Chronicles of a Swift trainee

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by Marky84, Nov 10, 2012.

  1. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Thanks. I'm going to have to check with my recruiter about this omni-idle. I'm just worried about being able to use my cpap machine in the truck whenever I have to sleep. That could be an issue.

    What is omni-idle?
     
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  3. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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    from my understanding the truck idles till the temperature reaches a certain limit. whether u can set this limit urself, i dunno
     
  4. boxxxtrucker

    boxxxtrucker Light Load Member

    Since when? I've seen swift drivers who look like they crawled out of a dumpster on skid row. And as far as I'm concerned comfort is the first priority when you're OTR. I ONLY wore my nike sweatpants and t-shirts and it was never a problem. Any corporate goon who wants to sit there and tell me there's a dress code should take his sorry ### behind the wheel for 10 plus hours in a fitted pair of slacks and a twill button down.

    I love newbies. They believe all that crap in the company bible really is gospel. tee hee. Good luck though Driver, Swift is probably the least of all the trainer company evils...
     
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  5. AndyUSA

    AndyUSA Bobtail Member

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    lmaoo
    classic
     
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  6. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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  7. str8rida

    str8rida Light Load Member

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    Doc - I also use a cpap machine. There are a few more hoops to jump through with sleep apnea, mainly a MWT daytime awake/alert test. Once you go solo and need a cpap the Swift shop will install a inverter in your truck for you. I asked Laura the recruiter for the Lewiston ID terminal, she told me that I'd need to just get a 12v adapter for my cpap machine. On my machine that means I have to go without the humidifier but you couldn't really have it filled with water when the truck is in motion anyways. It'd get water inside the machine and ruin it. Make sure you double check everything with her before you head over there. My one hold up is the MWT test, the over night sleep study test is not the only thing they need. I have to wait to go back until i get that test done, have to save up with no insurance to help pay for it.

    Aslo the opti idle in my truck when I drove for swift before was basicaly a thermostat, like in a house, in your sleeper. You go through a few steps to get it working, setting cruise control etc while the truck idles. Once set at your desired temp, the truck will automatically start up to either get the heat or the AC working to get to the right temp, then shut off. The truck starts and turns off like the central heat and ac in a house. Woke me up wondering what the ____ was going on the first several times it happened. It didn't take long to where I would hardly even notice it after awhile.
    Good luck guys and keep up the thread, good info
     
  8. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the info. My recruiter in TX wasn't sure about the CPAP requirements. I hope I find out soon because I recently went to my personal doctor, paid cash as I do not have insurance, and have another appointment set for 12/6 so he can see how many apneas I'm having overnight. This stuff is starting to irritate the hell out of me. I gotta find out whether or not I need to go back to my doc or what. I just got another printout off the memory card today and my average AHI reading (has something to do with how well it's all working) was only a 1.9. Anything below 5.0 is good. If Swift wants to put me in a room to see if I fall asleep then go ahead. I just want to get started with the training already. I've done so much so far and not sure what else I can possibly do to accomodate everything. I was just going to have my doctor sign off on my in my next appointment on 12/6 if he saw that everything was fine. Now I don't know. This cpap stuff is nuts.


     
  9. teflondave

    teflondave Light Load Member

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    I agree with and totally understand comfort while driving...but when i deal with shippers/rcvrs i believe in looking like i'm a professional...clean and pressed jeans, polo type shirt and proper shoes or boots...i'm not necessarily trying to represent my company but i'm representing my self...customers always seemed to appreciate that...leaves a great impression...some drivers that i've seen over the years sometime make me believe there should be some type of dress code...that just my opinion..........
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2012
  10. str8rida

    str8rida Light Load Member

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    I saw it says Tacoma so I figured you were dealing with the Lewiston terminal. I went and had my card read today as well, my AHI is at 7. Your 1.9 is good. Swift more than likely will want to have access to your sleep study results and card reading info. But what they need is the MWT, meaningful awake test. It is done through your dr, I believe at the some place you'd get your overnight sleep study done. I am waiting to find out for sure, since I am now a cash customer too, but I have heard the daytime awake test can run around $1,000.00. Maybe with your low AHI you may not need the MWT or they might not ask for it. Good luck.
     
  11. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Thanks Str8. I'm hoping I don't need that test because I just can't afford it. When I had my sleep study done, my only one to date, it was 5 years ago. At a pressure of 10.0 my AHI was about the same as it is now. Apparently my auto machine is set at 10.0 as well so I'm on target. I hope they see it that way too. Keeping my fingers crossed and waiting to hear back from the recruiter. Yes, I would be going to the Lewiston terminal.

     
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