Swift - Starting the New Year training with Swift 1/7/13 - A long read...

From the info so far they are still using Candlewood.

 

If after hours pm me and I'll meet u at Candlewood. Would to put a face with the name.

 

Doc,

Consider getting an extra REAR TKC80 and taking it with you, the rear will last about 3-3500 miles to 5-6000 for the front. You also need a portable bead breaker, tire plugs, patches, and a set of tire irons.

 

Ugh. Made it home for hometime last night. Yesterday ended up being a bit of an awful day for me, I got somewhat emotional, and I'm a total idiot at trucks still.

Yesterday, they upgraded me to a 2014 Kenworth T680. I took my time in inspecting it. They had offered me a choice of three trucks on Thursday but they all had check engine lights on as well and one I couldn't even get to start. The T680 was in great condition. It had some body damage but the replacement part was under the bunk. Interior was a bit dirty so they did a quick detail. Then I started to move into the truck.

Qualcomm seemed a bit wonky. I was trying to be as through as possible in getting as much issues I had figured out/fixed before I leave the yard. Took it to the shop. They showed me how to calibrate it... sigh. Took it back over by my old truck to finish moving in. After moving out if the old truck , they had me take it over to the shop because it was its turn to get worked on after 3 days of being there.

Finally sent a message over the qualcomm saying I was ready to roll with a load taking me home. They messaged me to pick the load up now and then deliver after home time. Actual load picked up in Indianapolis (central Indiana), I was then to take it home to Evansville (Southwest corner), before delivering it Monday 0700 to Fort Wayne (Northeast corner). That load may little sense to me. Called and talked to my mentor's DM (mine was out of the office) and they thought I lived just outside of Indy. They took that load off me and gave me another one picking up there at the yard and delivering to Cincinatti, OH, at 1800 on Monday. That was marginally better. About sixty miles closer to my home and I could get there doing daylight hours. I'd also get to keep my dentist appointment for Monday morning.

After all that, about an hour had passed with the truck off. There was a truck and trailer uncoveniently parked in front of me. Boxing me in. While waiting for them to move, I checked the fluids (been meaning to do it sooner, but either didn't have anything on me to check it with or kept forgetting and turning the dang truck on). My engine oil was mostly bone dry. I still haven't picked up any gallon jugs for fluids. Take truck back to the dang shop (for the 3rd time) for oil. Well, as soon as this truck and trailer move.

Get oil put in the truck. I need fuel and DEF. 75 gallons had been authorized to me so I head over to the fuel lane. How do I do the DEF? Oh, you have to go talk to shop and they'll have someone come out and do it for your. Argh. Shop shop shop!!

Find and hook up to my trailer. The three red DOT lights at the top of the back of the trailer weren't on. Argh. Back to the shop that now has a line of 5 trucks deep. While waiting in the line, I asked over the qualcomm as well as calling for a written message confirming that I was authorized to take this load home with me. I had gotten written authorization specifically for the previous load but not this one. My mentor always told me to 1. Cover my ### 2. Cover my ###. Unfortunately, after hours picked up and refused to do it albeit for a good reason (now at least). That ended up upsetting me pretty bad at the time though. Called my mentor, and she got in touch with the Fleet Manager, and they both assured me that he'd get a message sent out today.

My turn for the shop! Yay! They flipped a switch on the friggin dash that turned those three friggin little red DOT lights on that are on the top of the back of the trailer. Sat in line for an hour. A friggin hour. For that frogging switch. SIGH. I CYA'd and left the yard finally heading home. Argh.

 

Awwwwww....well it will get easier....then u will get in a flow and understand how everything works....that's what the qcomm and questions are for,use them both...the office knows that u are new....and the truckers just fake until u make it,lol...as far as the trucks go,yes u don't know crap .....yet but none of us did to start...seriously....u are following procedure trying hard to do the right things...and yes it's hard...it's a unique field that's why an experienced driver is valued a lot....become one of those ok...ur on your way and take your time to relax.....you'll get the hang of it...and come the time your hometime is over u will be anxious to deliver that load,hehe...hang in there and chin up...cry in private,put on a brave face...we've all been there.....ok? Fr8monkey...