Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Starting Orientation in Phoenix

Discussion in 'Swift' started by Kamkor, Jan 18, 2012.

  1. Jan 18, 2012 #1
    Kamkor

    Kamkor Road Train Member

    3,324
    3,570
    Jan 18, 2012
    Wellington, TX
    0
    Looks like I got a date. January 23rd (next Monday) for orientation. I already had my CDL, been doing local beverage delivery for 6 months before coming out to Arizona.

    Ive been lurking the last...month or so reading everything I can about a bunch of different carriers and settled on Swift, I have some in-law family that has driven/is driving with Swift who recommended me.

    Couple of questions before I start this journey into OTR...

    What all SHOULD I take to Phoenix? Ive read other posts about taking my DD214 for a "Pleasant surprise" just wondering what that surprise is before I take it with me.

    What should I expect as just someone going through Orientation not going through driver training?

    And finally, I'm thinking about doing flatbed. Would I tell them that when I get there, and I read that the wait time on a mentor is a while, do they let you go home and wait?

    Any info would be appreciated, and I do plan (Key word there heh) on keeping yall updated on my little journey here...
     
    Kamkor, Jan 18, 2012
    Kamkor, Jan 18, 2012
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jan 19, 2012 #2
    Criss_crssd

    Criss_crssd Bobtail Member

    36
    22
    Apr 12, 2011
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    As far as the flatbed, tell them right away. Once the three day orientation is done, flatbed drivers do 2 additional days of tie-down classes. They will let you go home if no mentors available
     
    Criss_crssd, Jan 19, 2012
    Criss_crssd, Jan 19, 2012
    #2
  4. Jan 21, 2012 #3
    blsqueak

    blsqueak Road Train Member

    3,988
    3,284
    Dec 27, 2009
    buckeye lake, oh
    0
    They are hurting for Flatbed drivers right Now. When I was there last Monday they had trucks ready to go. The guy was saying that what they are doing now is sending the new Flatbed drivers out hauling vans until they have the class available and ready to bring you in. then change over to Flatbed
     
    blsqueak, Jan 21, 2012
    blsqueak, Jan 21, 2012
    #3
  5. Jan 21, 2012 #4
    Zukimart

    Zukimart Medium Load Member

    401
    183
    Nov 12, 2011
    OTR - 48
    0
    They still giving new flatbed drivers new trucks?
    That was a huge selling point for them back whhen I was in orientation. Lots of guys jumped into it, yet went box as there were no mentors available for 3-4 weeks.

    I didn't go FB as I didn't think my old fat ### could hack all that extra work.. lol
     
    Zukimart, Jan 21, 2012
    Zukimart, Jan 21, 2012
    #4
  7. Jan 21, 2012 #5
    blsqueak

    blsqueak Road Train Member

    3,988
    3,284
    Dec 27, 2009
    buckeye lake, oh
    0
    When I was there, they were assigning 09's
     
    blsqueak, Jan 21, 2012
    blsqueak, Jan 21, 2012
    #5
  8. Jan 21, 2012 #6
    Kamkor

    Kamkor Road Train Member

    3,324
    3,570
    Jan 18, 2012
    Wellington, TX
    0
    So if I tell them on Monday I want to do flatbed, I could run the risk of being down 3-4 weeks waiting on a flatbed mentor?
     
    Kamkor, Jan 21, 2012
    Kamkor, Jan 21, 2012
    #6
  9. Jan 21, 2012 #7
    Zukimart

    Zukimart Medium Load Member

    401
    183
    Nov 12, 2011
    OTR - 48
    0
    Probably not.. that was awhile ago when I went thru. Im sure there are mentors available now, but id ask and try n get one fast.
     
    Zukimart, Jan 21, 2012
    Zukimart, Jan 21, 2012
    #7
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.