Questions From New Drivers

"Excuse me but my recuiter told me otherwise"
I am shocked! Shocked I tell you.

 

An experienced driver would have that adjustable wrench, as well as a crowbar, bolt cutters and an assortment of basic tools for emergency situations. There's more to being a professional driver than just holding the wheel. It seems to me that you've had an abundance of problems already for a student driver. Also, if you have bulging neck and back discs, what make you think you'll be a good truck driver. Trucks don't come with elevators to climb up inside of them, and they do ride rough for someone with a bad back.
It sounds like maybe you over reached in your goals when you decided to be a truck driver. It sounds by your post that you'va had 3 jobs already, and you're still a student according to your stats.
Am I the only one who sees something amiss here?

 

He who was shocked was just trying to make a funny-sarcastic comment about your
"My recruiter told me otherwise" statement.
No one ever believes a recruiter... either military, business headhunters or trucking company recruiters.
Take care,
Mary

 

Drivers have to be self-sufficient, have super thick skin, be able to think fast and solve a variety of problems but when you're training you're learning and you can't be expected to know what to do unless someone shows you.

Regarding the shower time, I too would have drawn the line. I've had several debates on this forum regarding this topic but stand by my words. Drivers who don't take showers but once or twice a week are pigs, plain and simple. There is absolutely no reason for this disgusting behavior and they contribute to the poor image the world has of truck drivers. There are enough truck stops and showers on the road where one can attain a shower at the LEAST every other day. Even when I was otr I showered daily, no exceptions and this was back long before the proliferation of truck stops all over the Interstates. I remember many years ago in the '80s stopping along 40 and making my way down to the Colorado River to bathe. Once. That water was COLD!

 

And trucking companies that have recruiters are companies that seasoned veterans know not to bother with. They are experience gaining companies for the starters. Seasoned drivers also know not to park near the recruiting company trucks out on the road.

 

I was being honest too. You and /or your co-driver should have had an adjustable wrench to get the legs up. As you said, that's all it would have taken to solve the problem. Then you could take it to a repair shop to be fixed right.
A professional driver needs to know how to do emergency remedies on the road to get himself or herself moving again. It's just that simple. You said your co driver is experienced? I question the level of experience is all.
Also, why do you need your co drivers permission to take a shower? So, what you're saying is that for 6 days he never slept? You were never alone for that entire time to stop and shower? What are you, a puppet? I'm not saying for even a second that your co driver was right, only that if you are an adult, then you decide when you're going to take a shower, stop for dinner, or whatever else you need to do to make your life better, and being clean is better, for all of us.
I ran team for several years, and the one rule I always had is that when it is my time behind the wheel, then I am the one who decides when the truck stops for dinner and showers, if I need one. Usually, we took our showers and had our sit down meal during shift change, but sometimes you just feel like you want a shower, and if you are on duty, then it's your decision. Period.
And no, I'm not surprised. I've been reading these forums for 6 years now. These threads are stuffed full of newbie and student drivers that want to be in this industry with absolutely no idea of what it takes to be successful. And I'm not talking about the money.
I'm sorry for you that 2 weeks as a driver for Swift was the worst experience of your life. I honestly suggest to you with all respect that you re consider your choice of trucking as a career. If you do decide to remain as a trucker, then you need to step it up and change your attitude, or you'll never make it. My point is that if two weeks with Swift is the worst experience you've had before, I can tell you that you haven't seen anything yet. Boy are you in for a surprise down the road.
And if what I said offends you, then you need to turn around and look at what I'm saying from a different angle. Offending you was never my intention. Honesty is. I would be doing a dis-service to you and others if I were anything but honest. Isn't that why you're here to begin with?

 

He was kidding when he said hes shocked.You're still wet behind the ears when it comes to trucking.You're going to find out you can't have your cake and eat it too.You wasn't with any of those companies long enough to know what they're really like.4months with usx and 2 weeks with swiftSo you quit swift because your trainer wouldn't shower? Cmon,do you really think that's grounds to call this company bad and to quit?Trucking won't get any better to please you so I suggest finding a non trucking job..

 

Nope not at all.Many things are amiss here.Some ppl aren't cut out for trucking