There were 14 days of classroom and range time but the first day was paper work and very little learning, one of the days was graduation and we didn't learn anything. Hence the 12 days. I'm not saying I didn't learn anything from the Academy. It was a good experience. It's the post training that has me worried. I logged 18 hours driving with my TE in the 4 days I was out according to my log book. Most of that was interstate driving. I've only backed up to 3 docks. And a couple button hooks. I don't feel I'm ready to go out on my own with such little driving experience. I could get by with the old truck but I won't drive anything that won't pass my pretrip or a DOT inspection. Ultimately the driver is responsible and I won’t put the public or myself in danger. I'm confused as much as you but I would like to thank you about bringing up the PTDI. That will be useful in the future. It only reinforces my concerns. I didn’t receive enough driving time according to the PTDI standards

Originally Posted by Tip

How the hell can somebody screw up that badly on a DMV test? That trainee crossed the median and hit an Explorer? I HOPE this truck was a normal rig with a bunk in the sleeper and not one of those training trucks that has benches. If it had benches, there were probably several passengers back there watching this guy cross the median and hit a car. Can you imagine sitting on one of those benches when that happened? I'd have probably needed my trousers changed afterwards, assuming the people in the car were okay. I bet anyone in the Explorer was hurting after that hit, though. Afterwards I would have taken a long look in the mirror and considered leaving trucking behind in a cloud of dust. I might have done just that, too.

Oh well. There's always the lawsuit. One may be a vegetable sitting in a wheelchair after being cold-cocked by a rig, but there is always that to fall back on, right?

Swift should be shut down. 'Nuff said.

Hey Tip. At the time of this accident there were only two people in the rig. The driver testing and the DMV officer. The school was shut down for a couple hours after the accident. The school personnel tried to keep all the details quiet, but when everyone saw the accident on the news during lunch break. The Explorer was completely demolished and I believe at least one person died in the accident. The driver had a lot of trouble in school and just wasn't ready to be tested. This guy was the extremely nervous type and had alot of trouble with the enlish language. He told a bunch of students after the accident that he was really nervous and driving to slowly on the interstate, so the DMV officer asked him to speed up a lil bit. They were driving through road construction and I guess when she asked him to pick up the speed he "freaked out" and went into the uncoming traffic. This guy should not have made it to take the DMV test with the problems he was having. Swift pushes people through their school just to have more drivers.
Here is another example of this. I had a guy in my class that was a problem from day one. He also had trouble understanding the english language or "acted" like he did at times. Although this guy became a friend of mine, I honestly believe he should have taken a different career path. He didn't want to listen to anyone, not even the teachers. He argued and caused major problems the entire time he was in class. When we were out on the range practicing our backing skills he just about backed through the auto auction next door, because "he knew what he was doing" . When it came time for our week on the road no one wanted to be in the same truck as him for fear they would be in a accident. There were four students (inclucing myself) and the road instructor in the truck. Most of the trucks were equipped with seats and seatbelts in the bunk area, but this one had a bed. I don't think it should be legal for them to have training trucks without seatbelts for everyone. This guy almost put everyone in the truck and other passengers on the highway at risk several times. 1) the instructor asked him to switch lanes, so without looking in his mirrors or using a turn signal he switches over into the far left lane. There were cars coming up beside the trailer and they have to go over onto the shoulder to keep from getting hit! 2) the instructor told this driver to take the next exit ramp to head back to the school. The ramp speed was 25mph. This guy took the ramp at 60mph and just about turned the truck over! He slammed on the brakes and I just happened to be the one sitting in the middle of the bed. I was thrown out of the bed and landed between the seats. I almost hit my head on the dash but I put my hand up just in time. This driver didn't even know that I was thrown out of the bunk area. He tried to act like everyone in the truck was lying about it afterwards.
This guy went through every trainer in the school and couldn't get along with any of them. He did however, go to the DMV and pass his CDL test! The instructor that took him to test was friends with the DMV officer, so I think they planned for him to pass just to get him out of school.
Something needs to be done about this problem. The schools should have tougher guidlines or something.

Originally Posted by KissyMellons

Swift leaves it's drivers out in the cold LITERALLY. I have an online friend that has been down since 9pm last night in WA with no heat. Battery on truck isn't charging. Team drivers. 20 degrees in truck. FINALLY sent truck to jump them off about 5AM. Want them to go ahead and deliver load even though truck probably won't make it there since it isn't charging the batteries. Do not care about the drivers!I have never driven for Swift and NEVER WILL!

Wondering why Swifty is such a dysfunctional company? Don't be afraid to be 'politically incorrect' as long as it's the truth!

So many true statements here about good old Swift.Very true they are getting too big too fast.My opinion,I think they will eventually fold due to bad mamagement.True,no more Freightliners at Swift,only the crappy old Volvos,and I speak from experience,after doing a short stint with them.I would have traded the 2004 Volvo for a 20 yrt.old Freightliner cabover anytime.As far as new Swift trls. sitting at Wabash,I dont know,but it wouldnt surprise me if they are having credit problems.On an average Swift has 75 to 100 mt trls.sitting at the Sears dist.cen.in Columbus,OH.at all times.And no way can a driver get an Mt from Sears.<Maybe they owe Sears some money??Their big contracts seem to be Sears,KMart,Dollar General,and the big one seems to be pulling MT trls.all over the country.Seems like most of their paper loads are scrap paper.I would not reccomend Swift to my worst enemy.

Heres a funny one for you. Speaking of Sears in Columbus. Once they deadheaded me 500 miles from NY to drop my empty at that Sears then they told me to go back to the terminal and find an empty.

Right on Littlebit,that same thing happened to me.I was waiting at the term.for a dispatch.They dispatched me to take my MT to Sears.After I dropped it at Sears they dispatch me on a pickup in Indy.tell me to go back to yard and find Mt trl.Guess what,no mts on yard.I ask night dispatch where mts are at.They tell me they dont have a list of mt trls.I was just about ready to go thru the window and punch out the dispatcher,guess he figured that out and sent me to Kmart to pick up an mt.Oh yeah they told me Sears didnt have any mts to load.when I got there,there was between 75 and 100 mt Swift trls in their lot.Somethin #### funny there.Does this sound like good management or what?Just one of my experiences with Swift.Not long after that I pulled the pin.Would never even consider driving for them again.I recently signed on with Roehl,and so far everything is going fine.

being a truck driver i am in no way a swift fan. BUT i will give them credit for ONE thing. in 2004 my wife and mom were on their way to the store on I-85 when a swift flatbed lost a ladder off the back. the ladder flew back on the highway and my wife hit it with my truck at about 75mphbusting 2 of my tires but no one was hurt. the swift driver saw what happend and turned around and ask if anybody was hurt. i don't know this drivers name but i would like to thank him for his concern for the wellbeing of my family. the state tropper took a report and 2 day's later swift calls me on the phone. the lady ask how my family was doing and if we needed anything. i told her we were fine and i did'nt want to sue or anything i just wanted them to pay for the damage to my truck. she asked what the bill was and i told her $185.00 for a tow truck and 2 tires. she said she would take care of it and 3 day's later i got a check for $350.00. i must commend them for the way they handeled the matter. BUT yes i think SWIFT SUCKS to drive for!!
Smurf...