Newbie Heading Out Next Week!

I’m a new CDL holder! I finished school in April, passed my test and got my CDL. I chose Swift (I’m aware of all the jokes and I can take ‘em). Anyway, I’m heading out with my mentor on Monday. A little nervous, excited but nervous, particularly about my backing. Backing skills practice in school is kind of a joke. As you guys all know there’s a big difference between backing between cones on the ground in an empty lot and bumping a dock or backing between a couple rigs at a truck stop. I’d love any advice you might have for a newbie!

 

Thanks guys for all the sound advice. I’ll remember to put it all into practice. Definitely gonna invest a few bucks in a couple good lights.

It’s funny that Concorde mentioned rolling down the windows because the first time I backed by myself at school it was freaking pouring rain. My instructor was walking along side the truck guiding me and I couldn’t see a #### thing through the windows let alone the windows and mirrors. I cracked the window and started whining and making excuses for my piss poor job and he told me the same thing and it helped. Every since then rain or shine, warm or freezing the windows come down!

When it comes to being a Swifty it seems like a pretty decent starter company. After my research I discovered that all the companies that’ll hire newbies are pretty much all the same. I chose Swift because they have the most accounts and I figure that’ll mean they’ll keep me running the most. Also believe it or not the time training with the “mentor” was actually the longest (minimum 4 weeks) and that’s what I realize I’m gonna need. I’m in absolutely no hurry to get out on my own. I wanna take my time and make #### sure I’m confident and ready. The Swift recruiter was very honest about the training time and I appreciated that. The other company I seriously considered (Roehl) it felt like their recruiter was rushing me and just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. He was like “ training will be a couple weeks and you’ll get your own truck” as if it was just an afterthought. Immediate red flags were flying for me. So even though the cpm was a little higher with Roehl, I chose Swift. I tend to trust my gut when I make big decisions and my gut was telling me to play the long game, go with the best training program. What good is 2cpm more pay if they’re rushing me out there and I start tearing s$&t up because I’m not ready. My ultimate goal with any starter company is a good year or two without hitting anything then plenty a doors will open up for me to find the right place to finish out my last 15-18 years before I retire.

Now that doesn’t mean I don’t get a laugh out of all the Swift memes and acronyms lol! My wife is getting a kick out of em as well. She was sending me stuff while I was at orientation. My particular favorite is Swift…See What I F’up Today!

Thank you guys!