Encore career (My time with Swift)

[dobry4u]

So all in all, Do you think in your honest opinion you are getting as much mentoring as you need or is it lacking in some places? And do you think you made the right decision as far as the company you went with?

Good questions, Jumbo.

Honestly, I think I am getting the training I need for the most part. What I feel lacking on, I am not afraid to ask and my mentor/trainer is willing to help. I am struggling a bit with night driving and we have been working on things to help with that.

As far as the decision and company, I have gotten my CDL classes, CDL license, and training paid for with a near two year commitment to work so at this point I think I made the right choice. I may be saying something totally different when I am driving solo.

[dobry4u]

I have about 10 more days with my trainer/mentor left. I am pretty satisfied with the training I have been receiving. I did get off I 94 and I 90 for a minute and took a run down I 81 and I 84 through the mountains in Pennsylvanian. The trees are just starting to turn and the visuals were fantastic.

I am starting with a low dose of OMGosh...... um... solo... excited and a tad intimated sitting on my shoulders :eek:

[Syncrosonix]

the first load i got was nerve shattering. i must've done a pre-trip 193949493923944339459 times before finally doing the loaded call, and departing from the drop yard in north las vegas. all that pre-tripping, i still missed the fact that the tandems were over the bridge law for california. i got popped at the southbound i-15 scale through cajon pass. i ended up having to pay $148.00 for it. what a lovely way to get out the gate! haven't had any tickets of that type since then. the only other ticket i received was a parking ticket in fresno, california. some priss diva-man moved into the neighborhood my dad lives in and reports all commercial vehicles for being parked within the area. it used to be that truckers could bring the bobtails home.

the first load is something i'd compare to when i got laid for the first time. the feeling of anxiety and fright are similar. afterward, i was going, "that was it?" still, for the first 2 weeks, i had some level of anxiety.

[dobry4u]

the first load i got was nerve shattering. i must've done a pre-trip 193949493923944339459 times before finally doing the loaded call, and departing from the drop yard in north las vegas. all that pre-tripping, i still missed the fact that the tandems were over the bridge law for california. i got popped at the southbound i-15 scale through cajon pass. i ended up having to pay $148.00 for it. what a lovely way to get out the gate! haven't had any tickets of that type since then. the only other ticket i received was a parking ticket in fresno, california. some priss diva-man moved into the neighborhood my dad lives in and reports all commercial vehicles for being parked within the area. it used to be that truckers could bring the bobtails home.

the first load is something i'd compare to when i got laid for the first time. the feeling of anxiety and fright are similar. afterward, i was going, "that was it?" still, for the first 2 weeks, i had some level of anxiety.

Thanks for sharing that.. I have missed your posts on the forum and glad you are back, Syncrosonix. I'll certainly let you know how it goes and hopefully I won't be still looking for the place a week later! :eek:

[Kevin0915]

Well that pretty much covers exactly what to expect. I attended a swift school in Lewiston, Idaho. The only thing i wish we would have done, was got some shifting time on the range before going on the road. Our first day on the road, we spent with 4 guys in the truck, and we did what they called "The Lewiston 500". All we did was go in circles. Each 'lap' was about a mile. But we were able to shift clear up to 5th and 6th. Practiced turns in real life, etc.

As far as the workwell program, it is a contracted company that Swift takes the students too. And i am willing to bet, that the OSHA regulations will say 'back support required if activity is longer than "X" hours.'

As far as the tuition goes, that is spot on. We lost one guy in the 2nd day of road week cause he continued to act in an unsafe manner. Guy was nice as hell, but he took (seriously) a full second or two, to THINK about what he was going to do, before doing it. Another we lost a day after going on the range, because she coudlnt back a truck up 2 feet without getting out of her lane.

If you are dismissed, the amount you owe is pro-rated back, so if you get booted out after 2 weeks, you pay for 2 weeks, not the full 3. And they give you 3 days or so at the start of school to back out or not. If you do, you end up paying for your ride back home.

And on the last day or two of the school, they assigned you a home terminal. HOWEVER, if you lived in Iowa, and you wanted to be based out of Texas, you had to show a Texas address before they would list you for that terminal, and show an address before being transfered.

