, found a wide spot, turned around and drug the locked up wheels back to the lot where he started!

[PeterMack]

Ahh Swift. See What I F-cked up today. Slow Wagons in fast traffic.

I heard they were getting out of the tanker business because to many drivers drowned trying to put the load bars in.

[maint1]

I was running across 35 in Ohio the other night in the rain and everyone was mad at a Swift for holding up traffic, my mind flashed back 40 years and it was me running 52 and 100 thru the Va. And W.Va. Mountains in the fog with a line of trucks behind me. Finally found a place to pull over and let them pass, 10 minutes later had another line of trucks behind me that ran that road every night, and knew every curve. The memory made me feel bad for the Swift driver on 35.

[Brocky]

Dave

But you pulled over and let traffic pass.. I presume the Swift driver did NOT!!

[DCR]

I was running across 35 in Ohio the other night in the rain and everyone was mad at a Swift for holding up traffic, my mind flashed back 40 years and it was me running 52 and 100 thru the Va. And W.Va. Mountains in the fog with a line of trucks behind me. Finally found a place to pull over and let them pass, 10 minutes later had another line of trucks behind me that ran that road every night, and knew every curve. The memory made me feel bad for the Swift driver on 35.

We all have to start somewhere and it is usually the bottom whether it is our chosen career path or gaining driving experience. If we stop and think back we have all made mistakes; some of us admit to them and others don't. We need to be a little more tolerant of the rookies.

[maint1]

Dave

But you pulled over and let traffic pass.. I presume the Swift driver did NOT!!

how did you know? I didn't see you on 35? Lol

[Brocky]

I Had the same experience on old US 60 coming East out of Charleston W VA back before 64 was built.. Double Diamond and Dirty W and some others pileing up behind me as I had a nose/top heavy dry bulk trailer.

[farmer52]

I am no expert when it comes to driving or backing a semi. The other week I backed into a space at Breezywood and I am sure there were observers laughing at me. That 28' trailer has a mind of its own.

If it were me, if I could not back it in within a few tries (and if there is a line) I would pull out and let the others unload. But then again, I am sure Swiffer wants the driver to unload ASAP and move on to the next destination. It is amazing how easily some steering wheel holders drivers are able to get their CDL and a job with a major trucking company with little or no experience. Most companies want at least two (2) years OTR experience before they will consider you. And I do not consider a lot of drivers as "professionals" based on their attire. That includes other professions, not just trucking. Just my 2-1/2 cents.

[maint1]

The thing that bothers me is that when they go to their yard why don't they practice until they become a pro. Somewhere along the line they have accepted that they are not very good at backing, but don't have the work ethic to practice. They have plenty of time and space at their yard. The added advantage is that they hit their own trailers instead of everyone else

[mowerman]

lol...thats funny shit,,,dont see many of them,,,,on my ventures,,,,like the part abouit dressed like a woman,,,,thats what most of these idiots look like these days.looks like they wear thier wifes clothes...bob..

[mowerman]

I am no expert when it comes to driving or backing a semi. The other week I backed into a space at Breezywood and I am sure there were observers laughing at me. That 28' trailer has a mind of its own.

If it were me, if I could not back it in within a few tries (and if there is a line) I would pull out and let the others unload. But then again, I am sure Swiffer wants the driver to unload ASAP and move on to the next destination. It is amazing how easily some steering wheel holders drivers are able to get their CDL and a job with a major trucking company with little or no experience. Most companies want at least two (2) years OTR experience before they will consider you. And I do not consider a lot of drivers as "professionals" based on their attire. That includes other professions, not just trucking. Just my 2-1/2 cents.

saw some black chick get outa a us express truck at our salt lake terminal with PJ bottoms on,,,and i was thinkin are u shitten me???? you reall gonna walk into dispatch that way??? i dont know why these gippo outfits,,dont provide uniforms,,,,come on now (REALLY)...bob

[gearhead204]

i think most of them had uniforms! but when they wore them they had to ask " DO YOU WANT FRYS WITH THAT " or " WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPERSIZE YOU ORDER TODAY?"

Just my thoughts on this whole deal!

Swift= Sure Wished I Finished Training or as i like to refer to them as " NOT SO" as in not so swift! I 90 out here is full of them, and i try my hardest to keep the superliner far, far away from them.

[vision386]

I respect and understand DCR's opinion,everyone (including myself) did indeed start somewhere,but these "driving school drop-outs" are becoming the bane of the trucking industry! One difference is that I WANTED to be a driver like my Dad and Grand-Dad,was'nt a "last ditch effort" after failing at everything else. I do more and cover more ground in a day then most of these nood-nicks do in a week! And therefore cannot afford to be held up at every stop by someone who doesn't have the skill or desire to do a proper job. My Grand-Dad used to have an expression for this,"If you want to be a Lumberjack,you should be able to hold up your end of the log"! I am sure some of the big carriers have some decent drivers,problem is I just don't see them anywhere? Not everyone is cut out for life on the road,and that has never been more apparent to me then in the past few years,some of the things I see people do in a truck on almost a daily basis scares the S**T outta me! Some of what I see getting out of trucks isn't much better,what happened to pride in profession? Bathing? clean clothes? Deoderant? shoes? I manage to get cleaned up everyday,one way or another? Don't own flip-flops,sweatpants,or anything of the sort.

