Swift newbie starting out

onlyg8tors · Sep 6, 2010

SgailDreugan said: ↑

Updating a bit sooner then I had figured... I was planning on giving an update when I got home Tuesday or Wednesday coming up as the mentor has home time planned, which means I have hometime... but as things in the trucking world are known, plans never seem to go the way you want.

After finishing our drop in Fort Worth we were dispatched to pick up a load out of Central Freight out of Dallas headed to Pharr, TX. Another JIT load which is not a problem for me as I keep the door closed and run, but when Central doesn't even have the load ready we end up sitting in the lot. Ordered Domino's pizza delivered to our truck and when they tell us it is ready and give us the trailer number it turns out to be the trailer we were parked next to. It was loaded and ready the whole time, they just didn't have the paperwork ready. Finally rolled out two hours later then original dispatch and of course the ETA was pushed back for delivery. Drove hard, as hard as you can governed at 62, no stops along the way and made it just after daybreak at the original ETA. Dropped the trailer and looked for an empty, all the trailers available were '14' series, hooked up the best looking one and sent the empty call. Dispatch messages back that we can't take a 14 foot trailer, of course being the newbie I am I argued that it was 53 foot and they argued back that it was 14, I told them I am not stupid, it says 53' right on the side and I would never hook to a little 14 foot trailer... After the planner finally explained height, not length I felt like an idiot .. live and learn .. spent so much time that the original trailer was unloaded so I just hooked back up and sent the new empty call. Pre-plan came quickly to drive to the Laredo terminal and pick up a Tcall from Mexico. A 2 stop Lazy-Boy load to Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Neosho, Missouri. Tried to sleep while the mentor drove but the trucks A/C crapped out and all I could do was sweat in the sleeper. Took over driving when we got to Willy's Place south of Dallas and got the load to both stops without an issue besides lack of sleep. I don't mind driving at night but I find the hardest time is just before dawn for me. Once the sun comes up I get my second wind and the fatigue goes away. Picked up another load in Joplin, Missouri headed to Proctor Gamble in Leipsic, Ohio ... then the sitting began, holiday weekend and all. The mentor got pissed and started making calls and messaging everyone he could. Told them to at least get us to our terminal so we could get our replacement mirror and have the A/C fixed. Finally we get the message to deadhead to New Boston. Better then sitting all weekend in a dirt lot.

Truck is still sitting in the shop as I type this. They replaced the mirror and the A/C compressor yet the A/C still doesn't work. Of course the mechanics tell us we don't need it as the cool weather is arriving... like to see them try to sleep in 100 plus degree heat and then drive fatigued. So they have the dash torn apart trying to find what the problem is and the dispatchers expect us to sleep in the truck. The mentor says thats not going to happen and makes a couple calls... couple hotel vouchers later and I get to hop on here and tell you all about it.

Hopefully they will find the issue and get us rolling soon, I get paid each day as a student, but the mentor is going to be hurting especially since he has home time scheduled for Tuesday. And after the 7000 mile week we had last week this week is going to be very slow.

Still having a blast even with the challenges most of you seasoned drivers are used to. I am not easily discouraged, and I know shat happens, it is all in how you deal with it.

I really do appreciate hearing that my adventures are being read and enjoyed by others and I will be happy to answer any questions I can. If I cant answer them, there are many wonderful people on here that can. If you are looking at Swift as a starter company I would have to give my recommendation as my experience has been very positive so far. You could do worse and I know everyones experience may be different but ignore the naysayers unless they can back their words with facts and/or proof.