As far as the mentor thing goes, mine was kind of a headache. I got my driver code late thursday afternoon. Friday morning i came in, asked the dispatcher at the window to see where the truck was, and he said the driver was 30 minutes away. 2 hours later, i asked where he was, and he told me the driver had a preplan, then 2 hours later found out he went to pick up the load. My DM called him, and then found out he was a smoker. I requested a non smoking one, and refused to go with this one. I went back to the hotel, and by the time i got back, my DM called the room and left a message saying "I got a new mentor, he will be here tomorrow morning..." gave me his truck number and name..etc. So i show up Saturday morning....via taxi that they paid for. Then find out the guy was still in Texas (this is when hurricane Ike was blowing thru). So back to the hotel, and i called my DM saying "i'll be coming back to the terminal on monday. If you find a mentor, before then, he can swing by the hotel to pick me up." (wasnt really happy doing all the running around, and being told information like it was 'confirmed' information, when it wasnt. So anyways, I show up monday, got a mentor. On the way to the truck he tells me "sorry it is a bit messy, havent had time to really clean it." I knew i was in trouble when i saw the windshield. Looked like it had not been cleaned in WEEKS. Not to mention the inside of the truck, he had a 5 year old rusty can he used as a spit cup......he chewed.....and a t-shirt he threw on the floor as his snot-rag. I was on his truck for 14 days, and out of those 14, i actually was under load for 8. He spent 6 days at home, and couldnt go 3-4 days without stopping by his house. I spent 4 nights in his truck because he was too lazy to drive 20 miles out of his way to find a hotel for me. He offered to drive me 3 hours back home, but he expected me to drive my car back to his place and leave it there. Not to mention, i did 70% of the driving, and only had two 'backs' listed on my training paperwork for those 2 weeks. Also, most of the things we checked off on week one, he just mentioned in passing, and called that 'training' and marked it off as such. I even secretly snapped a picture of him driving up I-35 in Oklahoma, on his cell texting, AND with the QualComm on the steering wheel. I had to almost BEG for a shower late wednesday night (as my last shower was 5a monday morning) the first week i was there. Then friday night the next week, we were at my home terminal because he was t-calling a load there, and we agreed i could stay at the terminal while he went home because the next load we had was going to CA, and he was going thru the area anyways. When it sounded like i wasnt going to get to stay, i finally piped up (and this was infront of the night dispatcher on duty) and said "look, i NEED to shower and i NEED to do laundry and i NEED to jump on the internet" (internet was my only way to stay in contact with friends and family, as i have one of those 'to go' cell phones i have to buy minutes for). THEN, the straw that broke the camels back, was he had that load to CA taken off him...then he had the nerve to blame ME for losing a $1500 load (he was an O/O). He whined aobut it for about 5-10 minutes like he expe ed me to hand him a few hundred bucks to cover it. Then he got annoyed at me for taking 4 quarters out of a cup holder during our last stop before the weekend, to go with my last $4 in my pocket to get some McDonalds. I was still short 35 cents, and he covered it. he was annoyed because i didnt give him a 'thank you'. What was i to 'thank him' for? poor training? having to beg for showers? not getting the backing time i was to have? The guy was a joke, yet there are some on here that think i am a snot nosed kid because somehow they think i expect to be catered to while on a mentor's truck....i dont. i do expect to get proper training, and as a student, if you arent getting it.....ask for a new one.

that monday morning, i walked up to my DM and asked 'how fast can i get a new mentor"...she said "15 minutes".....i said "lets do it". She asked why, and i told her "just not getting trained". I also told her that the weekend i spent 4 nights in his truck at a wal-mart distribution center, he sent in for $205 company advance for a "hotel 4 student". It was approved 2 minutes later, and..huh....i never saw the inside of a hotel room that weekend. So i'm hoping the guy got fired for defrauding the company.

My new mentor, i've been with for 3 weeks, and we are entering my last week of training. And the thing is, the mentor told me, was he had a student 2 before me, and she was in my orientation class !!!! He kicked her off the truck cause she couldnt shift, and kept wanting to move the truck with the brakes still on. She couldnt control the truck. same with the next guy. I said "boy i sure wish i would have got you from 'day 1'" My new mentor is an O/O and drives a 2007 T2000 K.W. I had my mandatory 28 backs by the end of the 2nd week of being on his truck. He trained the way mentors are to train.

As i tell fellow classmates i stay in contact with from the school in idaho....if you have any hesitation with your current mentor, ask for a new one. 9 times out of 10 you'll get one.

[dobry4u]

Thanks for adding that information and good to offer those wanting to know how the process goes.

We too had that same shifting time, but to be naively honest, I think each truck and each transmission has its own nuances and you have to learn "her" purring points.

I think Swift Driving Academy's basic goal is to teach you how to pass the tests. Where you learn skills is when you are with your mentor/trainer and then through life on the road.

That is why I find CAD so valuable. Helps with the learning curve A LOT!!!!


Thanks again for your input

~ Kelly

[Kevin0915]

Thanks for adding that information and good to offer those wanting to know how the process goes.

We too had that same shifting time, but to be naively honest, I think each truck and each transmission has its own nuances and you have to learn "her" purring points.

