New soon to be swift trainee!

Yes, the regional part was going well, I say well because Walmart got backed up just before thanksgiving holiday so I went to drive a few reefer loads for them. For thanksgiving I put that on hold for a load to Virginia to spend time with a friend of mine. Since then Ive been otr. I haven't really asked to go back regional ti be honest Im liking the 500-1000 mile runs off and on. I'll buckle down again soon, I've been taking it easier than I should not running as hard as when I first started.ive also run into tire problems, one week the left side steer tire was really worn and the coils were beginning to show while I was at a shipper, luckily I saw it while being loaded, I called on road and had them give me new tire.

A week or so after that the passenger side tire started doing the same thing so I took it to a terminal and wanted them to change it for me so I could get going. I was stacked with loads. Unfortunately they told me it was the tierod. It was bent somehow. Don't know so I spent a day at the terminal while they waited for the piece to get there the next day.

After it was fixed and I had new steer tires I was on my way, until the motor of my wipers stopped working while it was raining, I stopped at a sapp bro for them to fix, while I was unhooking the trailer to go into the shop, I locked the keys in the truck. (Noob me) had to get a locksmith to unlock the door, cost me 60 dollars. They fixed my wipers and I was on my way once again.

Im going home soon to take care of some
car things, just turned my car back in to the dealer, insurance and car note was being wasted, I wasn't driving the car. No biggie, other than that hometime is nonexistent, I find myself not wanting to go home. I call my family they are happy to hear from me when I do get the chance to call. My great grandmother says she is proud of me, I can't beat that.

Pay has been kind of low, but that's because I got lazy at the same time that the truck had issues, I'm ready and recharged for more otr after my simulator class tomorrow morning! Thanks for asking! I'll continue to post here as well. I'm reading O/O and L/O info thinking things through about that. Not making a move until after a solid year with swift. I love them. They aren't perfect but I'm happy here. 4 months in!! 8 to go for 1 year!

 

DO NOT L/O with Swift, Newtrucker. Just some sage advice. If you feel the need, save your money, buy your own (used) rig and have lots of cash set aside to be an O/O.....but please do not get sucked into the L/O game at Swift. Please. Don't do it.

 

Read through your post sounds like your doing good. I leave on Saturday start Monday, really excited wanna learn. This post is great for people that wanna go to Swift you explain real well. Good luck and be safe.

 

Thanks caxpt, I'm not deciding anything until I make a year, I've read how hard it is I am not thinking about it or taking the decision lightly. Whatever I do it's based off the understanding that I'll have a lump sum saved way before I even go look at any truck anywhere. I've been reading a post made by nightwind from 2007 and he covers everything. I never make a move unless I've researched it at least 6 months or so. I have 8 months left to decide. I'm in no rush, I like learning. Trucking is where I want to be until I'm no more. Thank you again very much for sound advice. I just want you to know I'm not just goin to jump in and listen to a one sided sales pitch of a recruiter I'm looking at it from all angles. Before I move towards anything I'm paying off all my bills and not creating more.

That's how it should be, if you can lower your home expenses and bills before you come out here do so. That way you aren't falling behind on bills if something was to happen that kept you and truck down for a few days.


Good luck 719mma, and thanks for reading. Appreciate it!

 

NT sounds like you got a plan ! My son has been with Swift for Two months ( NOV 1st ) and seems to like it, the only problem he has had is the point system if you go over the speed limit ( 1 mph ) . There is in the manual that talks about how/what they will do to a driver if he speeds ( 3 times ) but no words on , Points ? And nothing was talked about that ( points ) in orientation. ( 24 points ) He is now -8 in the hole ! and was put on 5 days off duty, which was the time he was coming home for Christmas any way ?? By his count he was losing a lot of points while driving with hes mentor ( two weeks ) And on top of that at the same time he was given a 2ct raise and has had a Bronze rating the hole time hes been there - ( LoL ) The dispatch has had him on a few wild chases for trailers, but we talked and he has come to the understanding that he gets paid by the mile and to just chill , drive , and turn up the radio. He turned down flat bed training for now to learn all he can and see what the road has to offer in a year. AND is holding off L/O !! But he likes what hes doing so far and will take off Friday, And plans to stay out a month 1/2 before coming home again. All you guys/girls be careful out there, news is talking about ANOTHER snow storm covering the same area as the last. GOD Bless . .......................................................................................

