A Swifty pulls a real Swift Move

So, some quick questions from someone who has two weeks left before they are off to training...

How often does it happen that you find you need to turn around and you end up in a situation whereby the parking lot, etc. is not big enough?

Is this a rare occurence?

Im guessing it must get more rare with experience and driving wisdom. Just curious as this is probably one of my bigger fears.

When I drove a smaller straight truck I had a "helper" who would jump out and help me with clearance issues, backing etc. That's obviously not going to happen with a solo driver. And I also wasn't pulling a trailer so I had it pretty easy most of the time.

So, say this driver from the video pulled into the bank parking lot (probably a bad idea to begin with but speaking hypothetically here) realized once he pulled in that there was no where to turn around. Would the best option be to jump out, check who is behind you, hit your 4 way flashers and horn and just back out?

Sorry for the ignorance but I'm just curious about these questions before I get into a situation. I'm guessing this may be covered during training and I'll probably see some examples when I'm out on the road with a mentor but I guess I can't wait to find out how this kind of plays out in real life.

 

If you can get into a place you can get out. It's not always as easy as pulling in but you -can- get out. In this case speed was clearly the defining factor. It's not rare that one finds themselves having to turn around at some point. If you're not sure about clearance get out and check ... every time. From the looks of the parking lot I'm guessing he could have turned around or backed out without hauling ##### through the drive-through portion that he demolished. The number one factor of all big truck accidents ... driving too fast for conditions. In this case it was speed AND carelessness.

 

Before I'd back out blindly and relying only on my 4-ways, I'd call the local police. Stay calm, be honest, and don't panic. Nothing you do will be the first time for it....it's been done a billion times before, and will be done more in the future.

Stay calm, and think it out.

 

Good idea. I was thinking about calling the police maybe in that situation to ask for a hand if, say, the traffic was constant and heavy out on the road and it was going to be very difficult to back out. Not sure how the police would respond to a request like that. I could see some cops back home in Jersey laughing at you as they hang up the phone but maybe in some friendlier police departments they would lend a hand. I would think as a cop it would be easier to direct a little traffic for a minute than have to come back and fill out an accident report.

Staying calm would be a must. And going slow. I don't understand why the driver in the video had to go so fast. It was like they were running from someone. Maybe from intelligence or common sense, who knows.

 

This is the way some of these guys drive in truck stops. I've seen a couple fly through the fuel island. Not caring if somebody was about to walk in front of the pump. They are not even Swift drivers either. Just clowns in big trucks.

You always want to make sure you can get out of a place before pulling in. This is also a good reason to learn how to back up good because sometimes you have to back it in to a place to make a turn around. It's better then getting in somewhere and you can't turn around in.

Experienced drivers miss their turns as well. When you do lot's of trip planning you can make up for that, but even then. You never know if that street you were going to take is under construction. Try to get lots of landmarks and directions from a person who works there and that might help you as well. But you are going to miss turns, and not know what you are heading into so as the driver said. Don't let your nerves get to you and panic, because then you do something crazy like the guy on the video did. Also make sure you know what type of city you are in. For example. If you are in the North East you have to watch out for low bridges and cities like Chicago. Now out in the country you probably don't have to worry about that, but be careful trying to turn in somebodies field, because you just might get stuck. Learned that the hard way.

You will catch on soon enough. Learn from your mistakes and it will make you a better driver. Also learn before that mistake causes damage to equipment and it will make you an even better driver and give you more job security. Good luck.

 

That is a Cascadia, which are generally reserved for mentors/teams.
Could have been a trainee driving while the mentor was asleep. If so, talk about a rude awaking - being bounced about like that.

Or maybe it was someone fed up with driving and simpy wanted to end his career with a little style and flare.

 

S.W.I.F.T. = Sure Wish I Finished Training
= See What I ***** up Today

 

Doc - I hope the directions from the Qualcomm changed for the better since I last drove for Swift. You have a customer number for each customer location, enter that into the Qualcomm and it gives you directions. The problem was that sometimes it will say a right or left incorrectly and get you all messed up. I have been in a few bad situations due to that. Just like mentioned before - keep your cool and your head straight. If need be, get help. Most of the time all I had to do was call the customer, or stop and ask directions if that didn't work. One time in Philly it sent me the wrong way off exit and after a turn under the highway there was a clearance that was too low (no sign before the turn) I was stuck (stopped before the bridge, not all swifties hit em lol) in the middle of the road with no way out on my own. I had to back up around the corner, and due to traffic I couldn't. Lucky for me another big truck came along and blocked the road and helped me out over the cb. A true professional driver, looking out and helping instead of rnning his mouth like too many out there do. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask. If you see someone that needs help, help if you can and need be. As far as the police, they will come out and direct traffic/ help a truck get situated. They might not be the most pleasant people about it, but we all make mistakes from time to time.
Also, get ready to hear a bunch of guys talk crap about being a Swift driver. Unfortunately some people have given Swift, and others, that type of reputation just like the guy in the video. Don't let it get to you. I turned off my radio a few times because I was tired of hearing it lol.
Good luck

 

That sounds like a tricky situation out there in Philly. There's some good ideas there. That's the kind of thing I fear the most but considering there is people to help out if need be that is good.

I remember when I drove a straight truck out in NYC and surrounding areas I would get somewhere in Brooklyn or whereever and I had no choice but to block the road. It seemed most cops were pretty understanding of the situation we as truckers making deliveries were in. I remember a time where a driver got real belligerent with me and my partner because we had to block the road for a few minutes and the cops were called. They came and sided with us. I didn't have to say anything. They almost took the guy away for disorderly conduct he was so pissed. Im guessing these situations are that much tougher with a rig and trailer. I'm really hoping I don't have a lot of NYC runs into the boroughs other than maybe Staten Island.

I dont care about other drivers giving some grief about driving for Swift. My skin is pretty thick and it don't bother me. I figure if I learn to drive well I can earn Swift a little more respect hopefully. If not, then so be it.