I can't wait to work for Swift...

18wheeldumptrucker · Aug 4, 2008

GuysLady (Weather Lady) said: ↑

Three weeks is not enough. One of my hubby's former employers was training me for my CDL, and let me tell you the man was thorough! Once I got my permit, he spent nearly two weeks with me going over how to do paperwork, before he even allowed me to get in the driver's seat! And then he made sure I could drive in the most crowded conditions before he would allow me to try anything else! I had to be able to move that truck around in some of the most cramped quarters imaginable... just on his yard, he'd deliberately set up situations that would make a seasoned vet cringe!

I never finished my CDL, but that's another story... but even today, I can do tricks with that truck that make other's wonder how in Hell I did that!
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That is the way it should be done. Get the hard stuff out of the way, and the rest is cake. I wish that I would 've learned that way. Don't get me wrong, I've never had an at fault accident in a big truck, but my confidence level as a newbie would have been alot higher.

GuysLady · Aug 4, 2008

Because of that man making me so NUTS.. I honestly feel that I CAN handle that truck in nearly any situation... it might get a little hairy, but I can come out okay...

Trucker Lady 76 · Mar 15, 2012

I've trained with Werner, Schneider and Swift. They all do pretty much the same thing as far as their training goes. So with that said Swift is not doing anything better or worse than any other trucking company.

Samantha82580 said: ↑

I'm probably treading in thin waters here but here goes.....

My hubby recently returned from Phoenix for the Swift training center, came back with a week off and went to Atlanta for orientation, he has now been with his mentor for 3 weeks. He says he had a blast out there and everyone was nice. He also *noted* that he did have a good group of instructors there, his recruiter was awesome and his mentor is great. With saying that he also mentioned that there was people passing that should have never made it.

Things that really disturb me that I have found doing research and him telling me himself...... first and foremost, I DONT THINK 3 WEEKS TRAINING IS ENOUGH TIME TO KNOW RULES AND REGS MUCH LESS THE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF TRUCK DRIVING especially to have your CDLs in that short time. Everything will be thrown at you.....its up to you to study and know your 7 step and your pre trip inspections. Check out your agenda for those 3-4 weeks.....its all backing, you have very little road training.....that isn't right, when you are driving a truck you hold so many lives in your hand. (and by the way, most times its you, the instructor and 2 -3 others, so you don't get one-on-one) You need to know what you are doing when they throw you out there. When you go out for your 6 weeks with a mentor, you will be *team* driving after 2 weeks!!! TEAM DRIVING.....this means you will be driving under your own supervision while your mentor is asleep. You have really had 2 weeks of *feel* for the road, no one needs to jump this fast in a truck. In my opinion, their training is very dangerous and therefore is why you see many Swift trucks in accidents.

As far as passing, don't worry about it, you will pass....everyone did, even the guy that went down the mountain in 10th gear! They will keep sending you back to the MVD until you complete it. When you come back for orientation, you will go for federal background screening.....a guy that went through training phase, had a incident on MVR that wasnt pulled up prior....THANK GOODNESS, he was able to get it resolved or he would have been *stuck* with the tuition. Im sure they stick a lot of people with that, go through training then find "something" in a background check and they GOTCHA because you already signed the agreement.

I do have to say though, yes they have been great to him SO FAR. His recruitor looked him up the first day to make sure he got there, all of his instructors were wonderful, his classmates were great (they treated me as their family when we would talk on the phone), all of the people throughout the orientation were great and quick to help him and his mentor is wonderful, we really couldnt ask for a better one.

ALSO, REMEMBER, TRUCKING IS NEVER JUST A JOB! EITHER YOU LOVE IT OR HATE IT, EITHER WAY YOU WILL COME OUT FOR A GREATER RESPECT FOR IT AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THOSE WHEELS. TRUCKING IS ONE OF THOSE JOBS THAT YOU HAVE TO LOVE TO BE ABLE DO IT. *****When you think you know everything there is about truck driving, its time to hang it up or your last trip will be in a pine box*****

Its an easy way to make money and see the country but it's a lonely road out there. I wish you the very best in whatever/whoever you choose to drive for and I will honestly answer any questions that you have.

I can say that I know a decent amount of what goes on behind truck driving because I'm the grand daughter and biological daughter to truckers/ diesel mechanics and the daughter (step daughter) and wifey to truck drivers. (((RIP Boogie Woogie, #1 Ga Moon Shiner and Slow Poke)))

Nuff said
~Samantha~
aka Fred
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windsmith · Mar 15, 2012

Another zombie thread brought back to life!

Peterbeatinit · Mar 15, 2012

windsmith said: ↑

Another zombie thread brought back to life!
Click to expand...

Get the holy water and the wooden stake...I'll get the rope.

Petey

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