after orientation w/swift

You don't necessarily need a passport, but it makes it easier....thinks you apply for FastCheck license endorsement...allows you to go into Canada. I will find more bout it....otherwise some other member may comment on it.

Brent

Bill, will chck ther PM...and yes he lives in ME...so will be picked up in Derry.

 

Hey wantta- we were in Swifts orientation out of their Lancaster, TX terminal in October 08. If your still wanting to know some info I dont think its been so long I cant remember lol. We dont TOTALLY hate them--so if there's other info you want -- just tag back here and I'll try to help out. Alot of posters on this site rag pretty bad on swift. Some of it is SPOT ON-- some of it ---no so much. I could just be one more opinion if your still curious...

 

it might be the same procedure for me then, i'm canadian citizen, permanent resident in the US

 

They are still hiring students. I just got my cdl and I'm going to orientation on the 1st of Nov. in Decatur, Ga
Wish me luck

 

Hey there everyone. Great thread to be on, here. I've been on the forums a few months now, and it's such a great place to come to learn about the industry. I'm starting with Swift at the Memphis, TN location on the 19th of this month. Would anyone have any info on this location?

 

Yep! I'm set up for orientation in the same terminal for Oct. 20. I called my recruiter at least once a week, so he knows my unique name when he hears it. I applied in late April and was originally scheduled for mid-August but had a conflict. So, Swift really is hiring students because he got me on the schedule twice!

 

I'd love to know how things are going for you so far at Swift...

 

Hey, Gypsy!

I'm doing okay at Swift. I'm getting trained, and the training pay is hitting my account. So far, I have no direct indications that Swift is the horrible company that some people insist that it is. My trainer is a woman like I requested, but she's on a dedicated run to different stores for this company. (I'm glad she doesn't run to the same store everyday.) She is teaching me a lot, and she happens to have a lot of patience.

My driving is decent, but I've got a long way to go on backing. My trainer says some people never learn how to back well until they're in their own truck. I'm getting better, and she's trying to teach me with limited yelling (lol). I have to work on some techniques, but I think I will do well once I upgrade and team up with another woman I met in orientation. We're both looking forward to it.

The one thing I've noticed about Swift so far is that rules will change on the Qualcomm. It's happened three times since I've been in my three weeks of training. However, I've been taught some good practices about logging and scanning logs (don't half-### it and wait til the last minute to scan).

Yesterday, I met two guys at the Atlanta terminal who were both solo OTR. They say they wish they had longer runs, but they are doing good getting their short runs. They said they were making money because of the simple idea of taking the short runs that will keep you moving. If you refuse short runs, you won't move very much, and those are the guys that b**** and moan the most in the drivers lounge.

The only thing that kills me is my bladder. I have had to retrain my bladder to hold it for longer. Also, I don't drink water as much as I'd prefer because I'm on my trainer's truck, and she doesn't like frequent stops considering the demanding schedule. I catch up on the weekends so I can clean all the Vault soda out of my system.

How's it going for any other Swift rookies?

 

That reminds me.... As far as I've heard, they are still definitely hiring students, but Swift isn't taking experienced drivers right now. I don't know what that's about, but I had lots of students in my orientation group that came with 2 - 4 months experience from other companies. Maybe that will change in the spring.

 

Hey Lady, Glad to hear things are going well for you. My orientation day got switched to Dec 15 because their were a few people ahead of me on the orientation list, but all is good. I've mananged to go on a few runs with some trucker friends, and even drive a few times. I think driving one of these is one of the most exilirating things I've done in a long time, don't you?
I'm not real particular as to whether my trainer is male or female, doesn't bother me either way. As long as I get a smoker....lol...yes, I'm an evil cigarette smoker. But you could help me out with a thing or two.....Does Swift have APU units in their trucks and maybe you could get some info for me on the pet policy?
You say you met your future team partner at orientation? That's intersting, I'd actually prefer to drive teams but I don't know that I want somebody else picking my partner for me.
But thank you for the info and Be Safe