[Ridge Runner]

[quote="beeiatch"]Boneebone..... Please go start your own thread..... this is my thread, if you would like to comment on the post title, please feel free.... if not EditNow that thats taken care of.....

WOW! I'm so tired i think i will die in my bed for another 12 hours. Here's the scoop....

I got my mentor 11 days ago. Tuesday...


Are we allowed to use vulgar language now?[/quote]


NO! A small oversight on my part. Problem fixed now. Carry on.

[Kurbski]

Southernpride,

When your on break or trip plannning this might help get you on line.
Free wifi access throughout the U.S.

http://www.wififreespot.com/

[southernpride]

HEY!!!!! I'm back! Well nothing too major to report on the fornt here, it's just been learning a bunch of new stuff every day. My backing is getting a lot better. I'm ok driving like 10-11hrs a day now, without having to stop every 3. My mentor is great! i am truly lucky.
He is sooooo patient yet has no problem puting his foot down in a professional mannor when needed.... He keeps telling me that i'm doing so well, i dont miss gears (or deer.)

Here's a little personal type news.... I have realized that in life you can only TRULY count on yourself (and maybe your spouse) My brother inlaw who came to school with me and was going to be driving team flatbed with me decided that this wasnt for him. Now i understand it's not for everyone, but he's full of you know what.... He got a taste of hard work and ran. ANYWAY..... i decided not to go flat bed after all. So i'll stick with this mentor for the whole 6 weeks.... anyway basically he has toally lied about it and been really 2-faced about the whole thing.... so all i can do is do my own thing. (ps. he has 3 kids and no incom right before Christmas but he's not even MAN enough to tough it out to put food on the table and give his kids a Christmas. Well... I'm not bailing him out AGAIN!)

Other than than, things are going REALLY well. We are in Iowa right now at the Iowa-80 largest truckstop in the world. On our way to WI then PA then...... GEORGIA!!!! HOME for a MUCH needed 34hr. 3 1/2 weeks since i saw my wife or my kids. Man i cant wait to get home. I'll check in again soon. Laterz.

MODS- Sorry about the vulgar language in my last post.... but he deserved it.

[dennis in se pa]

good for you southernpride.
Someday maybe some of us newbies from this board will run into one another "Out There"
Now THAT would be cool.

[mbadriver]

These diaries all start the same. Anyone want to bet on how it ends?

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

good for you southernpride.
Someday maybe some of us newbies from this board will run into one another "Out There"
Now THAT would be cool.

[dennis in se pa]

re: Anyone want to bet on how it ends?

Being the positive person that I am I would say it ends with a person enjoying his profession.
You have seen it written many times. Attitude is a big part of what you are. I have seen this my whole life. For some people it is just natural to put their heads down and push for a good outcome. For others it is just as natural to sit and complain. GOD gives every bird its food. HE does not put it in the nest. You have to GET OUT THERE and get it. I have been in the military, food service, construction, manufacturing, computer and sales fields SO FAR. People who work hard and have good attitudes succeed. Those who don't wonder why their lives are so miserable.
It is up to you.
You have a choice.

[garyavp]

I just came through CR England orientation and in their school that something like 100 in a class. I heard the put 6 in the truck and the best you get before you actually take the road test is like 3 to 4 hours. I came through Roadmaster and you had to have 9 hours driving before you could test.

[mbadriver]

So u wanna bet?

If Jesus had worked for Swift we wouldn't have the Golden Rule.

Trucking is a tough business with a good compnay. With a bad one, all you can do is X the days off the calendar.

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

re: Anyone want to bet on how it ends?

Being the positive person that I am I would say it ends with a person enjoying his profession.
You have seen it written many times. Attitude is a big part of what you are. I have seen this my whole life. For some people it is just natural to put their heads down and push for a good outcome. For others it is just as natural to sit and complain. GOD gives every bird its food. HE does not put it in the nest. You have to GET OUT THERE and get it. I have been in the military, food service, construction, manufacturing, computer and sales fields SO FAR. People who work hard and have good attitudes succeed. Those who don't wonder why their lives are so miserable.
It is up to you.
You have a choice.

[dennis in se pa]

mbadriver,
I will tell you this. If I don't like it I will go do something else. I will not complain about it. I will move on.
respects,
Dennis in se pa

[softnrough]

Keep up the good attitude, you'll need it when you go solo. I personally went through a private school and decided to go to swift since they had a terminal close to my home.
The training period was a breeze! 99% drop&hook, good directions, new truck, no east coast, awesome DM, GREAT miles.

REALITY Check!

I've been solo for 6 weeks now. I average 2000 miles per week. That = $250.00. Horrible directions. (highly recommend a GPS system) that'll save you hours a trip. DM's that won't respond to your messages. Most loads /i get are live load/unload that have you sit for insane amount of hours. Don't forget the scale, toll roads and lumper fees. This comes out of your pocket until you get reimbursed minus the atm fees and advance fees that are not. So you can kiss $6.00 each time away as a "gift" to the company.

Let's also add sitting on the weekend cause the majority of the loads you get at are less than 600 miles.

My truck has been in the shop 4 times already.

Hope and pray they don't send you to the east coast your first week and leave you there!


Now, on the flip... I've spoken to a few new drivers that haven't experienced what I've been through and are happy. I suppose it all depends on the terminal you're at and DM. ( all terminals are run differently)

Now, I still have the same enthusiasm and drive for this industry, just not with Swift