new to trucking, orientation on Monday

Good luck to you!

 

Congratulations, marvelfan!

Half of the folks that go to school and try to get a CDL succeed. About half those that apply for Swift orientation are accepted. About half that arrive to orientation are hired. Most of those that aren't hired are weeded out (pun intended) the first day by the drug test, drive test, or "inadequate" background check. Bring EVERYTHING that you will need in terms of paperwork, follow the check list provided by your recruiter.

If I were in your shoes read through the Packing List For Students thread. It's a long read, but you'll get the gist of it within a few pages. While there is a shortage of mentors for all the new hires, there is a good chance you'll be able to immediately finish orientation and get onto a mentor's truck right away. Come prepared to work, with everything you'll need to get on the road. That includes a sleeping bag and pillow, warm clothes (think chaining in freezing windy conditions), a towel (for showering at terminals where they don't provide towels), flip flops (for ANY shower in a terminal or truck stop), and enough clothes to last at least a week at a time.

Plan on living in cramped quarters, so limit what you bring to what can fit in a large duffle, small duffle, and maybe a computer bag (which is about what I brought for training). Depending on how much cupboard and drawer space your mentor provides you may end up sleeping with one or more of your duffle bags in the top bunk.

Come prepared to work and live on the road. There's nothing quite like getting a trainee on the truck that didn't think to bring a sleeping bag, or pillow, or work shoes, or warm clothes, or work gloves, or... (you get the picture)...

Regarding money, have enough to tide you over until your SECOND paycheck. You'll be paid for your last two days of orientation at minimum wage. Payroll ends Sunday at midnight, with your pay the second Tuesday after that Sunday. Your first paycheck will be SMALL. If you get onto a mentor's truck right away you'll have that first good paycheck the second payday. Have enough to survive until then. I've ended up fronting money to more than one trainee, but it's a good thing when they start getting the bigger paychecks and seeing the light at the end of the training tunnel.

Once you reach 200 hours behind the wheel drive time you'll be dropped off at a terminal, logging out of your mentor's truck. Then you will test out with a written test and a drive test. Fail either one and you'll be assigned an additional 50 BTW hours training and have another chance to test out. Once you successfully test out you'll be assigned your own truck and dispatched on your first load...

... then it gets fun.

 

Good luck. One more short week to go at Roadmaster Tampa.

 

Previous truck driving experience and a willingness and ability to run in the snow and ice is a real bonus.

If your week is going well you'll rarely ever need to call your Driver Manager (DM). Usually you'll have at least one load "stacked" on you before you finish delivering the load you're under. Load Planners seem to be getting better about this, so I don't think you'll find yourself sitting around much if you're wanting to run. However, once Thanksgiving is over it starts slowing down. Survive through the winter and let them see you run and you'll be doing well come Spring.

 

why not do orientation in Richmond...