New Folks, Listen Up!

Discussion in 'Swift' started by Injun, Mar 1, 2011.

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  1. ECU51

    ECU51 Heavy Load Member

    Hey great post,,(And a even responce)Here at Conway,before the students are assigned to a 'Finisher" they use a compatability questionair to better place them with each other.And are given explicit instructions that if ANYTHING that you posted,do no hesitate to call training, hope all is well with you,,hows the Prostar holding up?,
     
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  3. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    Prostar is doing great. A little bit of maintenance and a new wiring harness bumped my fuel economy by almost a full mile per gallon. All parameters are set to factory spec and I don't care that it's speed governed to 68. It never sees 65 anyway.

    But that's a different topic for a different thread.

    Apparently, Conway has had some experience with trainer issues as well, or they wouldn't have to make policies like the one you outlined. No company can predict every problem. They can effectively react to it when they are notified of it.
     
  4. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    I guess I left a couple of details hanging from that initial post.

    The two guys who I stepped in to help.

    The first guy got a new mentor the day after getting off that first yayhoo's truck. He got along so well with his second mentor that he ended up getting hired on as a second seat team member. He remained there for several months and, when his codriver felt he had taught everything he could about running a business, encouraged the young man to step out on his own. He signed his own lease on a Volvo 780 and is making a success of it. Right now, he has his significant other on the truck with him, but has mentioned an interest in mentoring himself.

    The other guy is a company guy, has done quite well and is now a successful mentor himself.

    Speaking up will not hurt your career with Swift. It is someone who remains silent and has a bad experience who will be more likely to fail.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2011
  5. ECU51

    ECU51 Heavy Load Member

    We have 1 policy "a zero tolerance policy" on all you have noted,all know this upfront so they really never had those issues come up,Minor clash of personalities and such but those you outlined,well thats why I inquired,(yikes im still wondering how in the world roaches and MICE get into a truck)

    Btw 1 other question,,what is the actual minimum (time with company/miles/etc..) that you have to be at SWIFT to be able to "Mentor",,You have to be here at least 2 years,no service fails and excellant fuel mileage,they also want you to have at least 5 years actual driving time,but can be waived)
     
  6. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    Unfortunately, Swift allows drivers to mentor after only six months with a perfect record. I don't agree with it at all, so please don't clutter my thread or waste my time with editorial commentary about it.
     
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  7. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    SIX MONTHS?!!!

    Why so long......so many newbies know it all within 3 weeks of getting on the Mentor's truck....ahhhh set em loose before they get solo qualified.....that way they can find out just how much they don't know...real quick!

    What a waste of exuberance.......talk about money down the drain!!!!!:biggrin_25521:
     
    Fewe, Injun and inkeper Thank this.
  8. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    Heck, I'm not even a CDL holder yet and I already know it all. Guess that makes me ready for prime time! Ooops...Swift time! Gotta keep the competition in its own forum! :biggrin_25512:
     
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  9. Doublecutter

    Doublecutter Light Load Member

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    Injun, thanks for all your advice to newcomers, not only in this thread but also many others.
    I'm not sure if Swift is for me or not, but the advice you are offering can be helpful to any student/ trainer situation at any company.
    There are a couple things that I am apprehensive about when it comes to being with a trainer. I don't want to sound like a prima donor, but I would have a problem being with a trainer that never showered. I would also have a problem being forced to piss in bottles and cr** in plastic bags, and I would have a problem with my trainer doing it, even if he didn't force me to do it.
    My opinions may have been jaded by reading the threads in this forum about the non-cleanliness and poor personal hygeine habits of many truckers.
    Would these trainer habits be something that the DMs would consider as legitimate complaints?
     
  10. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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  11. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Your thread? You're just leasing it! :biggrin_25522:
     
    Injun Thanks this.
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