Starting academy 11/28 in Millington

Wow. The only post this guy makes is to complain about Swift's training...

 

Only has 1 post. And his first quote is a warning? Everyone listen to this guy he knows what is going on.

 

I was dropped off by my wife and Grandson in Memphis the day before my 49th birthday in January of '09. Started Millington on my my 49th bday after 30 years in the same industry. It was a shell shock to my system and I felt totally overwhelmed.

The instructors were great. Not all that personal but great. They treated me a bit different because I was older and I think they pitied my sudden career change.

I was rooming with guys half my age and at first I thought about using my bed sheet to make a quick exit off the balcony of the Admirality Inn. However, after a few days I was having a blast. I got along with the guys I roomed with. It was like camp to be honest. We were always laughing when we weren't studying or snoring. We are still friends to this day.

My backing sucked. Even though I passed my backing test at the end of week 2 my main instructor, Mike, took me aside and suggested I stay an extra week and it would pay huge dividends in my future. I needed extra backing help. I decided to take his advice and it really did pay off. It made backing MUCH easier to get those extra backs in and some individualized attention. I passed my CDL test first try and never had a backing accident while with Swift.

One bit of advice I would give is use the trailer that is parked next to the motel to aid you visually in your pre-trip inspection training. It helped me a bunch. Some people just memorized the pre-trip without actually learning what they are inspecting.

Have a good time at Millington. Enjoy it as much as you can. If this old poot can learn to drive a truck you can too!

 

Just like a lot of things in life and every other Job, it is what you make of it, attitude is everything, most of the negativity is laid down by people that dont want to take responsibility for thier own actions, and want to blame others for thier mistakes instead of owning up to them, yes truck companies pull some crappy stuff, as I learned the hard way back in 2001 with PAM, but I have always taken responsibility for the fact that I chose to walk away, instead of suffering on in an unsafe invironment..that choice, which has cost me 10 years of driving in the industry, was mine and mine only...returning to the industry, I now know what to expect..

 

Just because I am new to the site... don't give you cause to criticize me. I have over 35 years in the industry and I was a driver when you were still ####tin your pants.
Over 2 and a half million miles. Flatbed, Reefer, Tanker, Dry Van. When you have as many miles as I have and been everywhere I have, and hauled as many loads, then come look me up. Till then keep your flap shut and learn something. By the way, I owned my trucking company. Its companys like Swift that give the industry a bad image in the way they conduct business and treat their employees. You think a 4x4 is a pickup I suppose. You ever shift a four by four or a five and a four or Macks tri-plex? Pulled Rocky Mountain doubles and Triples, Hauled a load grossing 160 tons? I suppose not... your like the majority of drivers out there, quick to shoot off your mouth! Before you know what your talkin about.

 

Wow, and I thought I knew it all.. lol

Can't wait till I get million miles under my belt so I can walk tall in forums..

 

Rkd don't want to get in your business but I am just wondering why are your going to swift academy when the military GI bill will pay for your cdl at a cdl school, that way you don't be committed to swift for x amount of months

 

And you strutting your Olde Timey experience in a forum for new beginners is just wrong. Grow up, bro. Don't be throwing your "over 35 years in the industry" crap around like it holds some water or something. It's not "companys <sic> like Swift that give the industry a bad image." It's loud mouth former drivers like you, thinking the only good driver is one you say is good.

None of what you say means one bit to me. Not one bit. I have respect for drivers who command respect, whether they have 35 years or 35 minutes of experience. You do not command respect in any way and I have none for you or your brags. So please stop being so full of yourself and so "quick to short off your mouth," as you wrote. I don't know where it is, but please go where the braggarts live and leave these new driver forums alone. Clearly, you don't want to be here.

 

@4X4 I got my experience with swift and I and back YOUR truck in any space you can back it in. ( and I will put the title of my truck on that) so what are you saying, a lot of drivers start with swift, jb, schneider or another household name company then move on, so you can't be telling him where to go or where not to go, give him some information and he can make his decision.

My previous post I ask why is he goingto swift academy, the reason I ask is because I know the military will pay for his training and give him bah (basic allowance for housing) you get a pay check every month and they pay for your school.