Don't Train With SWIFT!!!!!!!

You drive local down that way Rocket?

 

I do for a couple years then get to missing the road for some weird reason and I either go back to hauling cows or low boy. Pulling lowboy now. Been looking at Mercer for a while thinking bout them.

 

I hear ya...I took off 25 years and am just getting back into it. Sure are a lot of changes. A lot more electronics...cell phones, GPS, qualcomms...it's kind of mind boggling and overwhelming to me. That GPS business is nice I suppose, but I still prefer studying maps.

 

Yeah I haul equipment for the railroad and that's the question I get from every foreman I haul to if I have a GPS I do on my phone and it's handy I guess but I'm like you I prefer the map and good directions. Luckily I don't have to mess with Qualcomm's or elogs or any of that stuff I figure when I finally get cornered into that stuff I'll have to do local only. I'd hate to be 20 min from the house and a computer tell me it's time to go to bed for 10 hrs

 

I prefer to drive in the Midwest. Don't really care for East or West coast, but I have to run to Fresno for produce quite a bit right now. I'm driving for a less than popular company just trying to pay off my schooling then I'll be moving on. I just try to mind my own business, be a good courteous driver you know. I try not to bash other drivers and if I can lend a hand I will. I drove a lot in the mid 80's, seems like times were a lot different back then. Drivers would help each other out a lot more back then...now it seems many have a "every man for themselves" attitude. Right now I'm just trying to turn and burn as much as I can to get this debt off my back then I'd like to find a smaller company where you're not treated so much like a number.

 

Touché. Good advice for pretty much any new driver in that video though.

 

Anybody else notice that he mentioned that he hit the trailer that was in front of him? How do you have an excuse for that and how do you blame the trainer for something that should be easily visible from the truck.

 

I had a kick ### trainer when I was with swift. You get what you take out of it.

My trainer didnt want me to do any part of driving I didnt feel safe doing and told me to tell him if it was the case and neither he or swift would be mad. "Its better to get a load delivered later and in once piece than late and scattered across a highway". Same thing with backing. He would take me to terminals and let me practice there.

The company itself has a pretty good program, as long as you get someone who actually trains and teaches you.

 

Sounds just like a lot of these other companies, they let guys "train" that are still learning themselves. Two inexperienced hands doesn't equal an experienced hand. Keeps the mechanics and body shops in business I guess

 

ok buddy first off...fault rests not with the company but the trainer as soon as you jacked up the door he knew now i can make money and not have to train or split miles ....ur taught nothing about watching for the doors in schools and trainers know this so if they let you back while they watch never trust them 100 percent with your livelihood and if you hit somthing make sure you follow it with the trainers face...but... dont feel bad here is what you do tis the season my merry friend go get on some ag you'll get big money for at least the next three months and that will get you maxxed on unemployment so if there is not an ag job after that (which there is maybe rice) then u can chill @ home take your time and find a good company also you normally get a bonus for being safe and they drive brand new trucks so be safe use what you've learned get all endorsements u can o and with dbls and triples there is really no backing or very careful 3-5 feet after they sign you off finishing the season you'll have a job for next year and a safety bonus to show future companies it was a bad trainer not a bad driver