Swift Transportation "Safety First"...do they mean it or not??? Phoenix Arizona

William,

About a year ago, I retired from truck driving having worked for Swift for 2 years total, the last year of which I was a Driver Mentor training new drivers, something I thoroughly enjoyed.

Tires - tires are either DOT legal or not. If a driver believes his/her tires are not safe for any reason, you should have immediately taken the tractor to the Tire Shop for inspection and repair. I have never been disappointed at any of Swift's many terminals - especially regarding tire issues. In fact, all the tire shop personnel that I have dealt with at Swift were very helpful and always made sure my tractor's tires were safe.

One thing that all Swift Drivers know is how good the Phoenix Main Terminal shops are, which is only a few hundred miles southwest of Albuqureque, NM. So if another terminal won't address your concerns, just bring it to the attention of the Phoenix Shops when you pass through via I-17 or i-10 and it will be done right, guaranteed!

Electric Power - if you had already started the vehicle, it is a Driver's responsibility to check the voltage meter to make sure the battery is properly charged, which is accomplished by idleing the diesel engine, but you say you just started it then turned it off. Why did you wait so long before doing your pre-trip inspection?

To solve the 'dead battery' problem, every terminal shop has a portable battery charger vehicle (golf cart, etc.) available 24/7 and all a driver has to do to get immediate service is - ask for help.

Qualcomm - you cannot easily accept a Pre Plan or otherwise communicate with your DM and Swift unless your Qualcomm display is in good working condition and functional. Same is true when Swift and your DM want to communicate with a Driver... it goes both ways.
Each terminal Shop has a person who handles installation, maintenance and repair of all Qualcomm equipment. If you have such a problem, "Red Tagging" the vehicle is insufficient, you need to identify and contact the Shop's Qualcomm person and get it fixed. Swift has tons of Qualcomm displays in stock, new and used, and swapping one Display out with a good case, undamaged screen, and fully functional is a 15 minute resolution and very easy to get done.

Pre-Pass - Swift ordered Pre-Pass modules for weigh-station identification without stopping and automatic bypass about 4 years ago. If it was on the dash, all you had to do is contact Permits Department in Phoenix, AZ main terminal, tell them you have a Pre-Pass question, and you will be directed to the responsible person (when I was there, that person was named Keith). Pre-Pass equipment is identified to the Tractor, not to a Driver - you cannot take it with you. The likelihood that the tractor's Pre-Pass box was "activated" to the tractor and functional is very great. If it isn't, then the first time the unit does not flash a Green light to bypass the weigh station and beep sweetly, then you'd know to get it fixed or "activated". So, call Swift's Permits Department and talk to Keith.

According to your story you Red Tagged the vehicle, apparently writing down all the things you found wrong with it - which is appropriate, but then you apparently left the terminal without making sure repairs were done promptly and properly. That was a serious mistake and probably the reason you got a termination letter. If you moved out of the tractor taking your personal gear with you to drive back home, this would communicate to management that you had 'quit' your job by abandoning your assigned truck.

Following through with repairs to your vehicle is an assigned Driver's chief responsibility, and is clearly the reason Swift assumed you were "dissatisfied with Job". It's a little late to be trying to contact or discuss your dismissal with your DM or the Terminal Manager.

If you go to another trucking company for a job, this event will show up on your record and if you give them the same explanation you gave on-line, they probably would not want to hire you.

Even if you don't like the Tractor assigned to you, it is never a good idea to "Red Tag" it then simply go home to Window Rock, William. What else did you do between June 6th and the end of June to make sure your assigned tractor was getting repaired and when it would be available for you to drive?

William,

About a year ago, I retired from truck driving having worked for Swift for 2 years total, the last year of which I was a Driver Mentor training new drivers, something I thoroughly enjoyed.

Tires - tires are either DOT legal or not. If a driver believes his/her tires are not safe for any reason, you should have immediately taken the tractor to the Tire Shop for inspection and repair. I have never been disappointed at any of Swift's many terminals - especially regarding tire issues. In fact, all the tire shop personnel that I have dealt with at Swift were very helpful and always made sure my tractor's tires were safe.

One thing that all Swift Drivers know is how good the Phoenix Main Terminal shops are, which is only a few hundred miles southwest of Albuqureque, NM. So if another terminal won't address your concerns, just bring it to the attention of the Phoenix Shops when you pass through via I-17 or i-10 and it will be done right, guaranteed!

Electric Power - if you had already started the vehicle, it is a Driver's responsibility to check the voltage meter to make sure the battery is properly charged, which is accomplished by idleing the diesel engine, but you say you just started it then turned it off. Why did you wait so long before doing your pre-trip inspection?

To solve the 'dead battery' problem, every terminal shop has a portable battery charger vehicle (golf cart, etc.) available 24/7 and all a driver has to do to get immediate service is - ask for help.