I think Swift Driving Academy's basic goal is to teach you how to pass the tests. Where you learn skills is when you are with your mentor/trainer and then through life on the road.

That is why I find CAD so valuable. Helps with the learning curve A LOT!!!!


Thanks again for your input

~ Kelly

you hit the nail on the head about each engine/tranny being different. My road intructor even said, "you know, they taught you just enough of the CDL manual to get you to pass the state test, why should 'road week' be any different?"

We spent every day driving the state course. We sometimes would go out in the country over twisting and rolling hills and turns. But we knew what the state road test was going to be. Cause had we not known, i mean we've only been driving a truck for what. 4-5 days?? Cant really expect a newbie to drive it without screwing up when you throw them a curve during the test. =)

We had a thing going, where if anybody scored a perfect zero on the state road test, the instructor they had, had to treat them to a steak dinner. I ended up speeding a little, and forgot to use a turn signal. i scored 5 points on my state test....i wanted that steak dinner !!!!!

[Kevin0915]

oh, and the thing i liked about Swift, was i applied, and got a phone call within 5-10 minutes. my recruiter knew his stuff, and didnt promice me anything. I got lucky and got a good recruiter.

As far as the school goes....the thing i liked was they didnt do a credit check (mine sucks), and as long as you get hired, and drive for 13, you dont owe them anything more. However, if you choose to leave after a year, that really dont look all that great on your resume. It will make your new employer cautious, thinking 'boy s/he might leave US in a year". I want to atleast put 2 years in, and get my $$$ back for my schooling. How can that be hard....not only do you get great experience over those 2 years, you now went to driving school for FREE.

[Syncrosonix]

oh, and the thing i liked about Swift, was i applied, and got a phone call within 5-10 minutes. my recruiter knew his stuff, and didnt promice me anything. I got lucky and got a good recruiter.

As far as the school goes....the thing i liked was they didnt do a credit check (mine sucks), and as long as you get hired, and drive for 13, you dont owe them anything more. However, if you choose to leave after a year, that really dont look all that great on your resume. It will make your new employer cautious, thinking 'boy s/he might leave US in a year". I want to atleast put 2 years in, and get my $$$ back for my schooling. How can that be hard....not only do you get great experience over those 2 years, you now went to driving school for FREE.

yup, and come 1/31/09, my 2 years with this company will arrive, and i shall get my $3900 back. kickass incentive for staying with the company that was willing to take an at the time 23 1/2 year-16-year-old looking lanky dude who NOTHING about semi trucks, and had never even been inside of one. i still look as if i'm 16, though.

my mentor was an o/o and did a kickass job. before getting on his truck, he told me that i was his main focus. also that all the other trucker bull**** tales and company rumors were of no concern to him. he had me using the qualcomm from the minute i got on to his truck, all of the backing unless it was some super tight, crazy place, and we traded on the fueling process. if i was driving, he'd have me do it all while watching over me. there were quirks about him that annoyed me after 4 weeks. however, they weren't severe enough for me to mention them. i knew i was fortunate to have him, and i stuck it out. to this day, whenever somebody comes up to me with, "have you heard what swift is doing now?!" i say, "no, not a clue, and don't give a damn unless there's undeniable evidence of it."

i checked his record in training after i got off his truck, and released solo. 8 out of 10 of his trainees make it through their first year. 6 out of those 8 make it to their second year. when i got off his truck, i felt as if i was light years ahead of my classmates. many of them were struggling with the written multiple choice test before doing the solo release drive test. out of my class, i am the only one still with swift. the rest have either been fired, quit/washed out, or went to some other company.

[Kevin0915]

whenever somebody comes up to me with, "have you heard what swift is doing now?!" i say, "no, not a clue, and don't give a damn unless there's undeniable evidence of it."

Even one better, unless you have the proof, AND it has ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME.....i really don't care. There is only ONE driver i care about, and you know who that is. It is some sweetheart in Dallas....her name...nah...just kidding......ITS ME FOOL !!! ;-)

I could care less about what others think about me, or the company i drive for. I dont care if people look at me and snicker because i get out of my truck and look when i back up into a spot at a truck stop. I dont care if i am blocking another drivers way past as i back into my spot. I am not going to rush myself just because someone else is impatient.

Saw your typical "super trucker" the other day tailgating an SUV....wasnt more than 2 feet from their bumper. I was hoping the SUV would have to tap the brakes just enough, and end up seeing that guy wreck. Dont drive while STOOOPID. Not worth a lawsuit because you are impatient because you could have left 10-15 min. earlier.

