My journey

So I'm here at the hotel, and orientation starts in the morning. I'm excited to start and learn all about the company and to get out on the road. I, like others, have only gotten an offer from Swift. The experience I have was 12 years ago, and other companies either wanted recent graduates, or recent experience. It's fine with me. Driving with a mentor will do me good I'm sure. So my plan is to keep up with this thread and report as much as I can. I know there are similar threads, but another one couldn't hurt for newbies like me, and experienced drivers thinking about joining Swift. So here we go!!! I'll post tomorrow after day 1 of orientation.

 

So I'm sitting in a room with 25 other drivers waiting to do our drug screen. Not too personable so far, but it's a structured day I guess. I wish I knew we were doing this first thing cuz I don't have to go. Gonna be a long day!

 

At the Ocala FL terminal

 

So, day one of orientation is over. Overall it wasn't too bad. Started off with drug screening. Next, those who have had their CDL for over 90 days did a road test. I hadn't driven in a while, but as soon as I was rolling it all came back to me. test consisted of driving around the city for a few miles. It was no big deal. I guess they just make sure you actually can drive and shift before putting you with a mentor. No backing or anything, just driving forward. Then we had lunch from a Chinese joint which was ok. Then it was DOT physical time. They accept the one you have if it is current and from an approved doctor. Mine was five days old, but not approved. So, I had to do it again at their facility. No big deal. That was about it. The last two days of orientation are held here at the hotel to give us more room. Report tomorrow after day 2.

 

Day two of orientation was slow. Learning about Swift policies and practices. Learned we all may not be able to get a mentor out of our home terminal here in Ocala and will be shipped to Greer SC to be teamed with a mentor. Not too crazy about that but I guess it really doesn't matter where I leave from. It may cause confusion once I'm done with training and need to get back to Ocala to pick up my truck. I guess another bus ride will be taken. Anyway, tomorrow orientation will be over, and I will learn my fate. Keep ya posted.