Swift sets up new drivers for failure!!!!!

One of the biggest things I see is lack of training in time management and trip planning. I can see that this is one of the most important aspects and I start CDL school tomorrow. However, I do also see it as being something I need to take the initiative and research and ask questions myself. I'm not getting into this with delusions of grandeur, but I am informed and also able to make my own decisions. ######## has never gotten anyone anywhere.

 

Very true. You have to think it through. Where and when to take a break, fuel, park etc. its not just jump in and go! Its about planning and timing or dispatch will soon decide your career's fate for you.

 

Stop Whining, I'm ####### Trying....

 

Still Wishes It's Faster Though

 

Its less stress, sit back and hardly have to pass, hell I slow down more instead of passing when that situation comes up and the driver is being consistent with their speed, not many have the patience to do this. No joke but lately it seems more and more companies are slowing down, I am actually passing more large companies lately. When I drove faster trucks I was always catching someone and getting stuck behind traffic all the time it felt like. I tell many super truckers I'll be at the truck stop before them at the end of the day and that comment is correct many times. Only part that sucks is all the too close lane changes in front of my truck after a pass.

 

You don't really learn that in school. You learn that when you're out with your trainer. Even if they don't teach you that directly and they should, you'll pick it up as long as you pay attention.

 

That is spot on... the trainers are only supposed to teach you the basics.. when you are out on your own you will learn and develop skills and better understanding...
Maybe it is a sink or swim situation... but, that is truck driving.. you will be thrown I to un familiar situations and have to figure it out for yourself... figuring it out may mean humbling yourself and asking for help from someone with more knowledge or experience in the situation your currently in..

It is always a bit exciting as well as scary when you are first on your own.. now you are the one making the calls and bear the weight of it....

A lot of newbies cant handle the stress of being on their own.. or they make some iffh decisions and get themselves j. Trouble... why do you think there is such a high wash out rate.. maybe one or two from a class of ten make it througb the firrst 6 months..

I have met many swift drivers who are happy witb swift and the training tbey got....

It takes time, miles and many different experiences to learn to drive.. even experienced drivers know there is still more they can learn.. the difference is they accept the challenge and dont look for excuses...

 

I had worked for Swift for a while and since being around trucking companies in the past this is what I can tell you.

Many of their trainers do not have enough time in the field to be a trainer, the one I was with did not know what a clutch brake was, ran out of fuel up in N.Y. state and did not know why a trailer was not tracking straight.

For the guys starting out, your best bet is to talk to as many of the seasoned drivers as much as possible.

I will say that I did better than others there because I was around trucking before, if there was a light out I would fix it, if the trailer brakes were out of adjustment then I would adjust them. etc

 

Welcome to the word of trucking pal! Sounds more like you wasn't paying action to your trainers in school or your OTR trainer and probably backed into something because you though you were a super trucker and didn't need any help! People ##### and whine about Swift and CR England as being crappy places to work and I can say this much, my OTR trainer showed me everything I needed to know and a few old school tricks of the trade as well, I have been driving for CRE for over a year now and I normally get home within a couple weeks when I request home time, I have never been stuck sitting around waiting for a assignment and have only had to sit over the weekend a couple of times because the shipper/ receiver thought it was a good idea to close for the weekend and my buddy who drives for Swift has had pretty much the same experience with Swift as I have had with CRE

 

Wait, wait, wait. You've been driving for 29 years and had to have OTR training with CR England? And you also had to be taught old school trucks? Hahaha