[dobry4u]

yup, and come 1/31/09, my 2 years with this company will arrive, and i shall get my $3900 back. kickass incentive for staying with the company that was willing to take an at the time 23 1/2 year-16-year-old looking lanky dude who NOTHING about semi trucks, and had never even been inside of one. i still look as if i'm 16, though.

my mentor was an o/o and did a kickass job. before getting on his truck, he told me that i was his main focus. also that all the other trucker bull**** tales and company rumors were of no concern to him. he had me using the qualcomm from the minute i got on to his truck, all of the backing unless it was some super tight, crazy place, and we traded on the fueling process. if i was driving, he'd have me do it all while watching over me. there were quirks about him that annoyed me after 4 weeks. however, they weren't severe enough for me to mention them. i knew i was fortunate to have him, and i stuck it out. to this day, whenever somebody comes up to me with, "have you heard what swift is doing now?!" i say, "no, not a clue, and don't give a damn unless there's undeniable evidence of it."

i checked his record in training after i got off his truck, and released solo. 8 out of 10 of his trainees make it through their first year. 6 out of those 8 make it to their second year. when i got off his truck, i felt as if i was light years ahead of my classmates. many of them were struggling with the written multiple choice test before doing the solo release drive test. out of my class, i am the only one still with swift. the rest have either been fired, quit/washed out, or went to some other company.

I have had a decent mentor/trainer too, Syncrosonix. I think a lot of it has to do with your willingness to learn and listen.

[Syncrosonix]

I have had a decent mentor/trainer too, Syncrosonix. I think a lot of it has to do with your willingness to learn and listen.

i've seen a fair share of people with the willingness. the things they were lacking were common sense and some form of intelligent life upstairs.

[dobry4u]

This is my last week of training with a mentor/trainer. I have had many opportunities to back up in various situations and times of the day, driven mostly at night and have experienced rain and rather windy conditions. I have driven in high traffic areas as well as had experience with many border crossings.

I have pretty much been on the same routes throughout the training period so I don't believe to be well "versed" in day to day destination changes. Hopefully I'll catch on with that.


Yet to face:

Solo runs.... and, oh I hate to say it..... snow!


I am a bit concerned with all of the drivers sitting around at the terminals with no loads. Maybe because I am "cheap" at this point, I'll be kept moving.

I would like to thank all of you that have encouraged, advised, and suggested to which I will most likely continue to seek...

Much obliged

~Kelly

[Syncrosonix]

This is my last week of training with a mentor/trainer. I have had many opportunities to back up in various situations and times of the day, driven mostly at night and have experienced rain and rather windy conditions. I have driven in high traffic areas as well as had experience with many border crossings.

I have pretty much been on the same routes throughout the training period so I don't believe to be well "versed" in day to day destination changes. Hopefully I'll catch on with that.


Yet to face:

Solo runs.... and, oh I hate to say it..... snow!


I am a bit concerned with all of the drivers sitting around at the terminals with no loads. Maybe because I am "cheap" at this point, I'll be kept moving.

I would like to thank all of you that have encouraged, advised, and suggested to which I will most likely continue to seek...

Much obliged

~Kelly

a LOT of those people are sitting for a reason: they're declining loads. others are sitting because their pta is set way out or they're trying to get a load going home, or near it, or their truck is in the shop. when you get to the wonderful fontana terminal, check out the concrete table there. no need to talk to the people sitting there. only a minute of eavesdropping will be enough time to figure out why they're sitting and for how long. by the way, it's suggested that you don't bother going by that terminal unless you really have to. mira loma is much better. the showers there also put some of the terminals' showers to shame, too.

if you're ever in phoenix and want to park across the street in the dirt field. i highly suggest you don't because it'll cost you big time. the paring ticket is $2,000.00. swift will not cover it either. saw a couple of o/o's for swift being written one, a may driver, and one cfi.

as for snow, you'll get a ****load of people telling you to speed up. don't listen to those jackasses. go at your pace. if a cop is telling you to speed up....then you may wanna do as he or she says. though that's never happened to me, and i have never heard of any instances where one has told a driver to speed up. if it becomes to scary to continue, find a safe place to get off the road, tell your dm, and go from there. if the load will end up being late, send a macro 22 with the reason. it's better that you and the freight get there in one piece rather than you becoming unemployed and the crap all over the place.

[boneebone]

Bottom line is it's your CDL, your driving record, your lively hood, drive to protect it.

[Ridge Runner]

As far as the number of drivers at the terminal...... I had a term for them " terminal rats". It was always the same ones. Always there bitching. I heard one complaining about them ( company ) wanting him to take a 90 mile load to Atlanta. The thing is, once in Atlanta there are MANY loads going all over. Many of these guys strike me as being the same as the "Truck Stop Cowboys". You know the type, would rather hang out in the TS and BS than get out there and earn a living.