 

Thanks skip good luck to your son. The only thing I can think of is to tell him to watch his speed. Starts to beep at 67-68 and if he isn't careful he can get a speeding violation. 71 is a definite " you're in trouble" as you only get one if I remember correctly. Scary but the way to avoid the "charges" is to watch speed going down a hill or mountain. It should beep every time the accelerator is pressed down passed the 67-68 mark. Also the charge for speeding doesn't stick until after a minute. Just inform him to watch his speed and if he is past the 65 mark of his truck to take his foot off of the pedal and it should reset.

The more miles he gets the higher his status will be. Plantium is the highest. To get it he can't have any service failures at all even one and it's basically impossible to get it as my dm informed me. About the trailer hunt I know how he feels, I've been sent on quite a few of those fun times by the way advise him if he sees any messed up ones to report them so they can be repaired so as not to leave them for the next driver. It helps out a bunch. No one deserves a citation because of a damaged trailer. All out here to make money and provide for our families.

Thanks for the weather update will look up weather conditions for tomorrow.

 

Happy new year everyone, be safe!

 

At midnight I finished driving 623 miles from Cheyenne Wyoming to plainview Texas, only stopping for fuel in pueblo Colorado. I pushed myself really hard to get the load delivered by 00.01 this morning. Had one minute left on my 11 hour clock when I arrived. I will not pull it that close again. I say that because there are alot of variables that take place, traffic hold ups, weather conditions, terrain, all kinds of things. Not saying I won't ever run like that again, but not when a load is supposed to be delivered the same day. I did a lot of trip planning and counting my hours back to make sure I would make it and found I had four minutes to spare, by the time it was done that one minute was all I had left. Needless to say I'm tired lol. Made it to my final at 11:56pm cst. Doing a reset now.

Also, I've come to the decision to remain a company driver until 2 years are complete then look into getting my own truck. No need to rush paying for a truck right out the gate. I'm treated right by my dispatch leader and planner. I respect them they treat me better than I imagined reading all the things coming in. Keep it professional and they will too. I'm glad with where I am, I do not plan on hopping from swift any time soon. Maybe it's the retail job I've had for four years in me that helps but I'm really happy here. Just paying off all my bills and lowering them so I can start saving.

If you're new (like me) run with what they give you, drive safe, be aware of vehicles around you, take curves slowly, take your time on mountains, never let people around you pressure you to drive a certain way, study and always continue to learn, G.o.a.l when backing. (it's YOUR license, no one elses)
be a self starter, and plan, plan, plan your trips. What I started doing was when I get a load, I shave off 30 minutes and start 30 minutes to an hour earlier for the things listed above. That way I'm never late or I arrive 30-15 minutes early even if I'm delayed. Depending on traffic or time of day extend it to an hour and 30 minutes. It's worked for me so far. Be safe!

 

Glad you're doing well.

 

Wow, what a thread. I read the whole thing tonight from beginning to end since I have some time to kill.

Great thread NewTrucker. I really enjoyed reading it and felt like I was sitting right next to you throughout the whole experience. The more I read the more excited I get but I'm also getting nervous about starting this new chapter in my life. We have somewhat similar backgrounds in that my last "real" position was in retail as well. Glad to leave that part of my life behind me.

I'm leaving this Sunday for training in Idaho with Swift. I've been preparing for this for months. And now it's finally here.

I'm going to start a new thread with my experiences starting with Swift. It might be slightly redundant but I guess we all have different ways of looking at things so maybe it will add some to what you posted here.

In the meantime I'll be watching your thread along with Sheriff's (another Swift newbee that just started driving solo) thread.
Really enjoying your updates. Please keep it up. Take care and keep being safe.