SWIFT Orientation and Mentor A Diary

Day 11

Doing a another 34 hour reset, my mentor burns the hours, 10 or more driving then 10 sitting on duty in the passenger seat.

Had to drive through Washington DC and Balitimore at rush hour, of course I was never in the right gear or the correct lane but I finally told him to shut up, I only have a weeks experience and am doing my best.

He has seemed to mellow since then, lets me drive and learn by doing, helps when I get lost, or my focus wanes but is not reading traffic signs to me anymore or commenting on every shift.

Starting tomorrow we go team and he says he is comfortable enough to sleep while I am on the interstate. He still wants to get up when I exit or at shipper or receiver but that is okay with me.

Did some backing into docks and some blind sided backing, I figure if I try another couple of hundred of times I will be getting adequate at it (the blind side backing)

Shifting is improving and getting better with knowing proper shifting points for different loads. (have had 10,000 lbs up to 45,500 lbs)

All in all I am satisfied, I feel I am getting the training I expected and the driving time I need. My mentor has backed of some, allows me my space and time out of the truck and has cut down on his running commentary.

30 days to go, LOTS to learn but I am here for the long haul and willing to give it a fair chance.

Will update you all as I can

p.s. My mentor is not raf*** and for those wanting to know I am currently driving out of the lancaster TX terminal.

 

Third week, driving as a team now, mentor insists that we take all loads and do them RIGHT Now so he can get another load. Guess he wants that money for my driving. better now that he or me is asleep but when he is awake oh boy. First i dont hold the gear shift correctly, i use my hand, i am supposed to use only 3 fingers, i either turn my directionals on too soon, too late, leave them on too long or turn them off too soon.

EVERY thing out of his mouth starts out with a negative, he increases my stress by having bad comments about the road, the city, the toll booth, the other drivers etc. Of course dispatch is never right and routing is only a "guide" he KNOWS EVERY road, town, etc and his routes are best.

Sitting at a terminal now waiting for an empty and he has decided to circumvent the system and go find his own and tell them to attach it to us.

Yesterday was clean up day, had to remove all the carpeting, sweep and mop the floor, vacuum the carpet and upholstery, clean the doors,vinyl, windows, defrost the fridge etc. I feel like i am livining with my mother.

He still does not get out of the truck, pisses in a bottle and "freshens" up with baby wipes.

Got to go -- he is going to find a trailer.

 

He took a shower today! First one in 16 days! It might be because we are going to be close to his home tomorrow and he is going to stop and see his mommy.

Starting explaining how to read road signs and had to stop him and remind him I have been driving for 30 Years accident free, I know how to read a freakin road sign, read a map and drive in a city. He got pissy and would not talk for the next 5 hours, fine with me getting tired of his negative attitude about EVERYTHING and his constant cursing and racial slurs.

Got stopped today by DOT for a road side inspection, no problems, officer was very nice when he found out I just started driving 2 1/2 weeks ago.
When he first came to the truck, my mentor jumped up gave the officer his license and started blabbing about how was a "certified" mentor etc. The officer gave back his license and told him he did not want to hear it, I was driving and he would deal with me. Kind of pissed him off and later keep telling me what a di**head the cop was.

Next weekend I get 3 days off, he is going home to see his mommy for the holiday, it will be nice to get out of his truck and not have to smell his farts and burps, and listen to his endless chatter.

Will update you all next week