March 5, 2012
Well, some things have changed. Hopefully for the good.
Remember back in November I wrote to everyone at Swift I could think of(just need firstname underscore lastname @ swifttrans.com) Complaining of our miles. The COO Mr. Stocking, and our terminal manager thought we should be getting more miles and they would do all they could to help us. We wanted at least 5000 miles a week. We would LOVE to get 6000. That would put us closer to retirement.
Since that letter we averaged about 4500 miles a week. We continued to complain to our Driver Manager about our miles. We told her what we thought the biggest problem was, waiting for a load. Sometimes we would sit 24 hours just because they need a hazmat team to drive fedex 700 miles. Not a good use of our time.
No response and no change.
We were always told the same thing, Freight is low......
But, If the wheels ain't turning then I ain't earning
We have talked to team drivers who are getting over 5000 a week. We have talked to solo drivers who are getting 4000 a week. Why are we getting just a little more than a solo driver. Yes we also talked to drivers getting what we are getting, but the point is other drivers get more miles and we what to, too.
I sent an email to our DM and Terminal manager 'officially' complaining about miles and sitting time. 2 days later on Friday, we were sitting in Georgia, and no load. We sat 4 hours and no preplan. We felt like we were being spanked for complaining yet again.
Will said that's it we quit
We sent a message to our dm telling her since there were no loads in Georgia we were headed home to clean out the truck.
Posted the truck on the Swift Facebook page.
Anybody interested in taking over lease of 2010 International Prostar. 1 yr left on lease. Neither driver smokes. We will leave microwave, refrigerator, 15” flat screen tv w/built in dvd player. Also will leave complete set of chains for truck and trailer including a set of cable chains for the tractor. And to help get you started we will give you $1000. Nice way to see if o/o is for you.
I wrote an exit letter and sent it to the same people I sent my November letter to. It basically said the same thing, complaining about miles, sitting time, lack of response from our terminal and saying we were currently bob-tailing from Georgia to Phoenix to either turn in our truck or change terminals.
I don't have to tell you how shocked I was , when just a few hours later, I checked facebook and email before going to bed, there was an email from Mr. Stocking. He said He would get us a load and work this problem out.
WOW
I just figured they would all get the email Monday morning.
WOW
We were nervous. This is the second time Mr Stocking has helped us. It is a little nerve raking to be at the bottom rung of the ladder and get help from someone at the top rung. Not even “just' someone at the top THE ONE AT THE TOP. We don't want to let him down. But I think he believe we should be getting more miles, otherwise he would have just said to himself...screw these whinny drivers I don't need another head ache, let them quit
He did fix things. (We think anyway) He got us a load to Phoenix. And we changed termnials. We are no longer out of Troutdale Oregon We are now out of Lewsiton Idaho.
Lewiston, ID on left and Clarkston, WA on right ofSnake River
Our new driver manager is able to plan her own loads. What? I didn't know that was possible. It doesn't seem fair either. Doesn't seem fair to the drivers who have a dm that has to rely on load-planners to dispatch their drivers. Doesn't seem fair to the dm's that have to put up with drivers complaining of their loads, when really that dm has little to do with our load.
But, We are happy for the change and excitted about the possibiltys.
We will be home in a few weeks. Need to take care of doctor apt. And there is a girls day out on the town planned. Myself, my mom and my sisters are planning to go see Wicked.
My sister Sally and I already saw it, but it was so good Sally talked mom and Theresa into going.
Love and miss you all
