Well So far so good. Love the people here. Very nice. i got my physical up home in PA so I didn't have to travel 31 hours on a bus and got it approved, well now they want a note from my psych doctor. They couldn't get the fax to go through yestarday. Finally they got it go throught to my doc's main office this morning, he filled it out and sent it right back but they never received it. So now I am getting worried. I am all fine medical wise, but if the doc and hr can't get their faxes working right together I get to get sent home for a week until it gets straigthened out. Should be some way that they can "Hear" from the doctor and know he is approving me, and let me stay while they get THEIR technical issues worked out and not punish me for it. So pray for me that they get it worked out tomorrow. Everything else is clear, just need doc's approval(which he signed and is trying to fax) to get through to swift then I am good to go. BiPolarBear
It amazes me that companies use fax for anything. It is unreliable in the extreme. Haven't they heard of PDF? I admire that you are dedicated to finishing your college work but I hope you have great flexibilty in your timetable. After Swift Academy you will be going with a mentor for 240 driving hours regardless how many weeks that takes. After your mentor is comfortable with your driving, usually 50 hours, you will run team with each of you running as much of your 11 as you can. You will probably be getting back to back to back loads and you will be worn out. Constantly. When you solo, the freight will dictate your schedule. The places mentioned for free wi fi are for most part places you cannot take 65' of truck and trailer. However all of the truck stops have connections available. On the other hand you are in for an awesome adventure. I'm not trying to discourage you but I'm not going to sugar coat what will be a tough several months. Best luck to you and have fun. Frank
Prayers are heading your way! I wish Swift worked harder to configure the data that they need. Wishing rarely gets us anywhere however. Relax, what ever happens at this point is beyond your control. As I am finding out, another week, while expensive and frustrating, will not kill either one of us. Happy trails!
Well, Passed my evaluations 2 days ago, and passed the PTI last night. So all that is left is mapping and I got that down. So it looks like I'll either be heading to Richmond VA(though my home state is PA), or I'll be heading to PA until a spot is open in Richmond. They said depends how the people ahead of me are doing. And I decided to take this term off school. This has been more physically and mentally exhausting then originally anticipated. I am on disability as mentioned for bi-polar, and can only handle so much. I was thinking, "eh, drive for a few hours, learn a bit, go to hotel room and do work" yeah right. No wi-fi in room, and the mental exertion that this puts on you is amazing. I am doing quite well, but who would have thought just backing up would put that much on you. But, Tough up, and get through it. Loving the class. Wish we had more then 2 instructors for our class of 35, but it is what it is. So much for the "3-4 students per instructor rule". BiPolarBear
It worked! May your mind be a sponge! Pat yourself on the back, you will get thruogh it. I cannot believe it but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure hope it's not a train.
Well, home now in PA. Here for at least a week. Waiting for a spot to open in Richmond, VA to do last week of training. Then off to orientation, and 6 week mentor run. Excited and nervous at the same time. I am happy I did so well at the range, but now worried that the week off, I'll get back and forget my backing up. Said I need to hook up a small trailer to my little truck and practice my 45's lol.
Don't worry, you're going to have those days from time to time anyway. I've been out here 3 years. It took me 12 minutes to settle into hole the other night and the spaces on either side were empty.
Just wait til you get really good at backing a trailer then they tell you to unhook and go park bobtailed into a space, you're turning the steering the wrong way lol
I know you have heard this 100 times but don't worry about backing. You will learn how to back while on the road. First part is while you're with your mentor. 2nd half is when you start backing as a solo driver, and you will be doing lots of backing. Basically you will learn the most of your driving skills while solo anywho. Do not rush/stress; there is no reason for it. Take your time be patient and try to relax and you will find things fall in to place more then not, if giving proper time. Get everything documented in QUALCOMM I.E not over the phone hey do me a favor and I will give you this nice juicy load for the weekend kind of deals. Do everything over QUALCOMM! No need to hear your DM's voice unless you're speaking to him face to face. Oh and the ######## you will come in contact with you be nice to them and I mean yes sir no sir, thank you, have a good day sir/Ma'am.. It's funny to see how they react more then not they are perplexed and the expressions you get from that is hahaha. P.S Cant believe I can not say BUT in the proper trucker form.. We truck drivers ??? No Pre school teachers what !!! We have to start dressing in nice white and pink gowns and soft fuffy shoes !!!! DARN IT !!!
LOL... I got home and can't park my S10. Wife was making fun of me saying "Come on "professional driver" back it up". I said I can't back up without 1.) Cones and 2.) a 53' Trailer lol.
