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My experience so far.....................

Discussion in 'Swift' started by OceanDan, Dec 19, 2014.

Page 4 of 9
  1. Dec 29, 2014 #31
    HousTank

    HousTank Medium Load Member

    622
    507
    Mar 17, 2014
    Houston, TX
    0
    A few years back when I first went solo I practiced a LOT during my breaks in the back of terminals, truckstops and anywhere else I coulf find a hole. I even accepted a dedicated Target reefer gig out of Ft Worth, in part, to hone my backing skills. After a while I got very comfortable backing.

    Just stay focused and you'll do ok.
     
    HousTank, Dec 29, 2014
    HousTank, Dec 29, 2014
    #31
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  3. Dec 30, 2014 #32
    OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

    281
    179
    Aug 8, 2014
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Second day of orientation in the books, one to go. Should meet my mentor tomorrow and I believe we'll dispatch out Thursday. Good to know 2015 will be a better year than sending my resume out over 300 times and only interviewing once. A classmate from our Millington time had this driver as a mentor so he's highly recommended. Still really looking forward to embarking on this new career. Who knows where it will lead, maybe I'll end up on the corporate side.
     
    OceanDan, Dec 30, 2014
    OceanDan, Dec 30, 2014
    #32
    joseph1135 Thanks this.
  4. Jan 1, 2015 #33
    OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

    281
    179
    Aug 8, 2014
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Happy New Year all! Mentor called me back last evening, will be at Greer terminal today. Going to check out of the five star hotel and head over to terminal to do a load of wash so I can depart without dirty laundry. My mentor is considering going O/O and rumor has it new trucks arriving mid February so (grin) I may have subtle leverage to complete my 200 hours asap. Weather expected has many saying not the best time to be a student but I'm of the mindset learn in the difficult times and will be easier during good times. Being away from family isn't optimal but finally having income again is a fantastic feeling. Hope you all have a SAFE and prosperous 2015
     
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    #33
  5. Jan 1, 2015 #34
    DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    5,204
    3,174
    Aug 10, 2011
    An Alaskan lost somewhere in the Lower 48
    0
    Good for you. Your forum has already felt the sharpness of the many naysayers who want to trash your decision if it's not the same as theirs. It's not the last you will hear from them and other super truckers who never made a bad choice in their lives and know better than you what's best for you. I will also say that in years of driving, I never once - not once - ever tried to figure my hourly wage, and did not want to because I didn't and don't care one bit about that sort of comparison. I retired from another highly-regulated profession and understood before I got in that trucking is not like working at Burger King.

    Tune out the Doubting Thomases and get out of this career what you can. You will be tested and put under stress often, even after you're out there on your own. You will wonder if you made the right choice. You did, because it was your choice, made after careful consideration of your situation.

    Do your year, keep smiling and learning, and enjoying the sunrises, sunsets, and people you will meet as you get paid to see the country. If at the end you want to look for greener pastures, you'll do so with clarity of vision.

    Oh. And you will experience "weather" sooner or later. Learning how to handle your 70' long, 80,000 pound monster safely in it is best done with an instructor, no matter his skill level.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2015
    DenaliDad, Jan 1, 2015
    DenaliDad, Jan 1, 2015
    #34
    inkeper, sisterannie, HousTank and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. Jan 1, 2015 #35
    Victor_V

    Victor_V Road Train Member

    2,797
    1,494
    Dec 15, 2008
    Spencer, Indiana
    0
    OceanDan, look up Lepton1, one of our best here on TTR and still a Swift guy, a trainer, I believe. His posts are some of the best, well-written, well-thought out. Suggest you read all his posts.

    Good luck! Welcome to the backbone of America (trucking)...
     
    Victor_V, Jan 1, 2015
    Victor_V, Jan 1, 2015
    #35
  8. Jan 1, 2015 #36
    OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

    281
    179
    Aug 8, 2014
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Thanks Denali Dad and Victor. I don't worry much about the pessimists I simply won't allow their negativity to saturate.
    Met my mentor today. We'll be heading to Joisey for a live unload on the 3rd Will be an easy first run.
     
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    #36
  9. Jan 1, 2015 #37
    Cjh_army

    Cjh_army Medium Load Member

    347
    231
    Jan 9, 2013
    Hamilton, Montana
    0
    Personally, I hate the Jersey/NYC area, lol. But at least you're starting out there. And have a mentor to help you out while you're there. Good luck!
     
    Cjh_army, Jan 1, 2015
    Cjh_army, Jan 1, 2015
    #37
  10. Jan 1, 2015 #38
    OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

    281
    179
    Aug 8, 2014
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    LOL Cjh army I wouldn't be too upset staying away from the northern east coast but once again if you start with the worst you appreciate the rest
     
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    OceanDan, Jan 1, 2015
    #38
  11. Jan 1, 2015 #39
    Cjh_army

    Cjh_army Medium Load Member

    347
    231
    Jan 9, 2013
    Hamilton, Montana
    0
    That's right man. And nothing is permanent! That's what I like. If I'm in a area I don't like I know that at least I'll be leaving lol.
     
    Cjh_army, Jan 1, 2015
    Cjh_army, Jan 1, 2015
    #39
  12. Jan 2, 2015 #40
    OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

    281
    179
    Aug 8, 2014
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Part of the lure of a professional trailer driver is getting paid to see the country. I've hit the Midwest and South but not much of the NE or West. Will be my first entry to Joisey. Even in a four wheeler though never liked that traffic around DC I can't imagine it gets better going north. Seems like till you get to upstate NY it's just one gigantor city
     
    OceanDan, Jan 2, 2015
    OceanDan, Jan 2, 2015
    #40
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