Till the next update I wish you all well.
-SgailDreugan
Click to expand...

sgail,
Thanks for the very good report..I promise you you will be a good driver and you will be very successful with whatever company you go with(Swift). Remember keep that door closed and the earning potent is the sky. Some people think this is a vacation or a site seeing tour. No company is there for that. I will miss you on my truck not only for the earnings but as a friend. for those of you just comming in this plz listen to the older drivers on the road and do not get this attitude "I Know what I am Doing" be respectful as sgail has been and you will also go a very long way.
Yes that steak dinner will be pohoenominal when we get to do it...Plz if I can I would be happy to help any new driver if I can.....sorry for the break down bud...we could have had more miles last week if we did not take a re-set in Phoenix. LOL but man i was whipped...good luck to all the newbes .....sky lets keep the greasy side down

Fewe · Sep 11, 2010

SgailDreugan said: ↑

I really do appreciate hearing that my adventures are being read and enjoyed by others and I will be happy to answer any questions I can. If I cant answer them, there are many wonderful people on here that can. If you are looking at Swift as a starter company I would have to give my recommendation as my experience has been very positive so far. You could do worse and I know everyones experience may be different but ignore the naysayers unless they can back their words with facts and/or proof.

-SgailDreugan
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. I have been following your progress and have enjoyed the insiders view of Swift and starting out. I start Swift next Monday 9/13 in Millington and feel more prepared having read the stories from you and others who have taken the time to share their experiences. Keep us posted and I will try to post my experiences as well.

MikeMurf0505 · Sep 16, 2010

Ditto, Thank you for taking the time to post your experience for us OTHER newbies who are considering Swift.
Keep on trucking man.

kenl3417 · Sep 17, 2010

After reading all the posts on several different companies, I chose Swift. I informed my school yesterday. I still have 5 more weeks of school road & range training at AIT in Gardena, but I'm sure this will whizz by. I would like to go to orientation in Fontana, Ca by 10-25 right after my school ends. I will continue to read and maybe get my own post started once I get going. Very excited to get things started.

onlyg8tors · Dec 1, 2010

Hello Sky,
Have not herd from you in a while hope all is well and the family is doing good...i know you are running very hard thats because you deserve all that you work for...as for me this time a student hit a deer in Pa and we really can not drive anymore. oil cooler is out of commission this time and bad pull to right after this hit.....oh well motel on them right? all right my fried stay safe and WATCH OUT FOE THE DEER!!!!!!!

Jbrake1960 · Dec 5, 2010

whats going on? why no posts since september?

SgailDreugan · Dec 11, 2010

Well I had a huge update created .. hit post, and lost wifi connection, tried to repost when connection was restored but the data was lost... that will teach me to copy to the clipboard before hitting post next time... I am not going to type it all out again.

Suffice it to say all is well, quick summary:

*I am now platinum status averaging between 2800 and 3200 miles a week.

*Driving a crappy truck, half the horses dead, other half should be put out to pasture.

*Truck is ungoverned, no I wont tell my truck number, don't ask.

*Great dispatcher and planners.

*Getting lots of winter driving already.

*Stay out a month at a time.

*Never turn down loads.

*Fighting with qualcomm system over removed load offerings before time expires.

*Seeing poor paychecks after taxes, health and loan repayments removed, about half of gross. This week 3239 miles, $928.28 gross, $610.84 net - at least bills are getting paid.

*Toughing it out as I know it will get better with raises and after 13 months no more loan payment.

*Staying safe, healthy and warm and always keep a positive attitude.

*Never dwell on the past, over and done with. Never worry about the future as no one knows what will come. Live for today, Live in the now.

I wish you all well, be safe, keep warm, and have a very happy holiday season.

-SgailDreugan

Fewe · Jan 1, 2011

Good to hear you are doing well. I lost track for awhile during my time at The Academy and with my Mentor. Just checked in and saw the update... keep the rubber side down and the wheels turnin'!!!

izzy1978 · Jan 8, 2011

LOL I asked the same thing once to the school instructor about reducing the fractions, He never gave me an answer and seemed kinda upset that I asked it as if I was trying to trick him some how.

chainman454 · Jan 8, 2011

tread depth guages are marked in 32nd of an inch and not by 16ths. you probably already got the answer to your question a long time ago, but there is the answer anyway.

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