I'm going with Swift!!!

Discussion in 'Swift' started by OpenRoadGuy, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. difference-maker

    difference-maker Light Load Member

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    ORG, Glad to see you were able to post. We are all truly glad all is well with you. I am glad you have a trainer who genuinely cares for you and your well being. Looks like you will definately get good trianing. Those hours will fly by and you'll soon be out on your own. Stay focused and thanks for the update. It is always a pleasure to read your posts. Stay safe out there and stay in touch. God Bless.
     
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  3. Wedge

    Wedge Road Train Member

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    Welcome!!

    Never let the company training period turn you negative about the industry. It's temporary, but necessary. Just like boot camp. Once you get through it, your new "lifestyle" will begin to resemble what you have envisioned.

    If you have any questions, we're all just a click or two away.

    Good luck to you. Let us know how you do.
     
  4. Schmidtrock

    Schmidtrock Light Load Member

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    Glad to see you got some time to post. Believe me, I know how hard it is. I don't think I made more than one or two posts at all while being mentored. I totally agree and endorse what you said about a company driver for mentor. I had one myself and he had the same attitude and personality sounds like, as yours. For that I'm grateful. Soak it all up like a parched sponge. You'll be fine when you hit solo. The first day or so are a bit intimidating but it passes quickly. Good luck with the rest of your training!
     
  5. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Good to hear you are doing well ORG! I knew you would. As far as orientation, that is classic! One of my most favorite things and guilty indulgence is to go to orientation. It is better than any reality show, real or fake! The next best thing is hanging out at the terminal and listen to other drivers share their stories.

    Hang in the ORG, won't be long before you have your own truck. The whole training thing sucks but you won't regret it. It usually goes by quickly too. You are so busy you don't have time to stress about it. Good luck man, look forward to hearing more of your posts.
     
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  6. sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

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    ORG you will look back (someday!) on your training and be glad! You will get information you are going to need to suceed. Be glad your trainer is decent and willing to share and not just using you at a warm body to team with. Chompi is right-it goes by and the next thing you know you are in your own rig and there will be so much you will feel like you don't know! Just remember keep asking questions -you have all along and look how far you have come since June!!
    Stay safe Driver!!
    Looking forward to your next updates!!!
     
    Wedge and chompi Thank this.
  7. chralb

    chralb Road Train Member

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    Hey brother!! Glad to see you could get on-line and let you're fans know what's been going on.

    Saves a lot of..."Hey Chris, what's going on with ORG??" for me too! :biggrin_2559: Just kidding of course buddy!

    Well I finally made it home and My truck is running good. I'm getting it set up this weekend and have to get going on my next load either tonight or Sunday morning. I have the time but quite honestly man, I'm chomping at the bit to get back in that rig...LOL

    I figure I'll get there early, camp out at a place nearby and start working on making my living space a little more....well....livable.

    Keep us up to date as best you can and I'll do the same. Poobah gave me some good tips for getting on-line for free out there so perhaps I'll be able to post a bit more until I can get my phone & plan updated and a card for my laptop. Although mu buddy Mike tells me that the new Droid works well as a modem so I may not even need the card once I get it. I plan on getting Sprint's "Simply Everything" plan with the 4G network and droid phone.

    Talk to you soon brother and keep the brain engaged out there! :biggrin_25525:
     
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  8. sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

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    Rochester, NY
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    Hey all just wanted to post so this thread goes back up to the top and does not get lost!

    Openroadguy hope all is well and we can't wait for your next installment!!!
     
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  9. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    Hey, normally I would go forward with updates and respond to all of the posts. There so many I want to reply to! I'm absolutely exhausted. I've completed over 120 hours (over half way to goal).

    I've figured it out and over the last 11 days I have driven over 6,000 miles. I just got into the Memphis, TN terminal and I actually asked my mentor to back up the truck because I was *so* tired, and didn't want to risk a crash due to exhaustion.

    In the last 5 days we went from PA to AZ, and then from AZ to TN. Just gives you an idea of how hard we have been hitting the road. Now the road is hitting back.
     
  10. Wedge

    Wedge Road Train Member

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    I'm glad you asked your mentor to help out. You did the right thing. Someone reading this may say, "it's just backing up, how can you be too tired to back up". They don't realize how much fatigue impacts your driving. This isn't an SUV, it's a 70' freight platform. Driving tired can cause accidents, even in reverse.

    You're doing great, ORG. Keep up the good work.:biggrin_255:
     
  11. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    Okay so I got a second wind and the truck is in the shop for a "B" service (oil change) so I can't sleep anyway....

    So with orientation pretty much over, it was time to talk to the lady who handles the "Mentor" program for Swift. She manages around 70 trainees and assigns them with Swift trainers. To become a Mentor at Swift you need to have a safe record, at least a year of experience, and run above average miles with good on time delivery.

    So we found out right away that there were 21 folks who needed mentors (they added some folks who weren't a part of our original orientation for some reason), but there were only 6 mentors available, and all of the mentors were smokers. I immediately raised my hand and asked what they had me down for and the lady stated I preferred I non-smoker. I corrected her and let her know I was a non-smoker but had no preference, I would go with a smoker.

    So she began to dole out the mentors and my plan was to raise my hand to request each one. She described the first mentor, but that mentor requested a young person (hey, I'm only 33), but she doled him out to some 23 year old kid. The next 4 mentors were handed out pretty quickly, and even though I was aggressive in trying to get them, I was passed up.

    The last mentor was described as a serious mentor who was strictly there to teach, not to be entertaining (as some of the mentors were described as), or to be your friend. While others hesitated, I immediately raised my hand and got the serious mentor. I joked to the people next to me that I was expecting to be hit repeatedly with a ruler...and that's where our story begins....
     
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