Qualcomm - you cannot easily accept a Pre Plan or otherwise communicate with your DM and Swift unless your Qualcomm display is in good working condition and functional. Same is true when Swift and your DM want to communicate with a Driver... it goes both ways.
Each terminal Shop has a person who handles installation, maintenance and repair of all Qualcomm equipment. If you have such a problem, "Red Tagging" the vehicle is insufficient, you need to identify and contact the Shop's Qualcomm person and get it fixed. Swift has tons of Qualcomm displays in stock, new and used, and swapping one Display out with a good case, undamaged screen, and fully functional is a 15 minute resolution and very easy to get done.

Pre-Pass - Swift ordered Pre-Pass modules for weigh-station identification without stopping and automatic bypass about 4 years ago. If it was on the dash, all you had to do is contact Permits Department in Phoenix, AZ main terminal, tell them you have a Pre-Pass question, and you will be directed to the responsible person (when I was there, that person was named Keith). Pre-Pass equipment is identified to the Tractor, not to a Driver - you cannot take it with you. The likelihood that the tractor's Pre-Pass box was "activated" to the tractor and functional is very great. If it isn't, then the first time the unit does not flash a Green light to bypass the weigh station and beep sweetly, then you'd know to get it fixed or "activated". So, call Swift's Permits Department and talk to Keith.

According to your story you Red Tagged the vehicle, apparently writing down all the things you found wrong with it - which is appropriate, but then you apparently left the terminal without making sure repairs were done promptly and properly. That was a serious mistake and probably the reason you got a termination letter. If you moved out of the tractor taking your personal gear with you to drive back home, this would communicate to management that you had 'quit' your job by abandoning your assigned truck.

Following through with repairs to your vehicle is an assigned Driver's chief responsibility, and is clearly the reason Swift assumed you were "dissatisfied with Job". It's a little late to be trying to contact or discuss your dismissal with your DM or the Terminal Manager.

If you go to another trucking company for a job, this event will show up on your record and if you give them the same explanation you gave on-line, they probably would not want to hire you.

Even if you don't like the Tractor assigned to you, it is never a good idea to "Red Tag" it then go home. What else did you do between June 6th and the end of June to make sure your assigned tractor was getting repaired and when it would be available to you?

William,

About a year ago, I retired from truck driving having worked for Swift for 2 years total, the last year of which I was a Driver Mentor training new drivers, something I thoroughly enjoyed.

Tires - tires are either DOT legal or not. If a driver believes his/her tires are not safe for any reason, you should have immediately taken the tractor to the Tire Shop for inspection and repair. I have never been disappointed at any of Swift's many terminals - especially regarding tire issues. In fact, all the tire shop personnel that I have dealt with at Swift were very helpful and always made sure my tractor's tires were safe.

One thing that all Swift Drivers know is how good the Phoenix Main Terminal shops are, which is only a few hundred miles southwest of Albuqureque, NM. So if another terminal won't address your concerns, just bring it to the attention of the Phoenix Shops when you pass through via I-17 or i-10 and it will be done right, guaranteed!

Electric Power - if you had already started the vehicle, it is a Driver's responsibility to check the voltage meter to make sure the battery is properly charged, which is accomplished by idleing the diesel engine, but you say you just started it then turned it off. Why did you wait so long before doing your pre-trip inspection?

To solve the 'dead battery' problem, every terminal shop has a portable battery charger vehicle (golf cart, etc.) available 24/7 and all a driver has to do to get immediate service is - ask for help.

Qualcomm - you cannot easily accept a Pre Plan or otherwise communicate with your DM and Swift unless your Qualcomm display is in good working condition and functional. Same is true when Swift and your DM want to communicate with a Driver... it goes both ways.
Each terminal Shop has a person who handles installation, maintenance and repair of all Qualcomm equipment. If you have such a problem, "Red Tagging" the vehicle is insufficient, you need to identify and contact the Shop's Qualcomm person and get it fixed. Swift has tons of Qualcomm displays in stock, new and used, and swapping one Display out with a good case, undamaged screen, and fully functional is a 15 minute resolution and very easy to get done.

Pre-Pass - Swift ordered Pre-Pass modules for weigh-station identification without stopping and automatic bypass about 4 years ago. If it was on the dash, all you had to do is contact Permits Department in Phoenix, AZ main terminal, tell them you have a Pre-Pass question, and you will be directed to the responsible person (when I was there, that person was named Keith). Pre-Pass equipment is identified to the Tractor, not to a Driver - you cannot take it with you. The likelihood that the tractor's Pre-Pass box was "activated" to the tractor and functional is very great. If it isn't, then the first time the unit does not flash a Green light to bypass the weigh station and beep sweetly, then you'd know to get it fixed or "activated". So, call Swift's Permits Department and talk to Keith.

According to your story you Red Tagged the vehicle, apparently writing down all the things you found wrong with it - which is appropriate, but then you apparently left the terminal without making sure repairs were done promptly and properly. That was a serious mistake and probably the reason you got a termination letter. If you moved out of the tractor taking your personal gear with you to drive back home, this would communicate to management that you had 'quit' your job by abandoning your assigned truck.

