I'm really not one to complain. I am a female in the trucking industry and it is hard enough as it is. Swift transportation is ruining my life. I cannot pay my bills, I cannot get a better trucking job. I cannot get hired anywhere. I have applied to over 20 companies and all of them have turned me down. Swift was not all bad at first but then something changed...
In January I was involved in a freak snow squall in West Virginia where I was slowing down to avoid a hazard about 4 football field lengths in front of me a car was spinning out of control on the roadway. As I was slowing a car plowed into the back of me and then an Aramark truck slammed into the car that hit me from behind killing the driver of the car. I was rear ended TWICE! Once by the car. And then the car again was pushed into the back of my trailer by the Aramark truck. Or either the aramark truck hit me. Im not sure... Well anyway. I was not fined, cited, ticketed or warned. I gave my statement and was released by the highway patrol officer. Since I was not at fault I was let go. Well when I got to Memphis to get coached so to speak by they completely put words in my mouth saying I could have done this or I could have done that. The simple fact is is that I followed every procedure they trained me to do to the T. I was not speeding. I was not breaking any laws. The snow had just started and there were about 5 other accidents that occured at that same moment or like in a 30 minute time period. I did not hit anything. I slowed my truck and trailer down properly. I have a witness cause my roommate was in the truck with me at the time.
The very first time I ever got into an 18 wheeler was April.. I have wanted to be a truck driver ever since I was 9 years old. I love trucks and no men in my family are or were ever truck drivers. I was very proud of myself because learning to drive a truck was one the hardest things I have ever taught myself in my life and I actually succeeded...
So then on top of the accident I lasted about 5 more months and then was let go because of too many service failures. Notice the term "LET GO" I did not quit. I tried to collect unemployment but to no avail. Could not get it. So i appealed but then just finally gave up on it because I did get a job with Schneider. (which by the way is a great company) no regrets there. Thank God.
But I decided to leave Schneider for a break, which brings me to now!!! I want to get back into trucking but can't because of a fatality within Swift. It is nowhere on my DAC. I was not at fault. But when a company calls Swift about me they tell the company That I have a preventable accident involving a fatality. There is no way you can prevent someone from not hitting you from behind. Swift is covering themselves and pinning it on me... Now I say is that right? Is that fair? I know that the trucking industry is tough believe me. I have learned a lot in two years. That is for sure... But I have never in my life heard of the driver who was rear ended being at fault... Either in a four wheeler or any commercial vehicle, when you hit someone from behind it is that person's fault. The person doing the hitting... Arghhhhhhhh... Man you could not even drive on that snow that day going 5 miles per hour without sliding and I did not even jackknife at all except after I got hit I was slightly in the left lane. I know because I never drive in the left lane. I want those others to go on and pass me... Go driver go... At any rate. I dont know what to do. I want Swift to change this so I can make money again. I know I am a small fish in a big pond. Is there anything the driver can do??? They get away with everything...
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