The start of my first year with Swift.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sheriff1/6, Jan 1, 2013.

  1. Sheriff1/6

    Sheriff1/6 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2012
    Boise, ID
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    Today I start the first day solo of my first year with Swift. If you've read my previous threads then you are pretty much up to date. If not here's a run down.

    I graduated from the Lewiston, Idaho Academy. Three days later I was in Orientation and a week after that I had a mentor. It took me 30 days to complete my training with the mentor and be cleared solo. During my training we were dispatched to just over 20,000 miles.

    After a few hiccups I was finally able to get my truck, a 2013 Volvo with 120k miles. I was lead to believe the truck had been left at the Boise drop yard and the driver left. After reading some of the past Qualcomm msgs. I'm not sure what to believe. Lets just say that I think there was a lack of communication and someone is going to be really mad on January 2nd, the time they set their PTA for. The truck was nearly out of DEF, very low on fuel, the alternator is covered in oil, and the batteries don't seem to hold a charge very well. There wasn't enough power to crank it over yesterday morning and it was 20 degrees. I hooked up a battery charger and it charged all day, I got the truck started, moved it and put the charger back on it overnight. We'll see what this morning brings.

    I accepted my first load and in a few hours I'll be leaving for Denver, hopefully via a terminal to get a bunch much needed supplies, and expired permits. I do have my 2013 IFTA stickers but at the current 8 degrees I'm not sure I want to try and put them on. I guess I'll have to play it by ear.

    There you have it. You're up to date. If you have any questions you can post them or PM me.
     
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  3. Palace37

    Palace37 Light Load Member

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    Dec 11, 2012
    New Jersey
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    Good luck Sheriff. Heading to Jonestown for orentation today.
     
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  4. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

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    And you think you're adequately trained>what a JOKE!
     
  5. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    If somebody isn't ready to solo after 2-4 weeks of training,

    they'll never be ready !!
     
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  6. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

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    Running 20,000 miles in a month isn't training, it's teaming!
     
  7. BossOutlaw88

    BossOutlaw88 Road Train Member

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    Stop hating on this man because he has a much better first truck than you. Lol!
     
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  8. Florida Playboy

    Florida Playboy Road Train Member

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    Florida
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    It is strange they ran them as a team the whole time because I thought Swift has a policy that the first week they are dispatched like a solo driver. To break in the trainee gently.
     
  9. Palace37

    Palace37 Light Load Member

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    Dec 11, 2012
    New Jersey
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    ralph if you don't have anything Encouraging to say go away we don't need your 2 cents of ########. Let me guess you got your CDL on your own 25 years ago with no training what so ever and were unleashed on the road with no clue of what you were doing and now 25 years later you have nothing better to do than bad mouth the newbies that are trying to make a living at a career where we now get training and guidance. And more rules to learn in a short time to be a safe and successful driver. So how about a little encouragement for us newbies instead of you bitter old man comments.:biggrin_25513::biggrin_25524::biggrin_25525::biggrin_25510:
     
  10. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    Good luck, Sheriff, keep the updates coming!
     
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  11. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Sioux City,ia
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    Welcome to trucking,start bugging you dispatcher nonstop to get you to the terminal so their shop can go over your trk.
     
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