newbie swift trainee

Discussion in 'Swift' started by jds8710, Feb 12, 2012.

  1. Traveler51

    Traveler51 Light Load Member

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    Nov 13, 2011
    Greensboro, NC
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    Oh well... I'm planning that after training and I go company solo, of bringing my wife and dog for the ride...
    I could have read that on an old website. A lot of companies have those still floating around.
     
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  3. JEGX

    JEGX Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2012
    Westover,Alabama
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    Has anybody done Swift orientation in Atlanta? I go the 7th unless theres an opening next week..
     
  4. Silvermitts

    Silvermitts Light Load Member

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    Apr 27, 2012
    Ga
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    Did mine there in early June .
     
  5. JEGX

    JEGX Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2012
    Westover,Alabama
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    How did ya like it? And how things goin for ya?
     
  6. NewbieRick

    NewbieRick Light Load Member

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    Jul 15, 2012
    Pacific, mo
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    Hmmm.. First.. People have to start somewhere. Secondly just because they cant write the english language, doesn't mean a thing. Look their above, you forgot a comma and created a run-on sentence. Does this mean you cannot write the english language? No.. Not at all. Thirdly, you say WRITE. It would actually be TYPING the english language. So before you start to criticise someone, check yourself bubba. Did you ever think of ethnicity? Maybe English isnt their 1st language? Hmmm
     
  7. Silvermitts

    Silvermitts Light Load Member

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    Apr 27, 2012
    Ga
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    It weren't bad.
    Here's a rundown .
    You share a room at the motel , so that part will depend on who you get .
    Note - Swift has a working relationship with them , act out of line ( noise hookers etc .
    and you will be sent home
    There is a wal mart and 2 fast food places right across the street & they do serve breakfast .
    ( cereal juice coffee ) . Van leaves on time .

    Orientation - Double check every piece of paper you fill out to make sure all the I's are dotted
    T's are crossed & boxes are checked or it WILL delay you getting into a truck with a mentor.
    Make sure you have all your documents , they should have e mailed you a list .

    Driving test - if you haven't driven in a while ( 3 months ? ) you have to take it .
    I didn't have to as I had just graduated from a CDL school .

    Physical - Unless it was from a Swift approved Dr.s office you will get another 1 .
    Standard stuff - Blood Pressure , heart rate , eye exam , poke here & there.
    DON'T smoke or drink coffee prior to it as it will make your heart rate high.

    Drug screen - Everyone does it.

    " Class time " - The guys try to keep it lively , talk n videos
    Bring a pen / pad .
    They do take a few short breaks during the day and provide lunch -
    Option A - chicken
    Option B - chicken
    Drinks - No , but there are machines .
    Friday - NO LUNCH , you should be done around noon.
    Depending on if you get " coded " ( all paperwork went thru without a hitch ) you will
    either have a mentor meet you there , get a bus to where he / she is or go home.
    Count on leaving and not coming home for 6 weeks & you won't be disappointed.
    They will put you up for the night if your mentor is late getting there .

    Pay - Nope. Doesn't start until after you've been " coded " (hired ) and are in a truck .
    Time goes in Wed. ( ? ) and you get paid the following Tuesday so plan accordingly.
    Payroll - People from Chase bank come in if you want to set up direct deposit thru them
    or you can use your own bank or have it deposited to your Comdata card .
    I went the Chase route and my 1st check was on it

    Mentors- I got along well with mine , but as each one is different one can only hope for a good fit.
    Note - If an " issue " does arise don't get dissuaded , get on the phone.

    On my own - Yep the 1st week had it's share of bumps in the road , no shortage of help thou.
    Now that I'm home I can get my stuff in the truck to make life a little easier , get some rest ,
    analyze what went wrong and where and hopefully go back out an hour ahead of the game .

    Note / tip - If you have the time on Friday see if you can sit in for the qualcom E - log class .
    It's not rocket science but the more you know about it before hitting the road the better off
    you'll be.

    Hope this post helps ya , if you have any questions ask away.
     
    Sincere1, TruckermanD, JEGX and 2 others Thank this.
  8. JEGX

    JEGX Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2012
    Westover,Alabama
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    Yes thank you,very helpful,I'm sure I will have more the closer time gets and my nerves start to pick up.
     
  9. bama07football

    bama07football Light Load Member

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    Mar 29, 2012
    everywhere but home
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    i went to the atlanta orientation in april....my advice is find a different company...25 cents a mile after your hired on....yea screw that...swift is the sewer of the industry for new drivers...almost everyone pays more and less crap to deal with...swift has the highest employee turnover rate in the industry....in 2011 it was 411%....that is insane...i went to atlanta and ended up telling them to go to hell and i went elsewhere and i am making #### good money...but do what is good for you
     
  10. Carson946

    Carson946 Light Load Member

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    Jul 26, 2012
    Arkansas Mountain View
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    What Is the paper work about? I just gave swift a call today, I need to do my app still, I have my CDL But no OTR. The lady ask me if I can pass a road test! I think I can, Yes its been two years sence I drove a bigrig. Now i've been on a FireDept for 5 years MOST of there trucks are 5 speed with a 2speed rearend! AirBrakes Ya must Double Clutch them or ya grind the gears. So I hope I can pass the Driving test! What happens if I don't pass it? Thanks
     
  11. Silvermitts

    Silvermitts Light Load Member

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    Apr 27, 2012
    Ga
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    1 - You waited till you were there to find out what the pay was ? ? ?
    Smart boy....
    2 - less crap " ... talk about getting specific.....
    3 - " high turnover rate " .... Gee , what a surprise , a trucking co. with a high turn over rate....
    EFFIN NAME ONE THAT WILL HIRE NEW DRIVERS THAT DON'T.
    4 - " went elsewhere " ... I googled that , got nodda . Is it like maybe in Canada ?

    BTW , the only " crap " I've dealt with so far has been brought upon by MYSELF.
    IE - filling out Macro's wrong , forgetting to do one , poor trip planning .
    And I might add any time I've had a problem I've had a ton of support from the peeps in the office.
    Seriously , if they didn't have gray hair they do now lol .

    Money - People do get raises , Wanna say after 90 days for the 1st one but I could be
    wrong so don't quote me on that .
     
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