Starting swift nov. 3rd

Along with the suggestions I made earlier, there are a couple of threads that contain advice for new drivers that might help you out too.

You will need documents like your birth certificate probably. I'm racking my brain trying to remember what my hubby needed besides the stuff I already mentioned when he started driving. I trained with Swift, but that was too long ago to remember! It was back in 1999.

As I mentioned, a good attitude will help you out a great deal. You are entering an industry that does not really keep a regular schedule, so be prepared to be sleeping at odd hours and driving at odd hours. You will be dealing with traffic, loading docks, dispatchers, and people at truck stops. You will have some adapting to do. Make sure you get the hang of logging while you are with your trainer, along with trip planning. Those two things are very important. Good trip planning will make or break you as a driver. Get the hang of good trip planning so you can avoid being late to pick ups and drops.

Your trainer will probably have you drive some right away to get a feel for where you are at, so that they know what they really need to work with you the most on. Hopefully, your trainer will ask you about things that you consider your weak areas. Hopefully, you trainer will aslo have you doing a lot of the backing, as that is usually the thing that needs the most practice, and is the hardest to get the hang of. That's about all I can think of for now.

 

There is a sticky at the top of the New Drivers section with a packing list for students, not to mention dozens of other threads asking the same things. Try searching around a bit. Clothes, toiletries, medications, sleeping bag and pillow; common sense stuff. Keep Winter in mind and pack smart so you aren't freezing when you get out of the truck and aren't burning up when you are in it. All companies want the same things: Drivers license, social security card, birth certificate, passport (if you have one). I'd bring a decent flashlight and invest in one of the laminated motor carrier atlases too. The spiral spine on them makes it easier to use than the basic one most companies will issue.

 

Thanks Dr. V! You mentioned quite a few things I forgot. My brain is just not working today!

 

An inexpensive safety vest doesn't hurt either. You'd be surprised how many places want you to wear them. Most will have them for you to borrow, but imagine who was probably wearing before you...

SHOWER SHOES! SHOWER SHOES! SHOWER SHOES!

A can of Lysol disinfectant is always handy too, as is a small bottle of hand sanitizer. I'm not a germ freak either, but trust me on these two things.

 

heh - I never worried about shower shoes. Anything that can attack my feet successfully will make me rich as the discoverer of a new (whatever)

A hard hat, too. Even if you haul Van/Reefer, there are places that won't let you out to use the facilities if you aren't wearing a hard hat.

Probably don't need that as a trainee, though

 

Ewwww. Shower shoes aren't always a guarantee either, especially when you get one of those showers that doesn't like to drain. Ick. I carry a can of Tinactin with me, just in case.

A hard hat is a good idea, I didn't have one as a trainee and ended up using a loaner.

 

I'm fixin to start swift cdl school myself, nov. 19th lookin 4 any help i can get. I have limited options ($) and this seems to b a means to an end.. I am not going in blind. I have been out otr 4 weeks at a time, but it has been many years. what do i need 2 b prepared 4 as far as school????

 

like the man said, do what you have to do to get in. I stuck for four yrs before I quit. another 3 at werner 4 yrs at A & M (don't worry, you"ve never heard of them) and been here since march. best job I ever had(so Far) I'll stay where I'm at till I can"t pass the physical anymore. At the rate I'm going , I figure I have a another good ten yrs. I'll be 68 then, if that is not good enough,guess I'll just drive till I die and call that "retirement"