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

At the AMBest in Union Gap.

Got unloaded this morning and drove over here. Comments state that paperwork MUST be scanned today for everyone to get paid so now they are rerouting me 42 miles away to the Loves in Ellensburg, WA only so I can scan my paperwork. (edit: the scanner here at the AMBest is down). Kind of sucks since I have a wifi signal out here and I'm set to wait otherwise. Now I hope I can still find parking at the Loves since I won't be getting there until about 1630. Keeping my fingers crossed.

While I sat at the consignee this morning waiting I got a few things done with my trip. I ordered almost $1000 U.S. in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan Quetzals and Belizean Dollars. That equals $8700 in pesos, $1000 in Quetzals and $150 Belize Dollars! I feel rich, at least in other countries.

I also opened up a second travel checking account so I can use that special travel debit card on my trip. I'll keep the balance nice and low in case of robbery or some other calamity. I can transfer from my current checking account over to this new travel account an unlimited number of times and for free. At least I got that done.

The foreign exchange cash will be waiting for me at a local branch back in Virginia for when I get out there.

They put a plan on my picking up at the paper plant in Lewiston going out near Portland, OR. I told them I would be happy to take it but they need to keep in mind that my hometime (quit day) is set only 10 days from now across the U.S. At first they thought I was taking hometime out in WA and said not to worry. When I told them it is 3000 miles across the U.S. they sent a message to the planners to either get me stacked out of Portland or another load heading east. Although it should only take 4-5 days to get across the U.S. on recap hours, the likelihood of me getting a load taking me straight across to Virginia from here is low. So I think with 10 days left it should be about time to get me zigzagging across the U.S. heading east. No preplan yet.

Time to head over to that Loves. Hopefully I can find parking and a decent wifi signal.

 

Loves in Ellensburg, WA...


Got to the Loves. Did a pretty sweet 90 into this spot and had the clerk scan my paperwork. All caught up.

A planner resent me the same load going from the Clearwater plant to Clackamas. It's hard to believe that they don't have any other loads picking up from Clearwater going east or maybe southeast. I called Martin in Phoenix (Sumner closed for the night), always a decent guy, and explained the situation to him. I have no problem taking the load, I actually would like it. But it is a set appointment live unload for tomorrow night (Friday night) at 2300 and if I don't get something behind it I could potentially get stuck out near Portland for the weekend. If that was the case, then I would most likely be late for my hometime next Sunday.

The planner messaged me stating that "9 days out is too far out to stack home, accept that one and then we will start moving you in a homeward direction".

Not sure if I like that. This has happened before, I made the planners happy and they got someone (me!) attached to a load only to be left hanging and late for my hometime. Not sure what to do but Martin is going to message the planners for me. Sounds like he agrees with my argument.

 

I should say that I'm a little reluctant to leave Swift at this point. I think there is something to be said for familiarity. Swift may not be perfect but I have just learned the system to some degree. It has taken time but I'm getting better at understanding Swift's way of doing things, their expectations, etc. Plus my quality of life, most of the time, is quite good here. I have a tv and can keep myself entertained, I don't really have anyone breathing down my neck, the equipment is decent and this company allows me to see most of the lower 48.


There is something to be said about stepping out into that void of unknowing when starting with any new company. Things may seem so much greener on the other side but if I was to make that leap right now I could potentially end up in a worse situation. Maybe more money but maybe there could be some quality of life issues. And, if that was the case, I can't necessarily leave to go to yet another company so quickly. Don't want to seem like that guy hopping from one place to the next. Plus, prior to working for Swift and starting this new career, my job history over the previous 5 years was terrible - temp labor, trying to start my own business, underemployment and unemployed at times. Not sure if 1.5 years with Swift will compensate for that time period just yet and tip the scales in favor of appearing gainfully employed for a successive number years.

This job is so important to me. The other day I was passing through a town and passed a temp labor place - Labor Ready, Labor Works or something similar. Just looking over at it gave me a pit in my stomach. I felt kind of sick, and I mean that literally. It was such a bad time in my life that I couldn't imagine ever having to go through that again. It was a miserable, demoralizing and depressing time and I can't think of doing anything but drive OTR at this point. It's all I want to do. To think that I would have to do something other than this job at this point, scares the crap out of me.

If Swift can come through with a decent wage and maybe a sign on bonus than I wouldn't mind staying for another six months or a little longer.

If I don't stay I'm thinking of maybe finding a good flatbed company. Heard the pay is a little better and I like the physical aspect of it. More responsibility with ensuring the load is secure but that doesn't bother me. If not that, then maybe I need to go get my doubles/triples and hazmat endorsement and seeing where that takes me. As long as it is still OTR I'll be ok.

 

This is very true.

I was just reading Emerald's thread about leaving Swift for greener pastures. I'm gonna keep following along and check out some of the companies posted.

It's kind of exciting actually thinking about getting into something completely different. I can't believe I almost have the experience to move on into something new.

O/O makes me a little nervous, at least at this stage, because my 5 year plan looks something like this:
Drive: 1 year to 1.5 years.
Vacation: 2-3 months riding
Drive: 1 year to 1.5 years.
Vacation: 2-3 months of riding.

lol that's my plan as of right now. Not sure how that is going to play out or if it's possible yet but that's what I would like. Work hard for 1-1.5 years and then take off for a couple of months to somewhere exotic on my bike. Gives me something to plan and work towards while I'm in the driver's seat. With being an O/O I'm still responsible for the note while my leased truck would sit unloved.

 

On my way down to Nashville. 2100 mile load. I haven't had one of these in a long, long time. Smooth sailing so far although the driver tcalling it in Spokane was out of hours and late by almost a day. He was coming out if Canada. So now its late on my end. I did get a 34 in while I waited in Ellensburg plus extra pay.

Taking a quick 30 minute mandatory at a rest area just over the SD border in Iowa. Iowa rest areas have free WiFi but its not good here. 5 more days after tonight.

Gonna run and see if I can make it to a Walmart. At least its been cool enough lately that I rarely have to run the truck.

 

Thanks. So you have a Harley? Which model? That's one bike I haven't owned yet but wouldn't mind getting one later. I don't think I've ever even had a v twin before. I'm kind of looking at this Harley "72" a few years down the road. I like the look and it's simplicity.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/cont...s/2014-motorcycles/sportster/seventy-two.html

Good luck with your TE. Let me know how you like running tanker. I'm seriously starting to consider that. Bring down the HazMat DOT book with me on vacation and study it for when I get back.

Take care and keep the rubber side down!

That's what I'm talking about. You gotta have balance between work and downtime.

I was thinking it would be tough to take time off as a lease op but I guess an owner op would be different. The reason I said the thing about vacation and it being tough to take extended time off as a lease op is because I was talking to a lease/op guy down in Florida at the terminal. His truck was down in the shop for weeks but he still had to make payments. That's what scares me about leasing. But I guess with proper planning and budgeting it is very possible.