after orientation w/swift

I didn't have to do a pre trip when I finished out. I'm out of the phoenix terminal.

They take you around the block pretty much. Then you do a back. "GET OUT AND LOOK!!!!!!!!!" LoL..

That's the only thing they got me on during my road test. I still passed tho.

I'm still with Swift Almost 7 months later.

 

Thanks psychocreep. I do beleave I will be going to the Phoenix trminal too. Can you tell me a bit more about your exp. with Swift? Did you start with them as a student?
How are they treating you so far?

 

You said in your previous post you haved no recent experience. Safety will determine how much mentor time you need. Hopefully your recruiter is right. In my situation safety said you must have three months CDL experience in the last 12 months to have a max out of 14 days and no mentor if the road test is passed. My road test did not include a pretrip check because the tester asked me how long ago I drove a truck and I told him it was the previous week. We went for a short 5 mile drive and then he had me pull in to the stall (no backing since I had been driving). The other individual hadn't driven in a couple of years and had to do a pretrip, same "around the block" and had to back in. Sorry I cannot help you with a pretrip sheet. If you go to your Motor Vehicles office, they should have a CDL manual and it would include the pretrip.

 

Thanks PawPaw, That sounds right. I suspected that the recruiter didn't didn't tell the whole story. Also he is a third party recruiter and there job is to get butts in the door.
Now that brings to mind another question. Since there is the possibily that I don't require schooling, do they do road testing and truck assingments out of the Lathrop Ca. terminal? I am from the Sacramento area.

 

If they hold orientation there, then they would do the road test there. That is my understanding. Road test is usually done on he last day of orientation after drug screens come back. Truck assignment is done at the terminal but they may have to send you somewhere to recover a truck.

 

Swift has been awesome to me. I mean, Yeah, There are BAAAAD Days and there are great days. It's a Job.. Wait, Make that, CAREER!!!!

Swift isn't for every one, but if you come in with a great attitude and the willingness to learn and do your job. Wait, let me clarify this part. DO YOUR JOB THE RIGHT WAY!!!! you'll be fine.

Feel free to ask if you really want to know what I mean.

Yes and NO on the student part.

I didn't want to owe any company for my schooling so I went to A.I.T. in Phoenix. After school and after a month of PURE unadulterated Hell at Werner I signed on with Swift.

I was extremely fortunate to have a good Mentor here at Swift.

Swift isn't a bad company. It's the Jerk Offs the Give Swift a bad name.

Hope this somewhat helps, If not and you need/want more info I'll be more than happy to try and answer what I can.

Peace!

 

Hey Paw,

Did you ever make it back on with Swift???? I remember you saying you wanted to come back, just not sure if you did or not yet??

 

He's right swift does have it's up's and downs. The big problem is that we are so visible to the general public that everyone thinks that swift is a bad company. It's not. In my experience swift has been good to me. The bring problem is some of the office staff at certain terminals. That is where you run into alot of headaches.

 

Well I thought I might chime in here for a minute if you all dont mind
I am a few days into my 5th week on a mentors truck. There have been good days and bad days. there have been days where I wanted to strangle my mentor and days Ive wanted to hug the guy. lol.. So here goes

I had been out of a truck since Nov 2003. I went and took a refresher course of 15 hours driving time for my own peace of mind. as It turns out I really didnt need it to pass the Basic Road test at the Troutdale Oregon terminal. I was sent out with what is believed to be one of the more strict and demanding road test guys. He is known for Failing folks on their release to solo road tests. He got me in the truck and laid out the ground rules for the road test. then had me look for a place to back into on the yard. I found a spot, Lined up for my back... Started to back in then got out and looked at what I had started then decided I didnt like the setup and opted to drive around the yard again to set it up better. that lap paid off as my back was nice and easy this time. I got out and looked during my back in as was my practise back in 03. and I got in the hole with 1 pull forward just to get real straight. He said ok good Job lets head out. We did just that.. We went out on a drive around the area. I tried to make small talk as I was a little nervous.. I hate tests lol... He had me do all the normal road test things like turn here as he watched the curbs turn there as he watched me watching my mirrors. Go down this street. Asked me what that last sign was that we passed. The first was a clearance sign the second...welll thats the one I missed lol. It was Single lane one way traffic on bridge for Buses and Big Trucks. It was a narrow Bridge that I saw as a hazard and waited for other cars to come through then I went.. So even though I didnt see the sign I did what I should have done and saw the hazard and acted accordingly. We made it back to the yard and Parked. I was told that when he went in and handed in my check sheet that I got what was the closest thing he had for a compliment which was, "He did OK". LOL He was one of them Old School guys

Anyhow That was the last thing I really had to do at Orientation on day 3 which is a partial day as stated b4 in other posts.

So Just to clarify.... As of Mid November there were only 2 options if you had to go out with a trainer and those are you are either out for 14 days or 42 days... there is no more 1 week for some 3 for others. its 2 or 6 period.. Thats what they said at my Orientation...
Ok so at the end of this partial day everyone in the Orientation who was going out with a mentor was assigned a mentor and either met up with them at the terminal that day or were on a bus heading out to meet up with them elsewhere. I was on a bus to Lathrop... GAWD I hate Buses! So yuh

I have had a decent time with this Mentor. Over all not Horrible lol I could see how some might clash with my mentor and I could see how others could be best of friends with him as well.. I am indifferent as I just want to get through this and relearn what I need to and maybe learn something new as has been the case on several occasions.

Just re,member if you get out with a Mentor that you just dont click with... Dont let that destroy your time.. Just ask for a new Mentor. Talk to the guy or gal you have now and explain hey we just dont mesh so I would like someone else and that should be that... Be polite and Professional. All will be OK...

So back to the 42 days... I was out on my first trip with my Mentor for 2 weeks then he had scheduled time off for Thanks Giving. then he had a death in the family so we had a couple extra days off. then back out and We will or should be home for Christmas so he says... Either way is fine with me.. I Would have rather just done my 42 days straight but hey its all good.. Be Flexible. You will need this ability in this industry anyways... Start now

Well like I said I am a few days into week 5 when we go home for Xmas I will be short 6 or 7 days of my 42 so back out i will go

Oh BTW during your 42 days you will have 2 phone interviews with training folks who are overseeing your trainging from Memphis and you will do several interviews Via Company Email also. They will ask ya questions that you shold answer Honestly. When its time to do yours step out of the truck and put some distance between you and the truck so you can have a private conversation with this person so you feel as if you can speak freely and candidly.

Well Im in the middle I of a 34 reset so Im gonna go see what sort of Havoc I can cause at this Pilot... Be well Folks and Feel free to shoot me any questions you might have and I will do my best to be Forthcoming, Polite, Professional, Honest and Candid!

 

Hey that was some great info guys. I'm glad things are working out for you all.

Paw I printed the DMV pre-tip and I will re wite it in the actual oder that it needs to be. This will also give me study time as I write.

DirtDart and Psycho, did you have to do a pre-trip? Did any of you have to do an
in-cab pre-trip or brake test?

Have you had any trouble with payroll?