Following through with repairs to your vehicle is an assigned Driver's chief responsibility, and is clearly the reason Swift assumed you were "dissatisfied with Job". It's a little late to be trying to contact or discuss your dismissal with your DM or the Terminal Manager.

If you go to another trucking company for a job, this event will show up on your record and if you give them the same explanation you gave on-line, they probably would not want to hire you.

Even if you don't like the Tractor assigned to you, it is never a good idea to "Red Tag" it then go home. What else did you do between June 6th and the end of June to make sure your assigned tractor was getting repaired and when it would be available to you?

William,

About a year ago, I retired from truck driving having worked for Swift for 2 years total, the last year of which I was a Driver Mentor training new drivers, something I thoroughly enjoyed.

Tires - Tractor tires are either DOT legal or not. Never guess. If a driver believes his/her tires are not safe for any reason, you should have immediately taken your tractor to the Tire Shop for inspection and repair. I have never been disappointed at any of Swift's many terminals - especially regarding tire issues. In fact, all the tire shop personnel that I have dealt with at Swift were very helpful and always made sure my tractor's tires were safe.

One thing that all Swift Drivers know is how good the Phoenix Main Terminal shops are, which is only a few hundred miles southwest of Albuquerque, NM. So if another terminal won't address your concerns, just bring it to the attention of the Phoenix Shops when you pass through via I-17 or i-10 and it will be done right, guaranteed!

Electric Power - if you had already started the vehicle, it is a Driver's responsibility to check the voltage meter to make sure the battery is properly charged, which is accomplished by idleing the diesel engine, but you say you just started it then turned it off. Why did you wait so long before doing your pre-trip inspection?

To solve the 'dead battery' problem, every terminal shop has a portable battery charger vehicle (golf cart, etc.) available 24/7 and all a driver has to do to get immediate service is - ask for help at the Shop, the Fuel Line, or in the Office.

Qualcomm - you cannot easily accept a Pre Plan or otherwise communicate with your DM and Swift unless your Qualcomm display is in good working condition and functional. Same is true when Swift and your DM want to communicate with you as a Driver... it goes both ways.
Each terminal Shop has a person who handles installation, maintenance and repair of all Qualcomm equipment. If you have such an important problem, "Red Tagging" the vehicle is insufficient, you need to identify and contact the Shop's Qualcomm person and get it fixed. Swift has tons of Qualcomm displays in stock, new and used, and swapping one Display out with a good case, undamaged screen, and fully functional is a 15 minute resolution and very easy to get done.

Pre-Pass - Swift ordered Pre-Pass modules for weigh-station identification without stopping and automatic bypass about 4 years ago. If it was on the dash, all you had to do is contact Permits Department in Phoenix, AZ main terminal, tell them you have a Pre-Pass question, and you will be directed to the responsible person (when I was there, that person was named Keith). Pre-Pass equipment is identified to the Tractor, not to a Driver - you cannot take it with you. The likelihood that the tractor's Pre-Pass box was "activated" to the tractor and functional is very great. If it isn't, then the first time the unit does not flash a Green light to bypass the weigh station and beep sweetly, then you'd know to get it fixed or "activated". So, call Swift's Permits Department and talk to Keith.

According to your story you Red Tagged the vehicle, apparently writing down all the things you found wrong with it - which is appropriate, but then you apparently left the terminal without making sure repairs were done promptly and properly. That was a serious mistake and probably the reason you got a termination letter. If you moved out of the tractor taking your personal gear with you to drive back home, this would communicate to management that you had 'quit' your job by abandoning your assigned truck.

Following through with repairs to your vehicle is an assigned Driver's chief responsibility, and is clearly the reason Swift assumed you were "dissatisfied with Job". It's a little late to be trying to contact or discuss your dismissal with your DM or the Terminal Manager.

If you go to another trucking company for a job, this event will show up on your record and if you give them the same explanation you gave on-line, they probably would not want to hire you.

Even if you don't like the Tractor assigned to you, it is never a good idea to "Red Tag" it then simply go home to Window Rock, William. What else did you do between June 6th and the end of June to make sure your assigned tractor was getting repaired and when it would be available for you to drive?

My husband and I team for SWIFT. our first truck was shit! it alswyas broke down but they sold it and we soon after got another one! sometimes its a waiting game but worth it. you have to be persistent! just becaus you have trouble with one terminal....doesnt mean they are all the same! best of luck

Welcome to the wonderful world of the ABQ terminal and Chris Ryan. Nothing is ever as it seems, and if you're not left standing in front of the window being ignored by two chatting DMs, you're listening to Chris Ryan promise support that never happens. I had a similar experience with equipment. My raggedy-ass assigned truck broke down on my first solo trip, then did the same during several trips after that. I also waited and waited for the truck to be ready. I don't know if there are any good Swift Terminals, but, if there are, ABQ is not one of them. You have my sympathy.