Starting Orientation at Troutdale

Discussion in 'Swift' started by YodaPagoda, May 13, 2015.

  1. YodaPagoda

    YodaPagoda Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2015
    Dagobah (Portland, OR)
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    Howdy folks, I'm scheduled for an orientation on Tuesday May 19th at the Troutdale terminal. I'm an experienced former Pumpkin driver, but I don't have any verifiable in the past 10 years because I drove overseas on a Middle Eastern military base, so I'll be going out with a mentor. Anyone gone through Troutdale for orientation? I live in Portland so I won't be staying at the hotel, just hope my skills aren't rusty!
     
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  3. Western Sky

    Western Sky Light Load Member

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    Feb 2, 2012
    Oregon
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    Went through orientation there about 3 years ago. I believe it's in a different terminal now. If it's the same guy, Mike, he's a good guy. I think he does stand-up comedy in his free time, and loves to talk about poker. Basically same old boring orientation stuff, but it's well run and thorough. If you can, see if mentor Lauren is available, 20+ years experience and very laid back.
     
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  4. YodaPagoda

    YodaPagoda Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2015
    Dagobah (Portland, OR)
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    Sounds great! Hope things go well enough, and that the mentor I have know what they're doing. The recruiter was saying that mentor assignment is pretty random.
     
  5. inkeper

    inkeper Road Train Member

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    Jan 30, 2011
    Texas
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    Usually it is random, but you can ask anyway...the worst they can say is no. Good luck and welcome!
     
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  6. YodaPagoda

    YodaPagoda Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2015
    Dagobah (Portland, OR)
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    When I trained with Schneider, my "Training Engineer" definitely got me trained up, but he had annoying habits not unlike John Candy's character in "Trains, Planes and Automobiles."
    @inkeper You're right, can't hurt to ask!
     
  7. Kry0n

    Kry0n Light Load Member

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    Mar 22, 2015
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    Good Luck.. Hope the Swift Gods do you well with getting a good Mentor. My first one was really... what's the word... Nasty I would say.

    Thanks for stopping by my thread also, appreciate your info. Look forward to seeing your progress with Swift.

    Why didn't you go back to Schneider? just curious.
     
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  8. YodaPagoda

    YodaPagoda Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2015
    Dagobah (Portland, OR)
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    Because I got injured pretty bad, was sliding tandems (they were ancient!) and the spring mechanism yanked back on my arm. Couldn't use my right hand for a year and a half! Needless to say, my nerves regrew, and I got a settlement through Workers Comp.
    I really don't have any bad words for Schneider, I wasn't dedicated, but for about 3 months, I had runs to and from California and was home on every Friday night during that time. Good miles too!
     
  9. Iceman1984

    Iceman1984 Light Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2013
    Wilmington, NC
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    Hahahaha! I LOVE that movie...soooo, my question is...did you ever wake up with his hand between two 'pillows'??
     
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  10. YodaPagoda

    YodaPagoda Bobtail Member

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    1
    May 13, 2015
    Dagobah (Portland, OR)
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    No, but he used both towels in the room for himself! I had a small one and felt just like Steve Martin's character! I googled my trainer to see if he'd keeled over (wasn't a buffet he didn't love), turns out he lost 200 lbs and lectures truck drivers about nutrition now!
     
  11. Iceman1984

    Iceman1984 Light Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2013
    Wilmington, NC
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    No way! That's pretty cool.

    lol, that's a great scene.
     
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