You're very welcome, Macho.

I was afraid of big trucks when I was younger, even though I had people telling me truck driving was a career I was well suited to. Eventually, I came to realize that's why they have truck driving schools- to teach us how to handle that big rig. I had a few problems with learning how to back, but I figured it out. I'm very glad now that I chose to do this, because I love trucking.

I had worked for a few other companies before Swift. I trained with Transport America when I was fresh out of school, then worked for a couple local companies driving tanker. I hated it. I wanted to go OTR, but I had job hopped so much (those three companies gave me a total of seven months experience- not much) that no "good" company wanted me. So I started throwing out applications to every company except Werner and US Express ( I don't want to drive an automatic nor do I want to do electronic logging) Swift was the first one to call. So here I am, and quite happy with them. They gave me a chance when others wouldn't, they've stuck by me in spite of a few stupid mistakes, and I'm actually doing well with them. Even now, I'm averaging 2000 miles/week.

Yes, a lot of drivers leave Swift looking for greener pastures, but many of us "Swiftys" are very happy right where we're at. Time will tell if you made the right choice or not, but don't let your opinion be tainted by some disgruntled drivers complaining about Swift. Make up your own mind.

I am fed up with drivers who have never even worked for Swift cutting the company down because of what they've heard. More of us Swiftys that like our jobs need to speak up and balance it out.

Go make that dream come true, Macho. Trucking is hard work, but it's also a paid vacation and it's the best office view available.

__________________
Cowboy up!

Thank you and hopefully will meet someday and Dinner or Bfast is on me. Hope to see you on the road.

I'll hold you to that!

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Cowboy up!

I'll find out what your cb handle is when the time comes and try to find you and I will keep my word on Dinner or Bfast.

An EXCELLENT MUST READ!!
See below ----

Thar ya go!

I had the opposite --- in that the folks I knew told me
Big truck truckin' ain't the style for me.

Sure FELT like it though.
I've always liked Big trucks, and, growin' up around real trucker cowboys, their stories excited me, while it seems, frightened others away.
They all were wrong.
Go figure.

But now they're wearin' suits and ties, confined to a cubical with no windows, answerin'
"YeS SiR"
and
"No SiR" ---- if that's allowed.

OH!
And should they happen to let their eye's gaze fall upon a co-worker.......
.......Can we say FOOD FIGHT?

No pressure there.
Right?
I am VERY pleased to hear that, 1nOnly.

BINGO!
Exactly right.

If they're serious, consider the source. Hmmmmmmmm
But then again, if you let the cat outta the bag,
you might be called a baadd man.
Let the others figure it out for themselves.

It was/is for me!

And the "work" spoken of isn't necessarily physical "work".
NopE.
Quite often it's mental "work".
Know where y'all excell ---
And where y'all's limitations are.
Think smart.
Figure out the best and safest way to balance it all,
and,
by - golly.
It just COULD turn out to be fun.
It did for me, too.
Think smart.

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Pontificating Dogmatist

Aftershock or Shacky you don't miss a thing and someday I would like to meet you also. You are like a honey bee from a place to another. Keep up the good work and keep us updated on everything thats going on.

macho52 good luck in school, and eventually in training. Don't get discouraged while in training. You will have good days and bad, but keep a positive attitude even if this economy looks bleak. Those who keep a positive attitude in life are the ones most likely to succeed. I drove for Swift for a yr before going local the last 2.

They treated me good, and don't worry when your driven down the road, when you get into your big truck, and you hear other drivers on the cb giving you #### because you drive for Swift. Because I will tell you this, out of all the big companies out there they are more likely to weather the economical Storm better then the others because of their size...

Heck I can remember once parking at the flying hook in Phoenix, and this driver came over the cb and said "O Swifty do you need a real driver to park that truck for you?" After I put it in the hole in one shot, the cb went quiet..

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There are only three women in this world that mean anything to me and they are Karen, Krystal, Amanda..

As for drivers looking for greener pastures, I have talked to several lately who went to those "greener pastures" only to find that Swift treated them better and they have returned. In fact I saw something the other day about those "greener pastures" companies. It read, "To get those greener pastures, they have to spread a lot of fertilizer."

I spoke with someone a few days ago who said anyone who leaves Swift now won't be hired back because Swift only wants loyal drivers who'll stay the course through the rough spot we're all in now.

This was told to me by an instructer for a class I took at Columbus.

__________________
Cowboy up!

Yep is like I said before there is a saying that I will never forget "It's lonely at the top". And everybody will take shipshots at you but I'm a big boy and I will be able to handle it. I'm a people person and a lover not a fighter and with a great attitude about life.