I may be a dinosaur,but I represent my company in a professional manner,respect my customers,and my equipment to the tune of 3.5 million miles safe driving! run clean,safe equipment,and do what I say I'm going to do,right wrong or in-different!............Rants over,back to your regularly scheduled programming!.............................Mark

[farmer52]

Mark,

I don't think anyone is questioning you or what you saw. I wish more drivers were like you and many others here on BMT. I am from the "older" generation and I was taught like you. Even tho I am retired, unless I am working outside, I try to dress neat and keep clean. Seems many people I see dress like "walmartians". I think what is missing is PRIDE. I take pride in who I am and what I do.

I agree with maint1, practice practice practice.

[NoClueJoe66]

I respect and understand DCR's opinion,everyone (including myself) did indeed start somewhere,but these "driving school drop-outs" are becoming the bane of the trucking industry! One difference is that I WANTED to be a driver like my Dad and Grand-Dad,was'nt a "last ditch effort" after failing at everything else. I do more and cover more ground in a day then most of these nood-nicks do in a week! And therefore cannot afford to be held up at every stop by someone who doesn't have the skill or desire to do a proper job. My Grand-Dad used to have an expression for this,"If you want to be a Lumberjack,you should be able to hold up your end of the log"! I am sure some of the big carriers have some decent drivers,problem is I just don't see them anywhere? Not everyone is cut out for life on the road,and that has never been more apparent to me then in the past few years,some of the things I see people do in a truck on almost a daily basis scares the S**T outta me! Some of what I see getting out of trucks isn't much better,what happened to pride in profession? Bathing? clean clothes? Deoderant? shoes? I manage to get cleaned up everyday,one way or another? Don't own flip-flops,sweatpants,or anything of the sort.

I may be a dinosaur,but I represent my company in a professional manner,respect my customers,and my equipment to the tune of 3.5 million miles safe driving! run clean,safe equipment,and do what I say I'm going to do,right wrong or in-different!............Rants over,back to your regularly scheduled programming!.............................Mark

I agree with you 100%, your not becoming a dinosaur you just have respect for yourself, others,and your job. I never have claimed to know everything about trucking and probably never will,but you have to be willing to learn the job. That's what a lot of the New drivers don't wanna do. My whole trucking career i've always watched others, asked advice and picked up on a lot. The whole backing up deal to me is set yourself up, look at everything around you. I'll be the first to admit i've screwed up a few times, but I learned from my mistakes and a lot of these new drivers don't care if they do. I agree with farmer and maint1, practice......it's really getting sad out here anymore

[NoClueJoe66]

saw some black chick get outa a us express truck at our salt lake terminal with PJ bottoms on,,,and i was thinkin are u shitten me???? you reall gonna walk into dispatch that way??? i dont know why these gippo outfits,,dont provide uniforms,,,,come on now (REALLY)...bob

she was wearing one of there uniforms, dirty sweat pants was probably on back order.....lol

[wingman]

I started out at the Double Diamond until they closed their doors, then Giant Food. Giant made you jockey for 2 years before you hit the street. That guaranteed you could back up!

[gearhead204]

RESPECT! .... thats whats missing in damn near every community and every trade, respect for your fellow man, respect for your job and respect for life! That said, you also have to earn RESPECT! and its not done by presenting yourself as a retired slob, dirty sweaty and greasy is just fine with me if you got it on you in the last 24 hours!........ the last 24 days is unexceptable. These slobs climbing out of a truck looking like a troll, doesn't do anybody any good . Drivers used to be considered stewards of the hwy..... now their viewed as a hazmat spill waiting to happen

[HeavyGunner]

lol...thats funny shit,,,dont see many of them,,,,on my ventures,,,,like the part abouit dressed like a woman,,,,thats what most of these idiots look like these days.looks like they wear thier wifes clothes...bob..

I would see Swift drivers fairly often when I was running the yard dog for Fed Ex in Boise Bob. They would bring break bulk loads of Walmart freight from Sparks, Nevada to Boise and I honestly can say I was NEVER impressed with any of them. I think others on this thread touched on why. Not only were their driving, parking, backing skills sub par and they were usually sloppily dressed, but they seemed content in doing the bare minimum. I have a hard time considering people professionals, when they treat their professional life just like there personal life i.e. Always doing the bare minimum whether it's personal grooming, pride or actually wanting to do a good job no matter what job they're at. I understand everybody has to start somewhere, but I also think the difference can be seen when someone WANTS to learn rather than collect a paycheck. I learned to drive working on farms right after high school, I'm sure I screwed up a lot but I was determined to learn to drive a truck. When I turned 21 I got my class A with every endorsement and eventually go hired on at Fed Ex and I jumped at the chance to run the yard dog hooking and unhooking sets and backing trailers up to the dock all the while other trucks and sets and yard dogs were going. It was a huge learning opportunity and now I have the confidence to back anything up anywhere. Even the A train I drive now gets backed up a little ways every now and then ( just until the pup gets to running away on me and I don't have enough room to correct it).

