1st week with Swift - Page 3 - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

stocktonhauler · **^ Top** #21 05.14.2008

This is interesting...The Swift recruiter I talked to said that I would meet with the trainer first before the choice is approved. Did you get this opportunity, or were you just told to jump in the truck of this guy?

There should also be a checklist training program which the trainer is supposed to follow. If he doesn't, then you're not getting trained.

All the companies I've seen, big or small, have a trainer system that gives the newbie miles to the trainer. I can see that this raises the incentive to boost the newbie freeway miles any which way they can, and then take over when the newbie doesn't drive fast--like in the delivery terminal or during urban driving situationsm, where the training is particularly important. Night driving on the freeway is easy...but training should involve all aspects of the job.

desert_son · **^ Top** #22 05.14.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktonhauler

This is interesting...The Swift recruiter I talked to said that I would meet with the trainer first before the choice is approved. Did you get this opportunity, or were you just told to jump in the truck of this guy?

There should also be a checklist training program which the trainer is supposed to follow. If he doesn't, then you're not getting trained.

All the companies I've seen, big or small, have a trainer system that gives the newbie miles to the trainer. I can see that this raises the incentive to boost the newbie freeway miles any which way they can, and then take over when the newbie doesn't drive fast--like in the delivery terminal or during urban driving situationsm, where the training is particularly important. Night driving on the freeway is easy...but training should involve all aspects of the job.

I used to be a trainer for Swift the recruiter is partly right. You should have time to meet your trainer but sometimes there is no time. I have picked up trainees while on a load. I try to at least talk to them a couple of times on the phone before we get together.
There is a check list for each week of training both the trainee and the trainer have to sign off on it. There is also a form to record all backs that the trainee does.
My way to train was to have "my partner" start driving during the day or early evening, then gradually drive over night. As for the slowness of the trainee ya I would get a little impatience but would only take over if he was taking to long to back into a doc and he was blocking other drivers from getting into their docs.

TrooperRat · **^ Top** #23 05.14.2008

The only thing I want to add here is the same thing I have been preaching for years and years: GET A MINI-CASSETTE RECORDER AND GET IT ON TAPE. That little thing can sit in your pocket and record such episodes without the other person ever knowing.

kilroy2963 · **^ Top** #24 05.15.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by desert_son

I used to be a trainer for Swift the recruiter is partly right. You should have time to meet your trainer but sometimes there is no time. I have picked up trainees while on a load. I try to at least talk to them a couple of times on the phone before we get together.
There is a check list for each week of training both the trainee and the trainer have to sign off on it. There is also a form to record all backs that the trainee does.
My way to train was to have "my partner" start driving during the day or early evening, then gradually drive over night. As for the slowness of the trainee ya I would get a little impatience but would only take over if he was taking to long to back into a doc and he was blocking other drivers from getting into their docs.

My trainer didnt even follow the checklist. He just threw me in the passenger seat at 11PM and said here you go. I wasn't used to the size of the truck, how it handled, or how it shifted, or passing or being passed by other trucks!! I damn near crapped myself!!

His idea for teaching me how to back for my 1st time was in a very crowded Pilot truck stop. He could of had me try it at any one of the 6 or so drop yards we went to. The whole damn thing was a disaster from the get go!!

dumpbucket · **^ Top** #25 05.15.2008

Kilroy, your story is very very common. Seems to happen at most every company and it sucks.

kilroy2963 · **^ Top** #26 05.15.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumpbucket

Kilroy, your story is very very common. Seems to happen at most every company and it sucks.

Thats to bad, and your right, I have read horror stories from just about all the major carries, its just not Swift. To think that this is the kind of crap you have to put up with when trying to get a job in a new field. No wonder why so many rookies don't make it more then a few months.

I'mdoing all I can to avoid going back with Swift, even if that means taking a dock job in the meantime.

Kinghunter · **^ Top** #27 05.19.2008

Try USF Glenn Moore, Schneider, Lisa Motor lines and there a couple of others. All these are better than Swift. I know ATI hires from there. One member says they are a great company to start out with. I think Pathfinder is his s/n.

Hunter

kilroy2963 · **^ Top** #28 05.19.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinghunter

Try USF Glenn Moore, Schneider, Lisa Motor lines and there a couple of others. All these are better than Swift. I know ATI hires from there. One member says they are a great company to start out with. I think Pathfinder is his s/n.

Hunter

Thanks Hunter, I'll check them out......also I sent you a PM.

TLGken · **^ Top** #29 05.20.2008

I agree, that is not how a 'trainer' should act. Falsifying the logbook, not being respectful to the trainees is no way to train.
When I train a driver, I first 'assess' what the trainee 's skills are, and help that driver improve their skills.
If a trainer cannot communicate with the trainee during the dat...ie-radio too loud, he cannot help hone skills and teach new drivers the skills that are needed.
It takes time and patience for a trainer to note areas that need attention. Treat other drivers like what you would want to be treated.

danc694u · **^ Top** #30 05.20.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLGken

I agree, that is not how a 'trainer' should act. Falsifying the logbook

When I trained, I found it frustrating as to how many students wanted to learn HOW to cheat.

I generally accomodated them, with a quick run down of ways. I wasn't worried about them grasping any of it. Hell they could barely do a legal log book. And they were driving and couldn't take notes LOL.

Most of them were happy with that, once they figured out it wasn't as "easy" as learning how to log legal...which they still couldn't do.

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