A peek inside Swift Miles

I call them glad hand seals, but they have lots of names and nicknames as you can see. They are simply little rubber doohickeys in the glad hands which are the airline connections from the tractor to the trailer. Always always carry extras. They are very easy to replace, but you're not moving without them. I have twice picked up a trailer where they had been removed- once in Laredo and once at a rail yard in Chicago. There was also a time I developed an air leak while driving and when I stopped to investigate, it turned out to be one of these seals had cracked and was letting air leak out.

When you get your truck, head to the parts room and ask for some. They will give you a big handful, no questions asked. It's a good idea to get some spare lights as well. I've had trailer lights stolen while I was sleeping. There are always drivers who would rather get what they need by stealing it off another truck than buying it for themselves.

 

If you are with Swift just take the "Road Ready" class the first chance you get. Class is like four hours and is beneficial to folks who are just getting their feet wet in trucking. They teach you tips and tricks for a great deal of things. Like instead of bending the trailer tandem release arm when it will not stay in the unlock position, simply use a pair of vice grips on the arm to keep it unlocked. At the end of the class they give you some basic tools and alot of parts (lights, fuses, glad hands etc) that you are able to replace yourself instead of waiting for breakdown to eventually get someone to you. As long as you are with Swift for 6 months after you get the tools and parts they are free. However if you leave prior to that 6 months then they charge you a PRETTY penny for those basic items.