New soon to be swift trainee!

That's great bori07, sad to hear about the 5 people, did they not pass drug screen, or missing paperwork?

I'm liking the driving so far Katk so far we've driven from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, Idaho, Missouri, Washington, Colorad, can't remember if we've passed through anywhere else I'll have to look at the map to make sure. These mountains are nerve racking. Not something I want to get used to to be honest. I like flat grounds lol. In my second week with my mentor, semi teaming, having hit anything( knock on wood) I've definitely become more of a praying man cause some drivers are not courteous directed at 18 wheelers. I can deal with that though I just give them their space. Safety for sure is the key out here. I love it seeing all the different things and sights, I truly understand why people like local now. I'm in Washington now on my way to rapid city tomorrow morning. I'll keep posting when I have time! Thanks

 

Just drove 10+ hours, 548 miles from Washington through Idaho almost to Montana. I mostly did Mountians today. I'm getting a little better at it. I just don't like looking at that drop, being from Louisiana. Haha hope everyone is doing well!

 

@commanderusmc. Thanks for your comment and yes so far it's a great doorway into a trucking career. Yes every company has its irks but if you truly want to get a foot in the door everyone starts at the bottom. It's worth it because by the time you have a year or two experience, you'll be glad you had taken the step.

The backing was difficult for me because I kept over correcting. If you know backing is slow and steady you'll be fine. When I would back at the academy my main error was when I would try to correct something that had already passed. What I mean is if I had a bend I would try to correct while moving. I would mess up or miss it every time because I didn't take the time to stop and turn the wheel where I needed it to be at that exact point. Once you get it it'll be hard to forget. You do fine especially going to Arizona because that is where swift is headquartered. So their lessons has to be in tip top condition. I've trained in frieght liners, volvos, and columbias. That's what we are driving now a columbia. It's an 8 speed. It may or may not be different when you attend. Don't be stressed out its the instructors job to train people without prior knowledge of 18 wheelers. I didn't have any experience lol.

That brings me to paperwork. Especially especially especially at Arizona make sure you have all you need between now and September, respectfully grill your recruiter, read about others preparing for academy and even if you act like its a job that takes top secret clearance( being marine, always a marine and thanks for your service!) you remember all the paperwork and seriousness of having this or that it's the same kinda. Make sure you have the original copy of your birth certificate, and social security card that's not laminated, your cdl permit of course,( also make sure you have all required test for the academy) had some students who in Texas could get their permit with just taking general knowledge. They had no idea they had to take 4 more test. Sadly they were sent home. Make sure you have your drivers license, list all employers over the last 10 years and any tickets or accidents if any. As well as have any of your medical issues taken care of if any. Your passport may come in handy, would have to asks your recruiter. Every bit helps in my eyes. I'm glad you have until next month to attend because you are at the advantage of preparing and doing it right the first time around. Make sure you study, read about techniques for backing, and the Qualcomm. It's isn't hard but it does require thinking and math. If you never read a map, study that as well. Yeah we have navigation but we definitely read that map as well. Also read about log books and the clocks we work with. Everything you'll be taught at the academy but it's best to know these things before because it'll be way way easier for you.


About pay its pretty low of course with me just starting. 450.00 the first 4 weeks and if needed 500.00 5th and 6th week. Now mind you that is without taxes taken out. Save what you can before you attend academy if you are in a position to do so. Way way easier and less stress never needing what you really need or want while training. We are about to take a few days off, my mentor is having home time next week, thing I've learned most is watch your mirrors, stay in your lane, and while backing, main thing is don't hit nothing. People so far in my experience don't care as much as they did about swift trucks, if I'm going 62 (65 on mentor truck) mph or so they just go around me. No biggie, I'm still alive, no skin off my teeth who has a faster truck. Now we do not have a cb, so that may be why I'm having a good experience with other drivers. My mentor says as long as you're safe and don't hit anything and make it to where you're going let them do what they going to do and be about your way. I totally agree. I have family, I'm sure you do as well, doing this for myself and my family. Anything and anybody else can kindly keep trucking.

If I missed anything I'm sorry I'll take the time to read over everything again in the hotel. Again thanks for your service. Trucking is way more than even I expected and I researched for two months before going to academy, with military background you should be just fine, you need a lot alot of discipline. stay safe and comment or message me anytime!

 

P.s. @commander, I just thought about Arizona, you may not need your permit before attending. You may get it there at the academy. If so please make sure to study because the day you start you'll go for your physical, drug screen and test. There will not be anytime to study then. Basically it's about being the best and as much as humanly prepared as possible. Good luck and again message me or comment anytime.

@Katk lol. I saw Bambi outside of a shipper my third day, wanted to take a picture but my mentor said he (Bambi) would beat me up so he kept going. I drove 642 miles today. We are in kansas city now. My mentor got this truck at 20 miles on it, picked me up with 200ish now it's at 11000. Been with him since August 4th if I'm not mistaken. We have run into a few snags but we are still going and nothing that'll make me regret my decision. So far so good! Being safe I think about everyday and every time it's my turn to drive. I don't take it lightly being behind the wheel. Like they say I'm driving for everyone around me plus the rig itself.

 

Youre welcome Commander!

I have been in this hotel since Saturday, mostly catching up on sleep. I found out that our next load has already been picked up by my mentor and we are going to head out tonight/early morning to Wyoming again. It was good to have a few days off in the hotel to be honest, got to recharge my batteries. Now looking forward to the trip. Going to watch a few movies and get some more sleep. I hope everyone is doing well and being safe!!

 

Thanks Capxt, I was planning on working out when I go solo, more time to stop and rest instead of truck moving 24/7. I definitely want to stay in shape out here.

When I was in the mountains my tooth started to hurt. I've had problems with it before but not like this. Yesterday it hurt really bad and my mentor advised me to go to the dentist, being from Louisiana and not knowing the area I was hesitate to look for a place. Well it bit me. Today I woke up with it swollen and infected. Mentor worked it out for me to go to a place here while he sat at the Lancaster terminal. I went and because it was so swollen, I couldn't get it pulled, it hurt like heck when he even touched the tooth and he just was touching not even attempting to pull it out. So now I have an appointment next week to get it pulled. Word of advice if you have any toothaches get it taken care of immediately. Take care of yourself out here. I've learned my lesson spent 150.00 dollars for a tooth pull and it was a fail. Hopefully next week it'll work. Stay safe everyone!