Take it up with injun via PM's.

she'll advise you

She has a part time job,

keeping walmart stocked,

please continue holding !!!!

Originally Posted by silentlysailing

I Have a few questions. I had some stuff come up with my mentor that I wanted to ask about. I called the after hours dispatch and they said that they were all minor issues. I'm also kind of confused to a point, because my terminal is lancaster, and my mentors is laredo.

My mentor is gone on home time right now and I've spent 2 nights at a hotel out of the 3 nights I have been on the truck. I have questions ranging from the student sign in macro, I don't know who to call it in to when I don't have the truck or quallcom to use, Driver services which I was told was my supervisor, is closed till tomorrow. Then who I need to contact if an issue arises.

My mentor wasn't going to file a load for shortage, then he hit a tree knocking out a marker light on the trailer, and denting the top corner up, as for what I know, it was a brand new trailer and he didn't report it.

Then he drove extremely fatigued, and was crossing the yellow center lines, hallucinating, and had very irradict speed. It made me feel very uncomfortable. After hours dispatch said since I was a new student I couldn't tell if a driver is fatigued. I feel bad too, because my mentor is to have 20 years experience driving, but it is so dangerous what he is doing. I told him I was willing to take a log book violation, to get home alive, since he was trying to get home for home time and would not stop for rest. He was even trying to eat sunflower seeds, and throw the casings out the window, and didn't have the window rolled down enough, so they were landing in his lap and on the floor. He needs at the very least a drug test, and checked out by a doctor.

I was told by after hours dispatch that all of my issues were minor. I just wanted to see what other drivers thought, and find some help and support.

I have driving experience as class B in the past, and know some things like fatigue and basic lane control. I did most of the backing yesterday even though it was my first day. I basically didn't worry about how long it took me or how many pull ups, as long as I got into the spot safely.

Sorry if it's all mixed up, I've been very stressed about it, considering it is my first day on the road and dispatch is saying the opposite. We are running team currently too. Even though we aren't logging the driving hours (11 needed supposedly to be called team), we are doing the on duty team hours. He was in the sleeper berth the whole time I was driving.

Any input what so ever would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Natalie

As a former Senior Mentor..(12 years as Mentor/trainer)...you are doing the right thing about calling in your concerns. To be honest with you...I am not surprised about the response from ECT...they don't have the means to deal with a student v Mentor situation, so they are trying to "delay any decision" until Driver Services gets in on Monday, and to "pacify" you to hold off. There really isn't anything they can do, beyond where you are now...off the truck, and hopefully your Mentor is getting rest and not partying his home time.

As for the trailer damage, and the OS&D (over short and damage) issue...this needs to be reported, as it will get found out when the bills get to the billing department and the notations are finally spotted. Now by delaying the response to the shortage...it creates a PR headache and an image issue with the shipper and receiver...

For the trailer damage, don't worry about the exact location it happened, just keep the trailer number and the description of the damage at hand so your statements can be verified. Even if your Mentor goes in and gets the damage repaired before you get back on the truck (if applicable) the shop will have record of the damage being worked on and the light replaced. That type of damage is actually very common, since many cities don't trim trees, and we with tall rigs at times can't avoid close proximity...but it does show a lack of policy and protocol respect and adherence from your Mentor, which is what he is supposed to be teaching you.

Driver Services will be asking you, since you have only been on his truck for such a short time...if you are sure you aren't "making too big a deal" out of these issues you describe. Think your answers through to their questions. Don't be emotional when you are speaking to them..keep it "business like and productive"! Have all your notes in order and ready to be referenced when you do get a hold of them. DO NOT GET BACK ON THE TRUCK UNTIL YOU DO TALK TO THEM! Even if you make your Mentor wait an hour or two...

As to the post by Walstib...ignore him...he does not know Swift or how they operate...he is Watkins/Shepard and a great promoter of their training program...it works for some and doesn't work for others, just like Swift's program. He, and many others, think by reading the complaints here on this forum (and other forums) that they somehow understand the workings of different companies, yet they have no experience with these other companies. So it becomes a case of "the blind leading the blind"....

Every training company has both good and bad trainers/Mentors...Swift is no exception. 95% of the Mentors at Swift, even if they lack some experience, do care about what they teach, and what they are supposed to be teaching. I personally know the Director of the Mentor/training Program at Swift. While we have had our differences in the past, Scott does care deeply about his program and the Mentors he has working for him. He does not put up with Mentors not doing their job as they are supposed to. But his , and the company's, hands are tied unless the students report honestly about what is actually happening. So you need to pass your information on to Drivers Services.

Be absolutely sure that your issues are not "personality generated", but truly are safety and compliance concerns.

Injun drives nights and should be coming on here very soon....though she is not and never has been a Mentor, she does know and understands Swift training policy and Swift company policy, and her advice is well thought out and given with respect to both the driver, and the student in mind...along with maintaining the policy standards Swift expects from their Mentors.

PM me if you need something answered that you would prefer not being out in the public eye!

Otter

Originally Posted by otherhalftw

As to the post by Walstib...ignore him...he does not know Swift or how they operate...

What I do know is SWIFT's safety record doesn't prove their trainer program helps much...I'm sure they have many good trainers, but how do you explain the safety record not being far superior to those with no trainer program?...Please educate me on this as it doesn't make sense...That's a serious question, I'm not trying to be argumentative or confrontational, what's you take on that?...

Quit your ########....you got an extra hour of sleep last night/this morning.....talk about not being a morning person!!!!! SHEESH!!!!!!!

*The ######## is "a female cat in heat--ing"*

There is no such thing as a minor issue, if you are in fear of your own well being.

I'm not riding with a student or a 30 year vet...IF I feel unsafe. I will buy a bus ticket !!!!!

End of Story......