Getting back on the road...orientation with Swift as a flatbed newbie 2/3/2014

Alright, so orientation day 2 began with some good, unexpected news...apparently for those in orientation beginning this week, we shall be paid for days 2 and 3. It's not much, but it is paid (minimum wage I believe is what the orientation coordinator at Greer told us). I will let everyone know if it does in fact show up. We were told this is a brand new thing and we are the first group to be paid for orientation.

Nothing but paperwork review and classes today. HOS and logging plus company policies and benefits. The experienced drivers met their dm's and the trainee's met with the driver development coordinator. Tomorrow will be the last day and all the van drivers were told that they had mentors and would be leaving tomorrow. As for me and the other flatbed driver's, we come back on Thursday and Friday for phase I and that is all I know at this point. The driver development coordinator mentioned that she thought there were only 8 flatbed mentors right now (perhaps I heard wrong and she said 8 available) and that they were all routed out of Gary, IN so she had no info for us other than to mention we may be sent out with van mentors ( I really don't want to but will if it means going out on the road of course).

Still have to say all the people were/are really nice and helpful. The boring classroom stuff is kept entertaining and everyone is shown respect and spoken to with respect. It has been a much more pleasant experience than my first orientation but that also had something to do with the number of people involved and a few other factors probably. Everyone has been very upfront and honest with us. There have been no "life of glory on the road" speeches/talks. They have told everyone from the get go that it's tough, that the starting pay is low, and that there is a ton of turnover. I think we have lost one person but we picked up another so the count remains the same. Hope everyone has a good night.

 

Thanks for the input. All I know is my recruiter repeatedly said no pay until flatbed training and then Tammy saying that we were starting to get paid...oh well, even if it's just a bit it's money in my pocket. Be safe out there.

Well, day three is done and I have my driver code so I guess that means I'm hired! Anyways, not a whole lot going on for me today since I was not going out with the van guys and gals. We did a few more company classes and waited around for our driver codes. It sounded like all of the van drivers had mentors and were leaving today, but I can't be sure as I was cut loose to go home as soon as I spoke with driver development because I live local and drive back and forth. Myself and one other guy start flatbed phase I tomorrow as the other flatbed guy decided to go van instead.

I am definitely looking forward to the flatbed training and ready to begin this new journey. Driver development said I should be prepared to leave Friday but she just doesn't know for sure. I'm hoping for the best. Hope everyone stays safe out there.

 

Nope, did not hear about that one.

 

The main one we got from chief was about a driver running his left drive tires over the hood of a police cruiser. After that it was a few stories dealing with fatalities and the same generic truck crash videos we have all probably seen.

 

Day one of flatbed phase one was pretty basic today. We were given a Swift load securement procedures manual and basically spent the day talking about load securement. Have one more day of phase one and then it is time to go out with a mentor.