Swift orientation questions?

Hello everyone my first post and I am looking for help...lol... I go to orientation with Swift on 12/1/09 at the Atlanta terminal ... What can I expect and how do they run things ? What would be good ideas on what to bring. They tell me it will last 2 to 3 days after which I need to be ready to go out with a mentor for 6weeks... What all will I go through in orientation? What can I expect , What can I do to make it easier on myself... I guess I need info on all of it ... I'm a recent graduate of a 10 week driving school ..East Central Tech in Douglas Ga. I have my class A BUT this is all new to me ... Kind of nervious about it leaving home and family and all behind but at the same time looking forward to it ... Can anyone give my some info or tips for this newbie... What are the chances of making it with Swift once they invite you to orientation... I here so many stories of people getting stranded at places like that ... I worked for my last company for 21 years before they shut down (non-trucking)... Once I get on a job I kind of like to stay put ...lol...

thank you ..

 

First, read read read about Swift in the threads about good and bad companies. Get a good cell phone plan, take a can of lysol and some sanitizing wipes...and shower shoes.

Dont be upset if things take longer than you expect, take some cash or other means of money with you so you can buy food you will get hungry, and if possible have enough available to get back home if things "go south".

There are others here who will chime in on the orientation stuff and if you do a search using the feature above you can find lots of information. IF you leave out with a trainer right after class is done pack light but smart, 2 people in a truck things can get tight. Dont get discouraged, starting out with a trainer things can get ugly if your not a good match, just keep your cool and think before you act. Jumping off a truck with a trainer can get you a bad DAC and make your life so much more miserable when looking for another job.

In all my years (over 20) involved with the trucking industry SWIFT has never had all that great of a rep, nor has JB HUNT and a couple of others. Just be warned....OH and GOOD LUCK~keep us posted on how things are going if you can. Everyone has a different experience.

 

welcome justtrucking,look on forum for texas-nana or wait for her to see your post and she seems to be able to give good info on what you need to know.

 

Good luck and keep posting to let us know how it goes for you.

 

Home for the Holiday I was lucky as my mentor put in for his home time to be with his family so I am lucky to be home with mine. Though to be honest I am ready to get back out on the road and finish up my training and get into my own truck... Funny thing is now that I am home and driving my pickup it seems like a little toy ...lol...

Anyway let me recap ... I went to the orientation where we set around for 3 days they put us up in a pretty nice hotel . There were suppose to be 24 of us at orientation but only 21 showed up for it. The first day was spent taking physicals and drug test we lost one that night when he returned to the hotel he packed up and left. And we lost one the next day when they called him into the office at lunch and he was gone ... But 19 of us made it through the next two days were spent watching videos and going over the Swift way and what we were to expect and what they expected of us.

At the end of the third day we were coded and told we were one of the best classes to come through in awhile. We had our bags packed and ready to leave that day but only one or two did . Some were sent home to wait for their mentor to pick them up. And some of us had to return to the terminal the next day , I was in that group. I was then sent home on a Friday and my mentor called and picked me up on Monday.

I have been on the road for 15 days and I feel I have a pretty good mentor . We get along well and I think in those 15 days I have learned more about trucking then I did in 10 weeks of school. I have already done close to 40 backs and my mentor says I do it well. Shifting was one of my biggest things I went from a frieghtliner 10 gears to a Volvo 9 gears (really more like 8 gears) It took a little time to adjust and not grind as much ...lol... But it is all coming along well ,I work with the qualcom as much as possible and try to pre plan every trip these are things I feel are important to me as I don't want to get on my own and try to learn these things. My driving and improving is something I also put great importance on, always trying to keep my eyes and mind focused on all that is going on and knowing where my trailor is. I learn something new every day and hope to continue to do so for the rest of my life.

I have been through several states and we have put in alot of miles . It takes a little getting use to living in a truck and eating at truck stops, The prices are high and you have to learn to keep stuff in the truck to make it cheaper on yourself. I got use to sleeping in the truck after driving a 500+ mile day that truck rocks you to sleep...lol... Not sure if now that I am home I will be able to sleep without hearing and feeling that engine as we go down the road, I already miss it ... I remember Taxas NaNa's words, when we pull into the truck stops about looking decent and being nice because we represent Swift and there is enough bad out there already so we need to represent well, I'm doing my best to do my part.

It's only been 15 days in the truck but so far my Swift experience has been a good one ... Not like some of the horror stories you read on here and other boards. I know that is not much to judge on so far and I have a long way to go . But this has already exceeded my expectations and I am happy so far . My Mentor called me yesterday to tell me he will be picking me up on Monday to head back out and I am ready. He dropped me off at 2:00 am that morning close to my home town and called me a few hours later to let me know when he was coming back to get me... I thought that was very good of him.

Good Luck to all of those that come behind me and be safe out there on the roads we came down from S. Dakota the other day and their were so many cars that had slid of the road and hit concrete guard rails and such. We had to take a detuor at one point because of it , The temp on one of the clocks at a bank read zero degrees...lol... I did not see one trucker off the road though only cars it was not till we got into Georgia and some rain that I saw were a tanker had slid off the road. Thanks for all the help from some of the truckers on this board when I asked for it ... And I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday season...

 

keep up the work. remember the last week you will be the boss he will have you plan your trips and you will do most of the driving. that means 11 hours a day. so pay attention now. you will have to explain everything your doing and why. Swift is a good place don't let the people that want to snipe getyou down remember you are new and they are trusting you with thousands of their dollars. you will have a driving test at the end. remember 1 thing its just a short road trip drive it like you do every day watch your mirrors and back slow and get out and look. thats number one GET OUT AND LOOK! other drivers will give you hell but do it. and then you know your clear.the one time I didn't BANG I got another guys tire. luckily he was cool and we resolved it quickly and neither of us lost any road time. good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

Frustration
Dissatisfaction
Anger
Impatience
Are a few of the many emotions y'all will experience in a truckin' career, and

can be useful when properly considered. When y'all reach the point where

what MIGHT happen becomes just a passing concern because y'all have enough

confidence in your abilities to know y'all can think your way through problems

when they arise, congratulations are in order. You've graduated to the next

higher level and deserve to be addressed as such.

And no, other drivers will not give you hell, I was at the 84 loves and saw a guy have to get out atleast 10 times blind side 90'n between 2trucks into that
hole in the back nobody can ever get it. And remember you are working for a corperation, so...go figure.

 

What paper work did you need to get in to school? I am going 2/9/10 and don't want to come home for anything.

I guess I am going to be in a room with 3 others.

Anything you wish you had taken?

 

Rug, you will probably be in a different hotel than Swift students. Sorry I did not catch that earlier. Just documenting my experiences as a student, although I already had a cdl. I am sure your requirements will be different than mine.

 

Admiralty Hotel 2240 Democrat Road Memphis. Maybe we won't have 4 to a room?