Must start another GOOD SWIFT thread...

[Lugnut1968]

Depends on the trainer honestly. Some of them will be in the sleeper in less than five minutes. A few actually do their jobs and train you the correct way and will not really run as a team until they are comfortable that you can handle it. Supposedly there is a revamping underway at Swift when it comes to the mentor program now to ensure things are being done correctly. No guarantees on your mentor actually being an OTR driver because a high number of mentors are actually on dedicated accounts. Good luck and welcome to all of it

[Snowman&Fred]

Originally Posted by MrZero

Thanks to everyone who contributed, but mostly to Polk for the training play-by-play. I am also looking to start training with Swift in the next few weeks. I'm changing careers also with this move. The question I had is my recruiter has me set to train in Phoenix. I asked if I could train in San Antonio because I plan to relocate to Texas soon. She said only if I get an address closer to Texas. Does anyone know if I train in Phoenix am I stuck with it as a home terminal or can I choose another terminal at hiring? BTW this is a great forum!

I got an email back from my recruiter yesterday, and he said that it depends on where you live, certian states are assigned to go to certian centers. (unless like they said you change addresses) but when you return from training, i was told i would be home for a couple days, then bussed to wherever my 'home terminal' would be. For me, it will be either the one in Minnestoa, KC or Gary, IN. The possibilities will be in that order, i would guess if based on distance.

My recruiter also told me once i head to orientation, then right out of orientation, i would get into a truck with a trainer. Now I have heard some have sat for DAYS, without getting in with a trainer. So I am not expecting anything, that is still a month away.

[desert_son]

Originally Posted by Snowman&Fred

I got an email back from my recruiter yesterday, and he said that it depends on where you live, certian states are assigned to go to certian centers. (unless like they said you change addresses) but when you return from training, i was told i would be home for a couple days, then bussed to wherever my 'home terminal' would be. For me, it will be either the one in Minnestoa, KC or Gary, IN. The possibilities will be in that order, i would guess if based on distance.

My recruiter also told me once i head to orientation, then right out of orientation, i would get into a truck with a trainer. Now I have heard some have sat for DAYS, without getting in with a trainer. So I am not expecting anything, that is still a month away.

It all depends on the availability of trainers. When I trained for Swift I had a couple of newbies who got on my truck the day after orientation, I had some who waited a week I also had one who waited a month but that was his choice. Management at Swift does not like having newbies waiting to long if so driver services has to explain any delays.

[northstarfire0693]

Hard to start a GOOD SWIFT thread when there is nothing good on this outfit.

[polk salit]

Hi everyone!
Well I'm two weeks out on the road with my mentor and I love it! I've been to Or, WA,Id,NV,AZ,Mt,Co,Ks,OK,and TX. School is truly only a small part of what the real world is like! Tight parking at the shippers and finding a spot at night at the truck stops can be a challenge but all and all I love it! I think I really lucked out, my mentor is a great guy and has taught me allot about the business and driving. I talk to my family everyday, and I think the bond between my wife and I is even stronger! absence makes the hart grow fonder as they say! Were waiting for a load out of Dallas TX. right now, and back to Ca. next week for some home time! So until then Polk Salit out!!

[cat 500]

Glad to hear from you and to hear that things are going well. Be safe out there and check back in. Enjoy hearing from you and glad the family is doing well.

[polk salit]

Originally Posted by HDkindaguy

Polk,

What a great read! I enjoyed following your experience. Well done! Wondering what it's like out there on the road w/ a mentor.

I am planning on relocating to SAC from Atlanta. I will have my CDL already. Do you think I'll be able to get a job at Swift? And was just wondering if you went to the TDA school, what other companies came by (if any) to recruit from the SAC area.

Blessings to you my man!

How's it going HD!
My mentor is great! We get along real well and I have learned allot with him. Yes I did go to TDA in Sacramento.They train directly for SWIFT. I found it to be a good school. They gave me plenty of practice time in the yard and prepare you for the DMV test quite well! My hats off to Arni, Ted, Paul, and Pete, they did a great job, Thanks you guys! There trucks are a little beat up, but it sure made driving my mentors truck a big surprise! He has a 2007 Kenworth T-2000. Other than it's large turning radius, it's great to drive! I'm not sure, but my mentor seed SWIFT will hire you with just a CDL as they are a training company. I thought you had to have 160 hrs of training as well before they would send you out with a mentor, but I'm not sure. One thing I found to be a great help on the road is a Garmin GPS! Maps are good, but having that turn by turn navigation as well as mileage really helps get you there easier and helps keep you're log book more accurate! It also helps with finding food or calculating were to make you're driver changes so you can use you're miles and hours more efficiently! Well lots of luck to you and I hope all goes well! Polk Salit out!

[HDkindaguy]

Polk,

Wow. Excellent update! So glad to hear some POSITIVE people exist on the planet! You are an inspiration indeed.

Thanks for the heads up on Swift. Yeah, I'll have my minimum hours in before I get to CA. so hopefully a job won't be SO hard to comeby. I'm spoiled here in Atlanta. Every trucking company in the country has a terminal here so the pickins' are pretty good.

Also I appreciate the info on GPS and things like that. If you get a chance, I was wondering how you adapted to sleep in the truck and any other experiences you might want to share with newbies.

Glad you are doing well! I bet you are looking forward to some much deserved time with the family, and thanks for keeping us updated!

[polk salit]

What's up HD!
Yes, I have found positive people get positive results! As far as sleep goes, that's one of the biggest changes we have to make. It's surprising how fast you're body can adapt though! Sleeping when the road is bumpy or when the jake brake keeps coming on can be a challenge, but you get used to sleeping in smaller increments pretty quick. Make sure you get naps when you can and you'll be fine! However, I really appreciate a non moving bed now!!! We have a pre-plan coming in on the qual com now, so I have to go! Until next time Polk Salit out!

[Redcoat wife]

Polk's posts have been very insightful and much appreciated. My husband goes to orientation next week. Does anybody know how it works as far as your home terminal is concerned? My job takes me all over the country so I live in an RV full-time. Every couple months I'm in a different part of the country, so when folks ask me where I'm from, I'm really not *from* anywhere. My mailing address is in Mississippi, the plates on my rig and truck are from Delaware, but I don't LIVE in either place. Does anybody see any possible issues if a driver wants to change his home terminal every few months or so?