Comments By Big T

Bubbles making it home in one piece is mainly on the driver. You are the one that is responsible for inspecting the vehicle and operating it safely. Swift's big thing is "Safe by Choice".

Sunday marked three years with Swift and in that time I have had one disagreement about safety. I "won" the argument and safety backed me up.

As far as May goes I have not met any unhappy May drivers.

This weekend was set perfect. A couple 600 mile trips to keep us running and then we were going to do a reset in Ohio after delivery Sunday.

We got to our first delivery got checked in and went back to the truck to wait for our door assignment. Two hours later I got a call informing me that the appointment was set for the 27th not the 22nd. I have to get with planners and customer service to figure it out, but they don't get in until 0800. That means we are going to be late for our pick up. Nothing we can do about it.

Get up this morning and take our load to our Jonestown terminal. Grabbed an empty and started to head for New York as instructed. I called the shipper to verify what temp they wanted the trailer cooled to and was informed they wouldn't be loading us until Tuesday morning. Back to the terminal we went.

Poor student only needs 70 more hours and we are sitting instead of running. But it gives us a chance to get that reset in and do some laundry. My student only had two hours left on her 70 hour clock.

These things happen sometimes. You will do everything correct and the wheels will still fall off. Do your laundry, catch up on sleep, and relax. Getting upset doesn't fix or change anything.

It is correct that a lot of mentors are not taking students right now. Four days in normal times is common so throw in covid and it becomes normal.

As far as going to a different area you can talk to the DQ people but it is similar at all the terminals. If I don't have a student I start getting contacted by terminals all over to pick one up.

Just be patient and try and enjoy your last few days outside the truck. As someone that doesn't sit well I know that is easier said than done.

I have not heard of that policy. In fact just the opposite. You're not supposed to drop a loaded trailer anywhere except a secure location. Also remember most truckstops have signs saying no dropped trailers.

Oh okay, both of my driver trainers told me I have to bobtail as per company policy. I'll call my home terminal and see what they also. Thanks for your input

I didn't see anything posted before, I got the go ahead from my driver leader/manager to get a mini fridge. My question is how do I get to Walmart if I'm not anywhere near a terminal? My understanding is I have to bobtail there, but I can't uncouple unless at a terminal right? Or can I do it at a truck stop and use my kingpin lock? I definitely need to re-up on non cold food items too.

No need to bobtail, no need to call ahead. If you can safely get in and out pull on in. You have probably noticed how and where trucks park. You do however need to ask if you are wanting to park overnight but for just shopping you're good. I do mention looking before pulling in because some of the parking lots are not good for semis but most are fine.

Ok one question that leaps out is if the company isn't on the verge of bankruptcy or diar financial problems why are they getting ready to lay off drivers?

How long have you been driving for? How many companies have you driven for?

Swift has added an additional productivity bonus on top of the normal quarter bonus we get and they have doubled mentor's weekly bonus during this mess.

Those trying to get into the industry are going to find it more challenging because when times are lean companies tend to get pickier. Now people with records like your brother will have no problem because productive, safe, and professional drivers are a valuable asset. Especially in times where service is crucial.

You would need to go back to the shipper and have them rework the load.

Happy belated birthday Victor.

You need to focus less on the grass in other pastures and start really focusing on just mastering your craft.

Remember companies do not usually report things until you leave them. This may be your first parking lot incident, but its your fifth bump in the road. Its at least your second backing accident.

What could/should you have done differently? How can you prevent future "bumps" in the road?

I dont generally say no. Even when I don't have the hours or I'm heading for home. What I will do is contact my DM and see what the plan is. A lot of times they will have me pick up the load and then get it repowered.

Usually when I get sent a screwed up load my DM hasn't seen it yet. When she does she will decline it.

I had a conversation earlier with one of my students in which he was complaining about not making enough money.

The very next statement was that he turned down a 170 mile run because he isn't a local driver. He then turned down a load to New York because he had heard stories and was scared.

I explained that you can't have it both ways. You can't make money saying no. Everytime he declined a load he got moved to the bottom of the list.

Just a quick thought for the new drivers. This is performance based meaning at some point you have to perform.

When you talk to safety own up to it like you did here. Obviously you understand what your mistakes were. The chance that they will terminate you are not high. Im not saying it isn't a possibility, but attitude is everything.

Most likely you will have to take the close quarters class and then be back at it.

Fight the tickets and charges in court. There is a good chance with a clean record they may reduce it. If you were really leaving the scene you would not have gone back.