Swift Training help

Thank you for the tips vickw, I'll put them to good use. Hopfully I'll get a dm with as much honesty as yourself. I'll be running out of New Boston Michigan, so if you have any other tips or info I'm all ears.

 

I personally know the New Boston terminal manager. Has a dry sense of humor. His name is Eric (public record). He is a good guy, he came from Lancaster a few years ago to that terminal. I highly recommend you meet him and introduce yourself. I know almost every driver by face, I dont always remember names, and I dont have a clue as to truck numbers. The drivers I know best just walk into my office and bs with me and the Fleet Manager and DM. There are two types of drivers (or people in life) that you remember. The top 10% and the bottom 10%. Not everyone will strive to be in the top 10%, and there is nothing wrong with that, just don't fall into the bottom 10%. Just remember, nothing is handed to you, but your success is fully in your hands. Best way to start is to be known, work hard, work smart (that does not mean creative logging, but working the system and yourself effeciantly). There will be up's and downs, just like any job. We expect some mess up's, its human nature, admit to it if you mess up. The blame game doesn't hold up. Dont forget, you hear it at truck stops, I hear it daily in so many creative ways that all it does now is make me irratable. If your bored sometime, read the book THE SECRET. Pretty interesting. I think there is a degree of truth to it. I am not one of those next best management book types. I like some idea's, but I prefer to be straight forward. You dont get praise for doing your job, you get praise for doing your job well. If you mess up, I dont kindly find a way to tell you that you screwed up, I tell you. It's done and over and I automatically assume you learned from the mistake and we move on. Ok starting to feel like I am typing a blog. It's been a log day. Take care, be proud of what you do, and do it good.

Wes

 

Thanks again vickw. I appreciate your time and honesty. This is the type of info I've been searching for.

 

Wes your right as a former mentor most of my trainees became homesick missing the family, activities with their friends, I admit I was one at one time. Some really did not understand the trucking "life style" (even had one who thought that OTR drivers should only work 9-5 and have weekends off). As for the turnover of my "students" half lasted more then a year a couple did not complete training.
Lets face it is really a matter of attitude if a driver has the right attitude they can survive being on the road, even with a "training company" like Swift. My time with Swift has it's ups and downs, but for the most part my time with Swift has been positive.
Currently for me I have been on LOA since December and was recently termed by the company, just received a release from my doctor, cleared by safety and now just waiting for recruiting to call me back. I am looking forward to return to Swift hopefully next week.

 

If you were termed within the last 30 days you can get reinstated, no recruiter or orientation needed. Just talk to your terminal. Good luck

Wes

 

Wes Thats what I thought I spoke with my former FM he told me to call recruiting. Spoke with them this afternoon, they said 48 hours and I should be back in the system? I'm going from local dedicated (rite aid) to otr maybe that is why I needed to speak to recruiting? I am aware of no orientation.

 

Vickw:

Can you point to a message on here that discribes the training that a trainee would get and how long it would take, etc.

If not, could you explain the above?

Thanks

t.

 

I am not to sure on the explain the above part, as far as what you are refering to. You can go to the Swift website and they have information on the schools, or the 6 week training. If you have questions after that let me know and I will try and answer them for you.

Wes

 

From a former manager of 35+ construction workers....EVERYONE....LISTEN TO THIS GUY!!!! You speak the truth Wes!
Get noticed by tryng to do the right things ALWAYS, and if you screw up, ADMIT IT!!! I had my manager look me square in the face, speachless because I admitted to making a mistake - he later said that he was dumbfounded because no one had ever been so honest with him (I was late to a meeting with the President of the company - I forgot about it and said so).
This is like any other industry...you get what you give and never forget that until you introduce yourself or shine as a good 'team member"; you are a competent associate and nothing else.
Thanks Wes for speaking the truth and I look forward to driving for you or other like minded managers!

 

I worked for swift in november 2008 outta new boston mi