Diary of a New Swift Driver

On November 1, 2011 I went to http://www.swifttruckingjobs.com/apply.php and filled out my online application. Within two hours I was contacted by a very friendly
recruiter (Melody Gonzalez). The quick response kind of surprised me.

Melody ask me to fill out the HireRight forms and sign them online. I did and then she ask me to take Swifts online study course. I completed that by Novemeber 3, 2011.

That same day, I got a spreadsheet with information about the San Antonio Acedmey. She said that I would be starting the academy on Novemeber 30, 2011.

On November 5, I sent Melody a question about having my driver permit ahead of time and she said I did not have to have it, that I would get that the 1st week of
training.

I started reading the forums and was concerned about a few things. My driving record is fairly clean. I had a speeding ticket a year ago for going 10 mph over the
speed limit. So I found out that was ok.

Next thing that concerned me was my blood pressure. I average 142/90, so I am borderline stage 1. I plan on going to my doctor on November 25 (5 days before
class I have an appointment) and talking to him on how to get my blood pressure done.

The next thing that I read a lot about was sleep apnea. I was told to bring my sleep study and machine so they could read the card. Hopefully that is not a
problem, I don't want to get sent home my 1st day of training.

I live in Marble Falls, Texas and San Antonio is about 150 miles away. Melody told me she would set up travel by bus a week before training class.

My goal in writing about my experiences is to help other new Swift drivers understand the process better and if I make mistakes help them avoid the mistake.

 

Yeah, I would take my car too, but me and my wife only have one car. I lost my job in 2008 and have not been able to find work. We lost our house, cars, ATV's, and had to go bankrupt thanks to this great economy. That is why I will be so thankful for a job in trucking. I looked around and it seems no matter what the economy there will always be a need for truck drivers.

My wife is on board with only seeing me once a month or so, heck we have been married for 25 years, so I guess a break will do us both good.

 

Good luck in San Antonio, hope I see you there. School always starts on Wed. there... Not sure why, but it does.

 

Yep, I am worried about having enough money to eat during training, that is how broke I am... Basically me and my wife lost it all. We live in an old travel trailer in Marble Falls. Life kind of sucks for us now, but it is looking up. She just got a new job at a convenience store and hopefully Swift wants me. That would be great, we lost everything, went bankrupt and have no bills right now. So earning money could let us buy a can of spam to eat.

 

Alex, Good luck. I am looking forward and very excited about starting my new career and it seems like you are also. Did you get assigned a mentor yet?