[41chevy]

This article is mostly from the Small Business Association on line news letter from a few months ago. Fits here pretty well.

One of the big problems in America today is that a lot of people simply do not seem to care about what they are doing anymore. The level of sloth, laziness lack of personal pride and apathy that we are witnessing in this country is absolutely mind-numbing. Of course this is not true of everyone. There are still many Americans that are extremely hard working, dress appropriately for their job and take great pride in what and how well they do their job. But overall, it really appears that people are not taking as much pride in their work as they once did. Some of the examples that I am about to show you are quite funny. Others are more than just a little bit disturbing. But they all have a common theme. Americans from all walks of life are simply giving up. Whether they are teachers, delivery people or fast food workers, the truth is that there are a whole lot of people out there that seem to have mentally checked out of caring about anything more than their pay check.

For example, take a close look at the midterm exam posted below. Does anything stand out to you?...

What is undeniable, on the other hand, is that there are a lot of people out there that simply do not bother to care anymore.

Watch a postal worker drive her truck on to someone's lawn. She is so lazy that she doesn't even have the energy to take a few steps and place the package at the customer's door...

And another postal worker does not even get out of his truck. He just carelessly tosses a package (which could contain something very expensive) toward the customer's home...

https://youtu.be/IzhLv0NN5oc

What would cause someone to act like that?

What has caused so many Americans to no longer take any pride in their work?

Lack or Pride and slothfulness is a terrible thing. And it isn't just a few people that are being that way either. This is a national disease. I like how Doctor Ben Carson put it in his recent article on the state of the American work ethic....

"The government controlled public education system has flourished beyond all expectations of your owners. We’ve become a nation of techno-narcissistic, math challenged, reality TV distracted, welfare entitled, materialistic, gluttonous, indebted consumers of Chinese slave labor produced crap who care little about anything that interferes with pursuit of those things they feel owed to them."

It really does seem like most people are walking around in a fog these days or waiting for the President or local government to give them more things.

Maybe the fact that 70 million Americans are on mind-altering drugs has something to do with it.

I really don't know.

But unless Americans start taking more pride in their work again and start living their lives with meaning and purpose, it is going to be very difficult to envision a positive future for this country.

[Ezrider]

i had one not to long ago at a truck stop. i wasn't going to be there long but had to make a stop. pull into a truck stop spot a open spot next to a swift back it into the hole first shot no problem (pretty easy spot really) im in my truck getting some paperwork squared away he has the hood open and it pacing around engine running. hot humid day. he is walking over to me as im getting out of my truck to run inside quick. then first he tells me how quick and easy i made it look to get into that spot. then tells me it took him 15 mins to get backed in there. then he tells me that he has something leaking on his truck and doesn't know what to do. so i told him i would take a peek at it quick. walk over there and he points it out and it was just water condensation from the ac running on a humid day.

ended up spending a few mins talking to him. really nice guy just got out of training. but gawd they don't teach them poor souls anything.

[gearhead204]

kinda like common core .... just teach to the test! and all will be well!...... dont bother teaching any real world skills........must be like the old saying" those who cant do it themselfs .... teach"

[mowerman]

just wanted to add ive read all the posts here,,,,and thank you all for your expert oppinions,,,,,and nice to know,,,,its not just me,,,,,but i think i got mark beat,,,,my grandpa started with a team of horses,,,around 1910.lol.bob

[41chevy]

kinda like common core .... just teach to the test! and all will be well!...... dont bother teaching any real world skills........must be like the old saying" those who cant do it themselfs .... teach"

Or politicians!!

Sadly teachers do not teach more than the test answers....school aid you know.

My daughter inlaw (the bleeding liberal) was a teacher. She was making just over 95 K a year. She quite teaching, because working 180 days a year, sometimes 8 hours a day in her mind was more work than she was being paid for. The teachers in her school district all had a teachers aide and a teachers assistant to "help" her. She "taught" 3 classes a day @ 46 minutes each and 1 study hall. Works out to a bit over 3 hours of work a day and the balance was free time to do what ever. The Teachers Aide and Teachers Assistants correct the tests and check home work, pass out materials and such. She felt the job was too demanding and that she deserved at least 150K a year for the hours and stress! I don't remember when I last worked only an 8 hour day. I guess most people see work same as she does. Paul