NEGATIVITY

I know this has been brought up before, but I'm bringing it up again. I've just barely made it out of orientation and I'm already sick and tired of all the negativity. Especially when it comes to certain trucking companies. I happened to choose Swift because they offered the pay, opportunities, and home time I was looking for. But I can't believe just how negative people are about Swift! Just because they're Swift. A lot of times that's all you hear. Swift sucks!! They don't even give a good reason--just that Swift Sucks!!! How in the heck do you guys deal with it?

I know this has been brought up before, but I'm bringing it up again. I've just barely made it out of orientation and I'm already sick and tired of all the negativity. Especially when it comes to certain trucking companies. I happened to choose Swift because they offered the pay, opportunities, and home time I was looking for. But I can't believe just how negative people are about Swift! Just because they're Swift. A lot of times that's all you hear. Swift sucks!! They don't even give a good reason--just that Swift Sucks!!! How in the heck do you guys deal with it?

Ignore them. One of the reasons people hate them, is because they are so big. Also, because they are so big, you often see more Swift driver blunders, and accidents, than say, a company with only 500 trucks, so that will also give a generalized negative impression. But mostly, it seems like a good portion of today's drivers aren't happy unless they can complain about something. You don't owe any haters an explanation, just smile, and go on about making your paycheck, safely, and happily.

Just learn to ignore it. Swift has the fortune and misfortune of being one of the larger carriers out there and by default, incidents get more recognition. If not for social media, you wouldn't be aware of the number of incidents they have even though as an overall percentage they're no worse than anyone else. They did recently admit having to scale back on new equipment purchases in part to the cost of accidents and such which led them to examining their training and making adjustments. When you look at the mistakes drivers make, most are common sense issues and people being over confident or just not paying attention which is one thing you can never let slide as a professional driver.

Thanks Daniel and Robert. I guess I will have to start practicing my ignoring lol. Honestly, the worst ones IMO are the ones who say they work for Swift or used to work for them. One just argued with me that he used to work for Swift, got his cdl with them and did road training with them. "They just threw me in a solo truck without teaching me how to back." Maybe I'm missing something huge and I'm the idiot here, but as far as I am aware, that's utter bull. I know what Swift training is like, how difficult the cdl test is, what the road training requirements are. It's just not possible. Sorry, rant over. I'll just learn to ignore idiots. LOL. Thanks guys.

Swift is a starter company - they hire people with no experience and a fresh CDL license. So a larger portion of their drivers have rather little OTR experience.

From outside Swift you get the jokes that Swifties can't back up, etc.

From the new Swift drivers you get the losers complaining, and of course blaming the company.

I've found, especially, some people who have not had serious jobs before (jobs more involved than fast food, retail floor/stock, etc.) may have a hard time with all the rules and pressure to perform that they haven't had before. That's a reason to hire veterans, who have learned how organisations work.

So when the Next Step in the new driver's life experience happens, it's a shock. And they complain & whine.

Yep just ignore them and do your thing safely. Back in the day is was J.B Hunt that was allways the joke and I remember some taking it to the extreme like pulling their 5th wheel while parked. They aint laughing at JB Hunt anymore. Be safe,,,, and enjoy your company that you are at.

Just read for entertainment (b/c you know better) and enjoy your popcorn.

Yep just ignore them and do your thing safely. Back in the day is was J.B Hunt that was allways the joke and I remember some taking it to the extreme like pulling their 5th wheel while parked. They aint laughing at JB Hunt anymore. Be safe,,,, and enjoy your company that you are at.

that aint funny... that's downright messed up... Things like that are why my teachers are saying always check your truck when you park for a period of time like to stop and go to bathroom and what not... personally if I caught someone doing that to my truck... they would quickly learn what a tire thumper is and feels like up the side of their head... you could tell me it was a joke all you want... but it's not and for trying to risk serious dmg to my companies equipment... something that could cost me my career... yeah I would take that seriously.

makes jokes and talking crap is one thing... but this is not even close to be on the same lv...

Not sure who that pic was targeted for Pat... but if it was me, trying to damage someone else's equipment goes beyond childish... you could hurt people and the cost would be quite high... you wanna prank someone... put hot sauce in their beverage while they're not looking... slap em with a handful of shaving cream... but don't mess with their equipment.