Newbies: At what point did you know, for sure, that you had a job?

Swift wont take me direct since I applied through a school first. That was another good lesson I learned APPLY yourself and then go to school with pre-hires.

 

I had a job when I got my driver code on the last day of orientation. I didn't really have my "moment" until I picked up my truck yesterday. There are just too many stories from people that were let go during or after their time with a trainer because of some issue that was somehow "missed" during the screening. Now that I have keys and a truck I feel pretty confident that I will succeed. That confidence comes from doing a lot of preparation so that I understood what I was getting myself into long before I showed up for orientation. The other part is from me just being plain old stubborn. I am one of those people that refuses to fail and I believe that I can succeed at anything I put my mind to.

 

so did you go to private school or company school. Do you mind sharing the company? and why you chose them?

 

I went to a private school since I didn't want to be in a contract with any company. the company i am working for is Swift. I really didn't have too many options due to where I live, but after reading everything I could on here and talking to many drivers, I decided that Swift was the best choice for me. This may sound silly to some, but one of the deciding factors was that Swift trucks have manual transmissions. I feel that it is important to be efficient with a manual first. I'd hate to move on 5 years down the road and be an experienced driver that can't drive a stick. Swift seems to have enough freight to keep you moving and doesn't seem to have any more negatives than the other large carriers out there.

 

When I got the keys to my truck... LOL...

but really, the second week of school , I felt uneasy, because I had never even met the recruiter, and it seemed "too easy".. I asked him if he wanted me to come in for an interview, he said, nooo.. just call me when you got your CDL and we'll get ya rollin. then I felt a little better,

but the pre-hire road test gave me a little bit of the jitters... after that, no problem.

 

Parkhurst Manufacturing offered me a job while I was still on active duty with the U.S. Army in Colorado Springs. Their letter stated that I could use one of their rental box trucks to move my household goods to Sedalia, MO. The box truck needed reconditioning in Sedalia. I was sure I had the job if I wanted it.

Parkhurst gave me a short road test, bobtailing around town in their new Cracker Box Jimmie. I did not drive trucks while in the Army for three years, but I had not forgotten my training.

 

When they called me to come in for a road test.

I figured if they wanted a road test then I was as good as hired unless I messed up.

 

I'm not necessarily a newbie, but I recall that moment well!

My very first solo dispatch! All I could think the whole trip from SC to FL was, I'm actually doing this & its not that hard. Then, when I missed a turn in Miami, my tune changed drastically! What am I doing out here by myself? I did make it ontime, barely. After I blindsided, across a 4 lane into their dock, made for 48 footers, I felt like a million bucks.

To this day, I still learn what I can from personal experience & more experienced drivers, all the time!