SWIFT terminated me for accident while training. Advice needed.

First question i would have to say would be, Describe "Clip" a parked truck? Since it was on SWIFT private Property it wasnt public no cops no police report? or am i missing more to your story?

2nd part would be to you is

You didnt know what the "Wanna-Be-SWIFT-Trainer" was telling the main office about your progress and if you should be kept on or let go.


Suggestion is get your DAC if it has this on it as well as your DMV History report. see what that says.

Look for a "Mom & Pop" Trucking company to try and work for.

 

This is an outrage. Yes, sorry for me to say, but you do "own it" for not refusing to drive an unsafe CMV.
But the trainer is the one who truly deserves the axe. He knowingly, willingly, and negligently suggested/instructed you to drive a clearly unsafe vehicle.
What did you say to the company about this "trainer"? Did you report anything about this trainer's unprofessional and abusive treatment to anyone in the company prior to this, or afterward?

What was the exact extent of the damages, to both vehicles?
You need to try to get copies of your personnel file as well as your DAC report, before even thinking about looking for another trucking position.
My guess is the "trainer" did everything under the sun to lie and cover his butt, leaving you the sole "sheared sheep".
Quite frankly, the first thing I'd do is speak with several attorneys (not just one's opinion), that are knowledgeable in trucking law.

 

When you tell they next company about the accident don't go into all the details you listed above...you hit a trailer on so and so date and caused x amount of damage...done...next question. Put where you live in your profile so people can help with your job search.

 

Let me give you MY OPINION, which is of course just that.

You will not have much of a problem getting on with another company. Swift is a starter company. There are other starter companies out there. One incident will not keep you from getting hired.

One of my driving jobs was with Design Transportation out of Dallas, Texas. It is a very good company but they were not a good fit with me at that point in my career. When I first was hired by them, I rode the bus down to Dallas. I was very tired but they wanted me to take the driving test as soon as I got there. I told them I was tired and need to sleep first. They insisted so I did. I got in, started up and began to pull out. I made it about 15 feet before I had clipped the trailer next to me. I then was sent to the hotel to sleep. Next day, I passed the driving test fine.

There is a storage of 400,000 drivers in this Nation at the current time. Stop acting like a beggar. No company is giving you charity. They need Drivers. Learn from your mistake and do not do it again. Oh, and never park next to my truck.

You may have to drive for Stevens or one of those like companies until you get your first year in but there are more of us who have hit something at one time or another then the Million Mile guys. Just remember to Never Make the Same Mistake Twice. (except marriage, I am on my third.)

 

Str8, I had a bad trainer at US Xpress. I got off the truck & went home. Sent a certfied letter to the CEO explaining my experience. The head of training called me & apologized for my bad experience. They then sent an awesome trainer who taught me a lot. My first trainer was like yours but these companies do have good trainers. Problem is that there aren't enough o f them.

I suggest you write a letter explaining what happened.

 

A lot of students get fired for this reason and so much more because they're new and of course they're going to let trainers have the upper hand.Companies don't care either.If they did they would talk about that during the orientation process that students and trainees are not to be bullied or intimidated by their trainers.This type of thing happens far too often in this industry which causes many soon to be good drivers to quit or get fired.It should also be in the policy hand book.Then at least more trainees would know enough to request another trainer immediately and not feel like they should be bullied just because he or she is a trainer.It would also make trainers think twice before they feel they have to treat trainees like some robot that has no rights.