Profile For Jaybird

Hey Everyone, been a minute since I've posted, I still read daily. Still trucking along, passed my 6 month mark with Walmart Corrine Dedicated with Swift. 76000 miles down and still enjoying it and going strong!

I read an article following up with the recent verdict against Werner and the crash outside Odessa in 2014. Read some other articles about it and I'm wondering on what everyone's opinion is in that situation. It seems to me that while a speed higher than most probably would be driving in the conditions is it unfair to place the blame on the Company and the operator when the cause of the crash was the driver of the vehicle that lost control. I'm just curious on everyone's thoughts on the situation and the trial against Werner.

I enjoy the Walmart account in Corinne, they just announced here that they renewed the contract for 4 more years so I hope it stays that way.

I'm struggling to find out what the mistake was from the DMV.

I have an "M" restriction.

I used to drive public transportation, I got my A license, I now drive for Swift. I can still drive public transportation. The M restriction is simply, I did not test for my A in a passenger transport vehicle, I cannot drive a class A passenger transport vehicle. I can Drive a Class A combination vehicle carrying cargo that doesn't complain. Or I can still drive a Class B passenger Vehicle. Just not a Class A passenger Vehicle.

But I'm struggling in your post to understand how the DMV exactly made a mistake.

I'm not G Town, am I allowed to reply? Don't want to overstep.

I went through swift academy last September, they had new classes start each Monday. I did 150 hours with my mentor and then took my upgrade written and road test.

I live in Utah, I asked during the academy if I could be placed on a dedicated account. instructor and Driver Qualification said I was hired for OTR, being dedicated was no problem. Several accounts had spots open and I chose Walmart Dedicated in Corinne. It was an easy switch and they were happy to help me find what I wanted to do but it came down to what accounts had openings. I'll let G Town answer the other questions, I'm still learning a few things but I can comfortably answer those ones.

Sorry if I overstepped by replying G Town.

I was fortunate my old company bought a pair of Oakleys for me. Like 200 dollars. I never wore them really, didn't want to scratch or break them.

I rotated through alot of crappy pairs from various convenience stores, trying to see the zonar tablet and GPS was very hard and the screen didn't work with the glasses I had, recently I had them on the truck and wore them, could see the screen and GPS just fine, no glares like my other crappy pairs. Needless to say I'm now scratching them as I go under the truck and they fall off my head etc. But the Oakley ones I have, have been by far the best for no glare and any other vision issues.

I thought I'd do a quick update.

Graduated Swift Academy, tested out with CDL, and placed on Mentors truck early October.

Today I hit 60 hours of drive time. Mentor does not team drove, which at first I was very happy about, he is an owner operator, he owns the truck with no payment. He is on a Walmart Dedicated account that I will also be running on here out west.

It was great, he's an awesome guy, we get along, Swift itself has been phenomenal. Everyone is friendly, Driver leads here are great and friendly, no complaints from them.

BUT, my mentor takes home time, nightly pretty much. We go to and from Elko, he takes his 34 every weekend, for more like 60-72 hours, while I just hang out. He takes the short route to Elko, rather than the planned Fuelstop route, because as he says, he's going home. He's a good dude, I like him alot. But 60 hours of drive time in almost 3 weeks, I had to ask for another mentor, hopefully it would speed up the process.

Getting picked up Monday by a new mentor, hopefully it all works out. Swift itself has been awesome, the little driving I have done, has been awesome. I'm loving it and just itching to continue driving. Thanks for reading I'll update again soon!

Kearsey you totally just jogged my memory.

Quick note. Swift Academy actually had a guy that started the week behind me, got his CDL through a school in SLC, Swift made him do the 3 week academy including the range and backing maneuvers. All except the CDL test, they made him do, and he will be on a Mentor truck the same hours as everyone else. They aren't charging him, he's not testing and getting his CDL. But he's following the same ciriculum because he's inexperienced and a brand new CDL holder. So he actually took a month longer than everyone else because he did a month of schooling before coming to swift.

I mean I'll give some information about myself here. Previous threads show where I'm at currently. I'm on a Mentor truck in Elko right now about halfway through with Swift. Went to Swifts academy.

Previously to this I've been a fixed route bus Operator for the past 8 years, and loved it, good pension and benefits, hourly was not where it needed to be and me and my wife struggled financially. Our first baby came along and something needed to change. Paycheck to paycheck with the kid ain't gonna cut it. Have some debts, few credit cards, couple cars, new cars mind you, and you know, the usual. Well we're a little lucky but near the end of our lease in the apartment, still have it, we decided to make some changes, fortunately we have family close, she and the little dude moved in with family so I could make this career change, upgrade my license and in the longer term picture make more money, right now it's about the same as I was making driving bus, and that's on my guarantee training wages. Hardest last 2 months of my life. New kid, worried financially because of no savings, 2 car payments fell behind, credit cards fell behind, everything I made went to food for myself, her and things for the child. Just had to keep telling myself that I'll catch up on everything as soon as I can. And still am telling myself that.

We have a plan. This year I'm going to try my best to run on this dedicated account to the best of my ability. Get some experience under my belt. She's in a safe spot with the child, we are taking a step back, leveling ourselves financially, paying all debts off, im selling 1 car, we don't need 2 cars. We are trying to financially build a future for my new little boy. Hard as hell, im in this new lifestyle here at Swift, away from both of them for a little at a time, but I'm in this 110%. Those bills and payments im falling behind on now, need to wait because I will pay them but I need to think about my little boy and the situation we were in was not going to cut it. Now that is my point sorry it took so long.

My point: I'm in this transition, and so is my wife, ALL THE WAY.

No reason to not do it efficiently, at as little cost to myself as possible, and get me making money as fast as possible. I'm reading a post from you, wanting to change your income source, you're paycheck to paycheck, but spending 11k out of pocket. Even if I had the means to spend that kind of money that's crazy to me, 0 out of pocket cost. I'm in this ALL THE WAY, and swift will train me. Because I'm 100% in this, I'll stay employed with Swift, work for them. And the tuition will get paid while I work for them. Cost 8000. And after 2 years with Swift. I won't have paid them a dime for training.

My situation is indeed different. Her and the baby are in their own safe haven. I miss em both dearly. Something in our lives needed to change and removing the 2k a month rent payment, 550 dollar car payment, me upgrading license, and taking help from family for 1 year to get out of debt completely, build some savings, level ourselves and then make a decision on what happens next. That's my plan. So my bills for 1 more month will get some money put on them as a show of good faith. 2 car payments being behind on for 2 months I don't care about, and in fact I was able to get a 3 month deferral on the one we aren't selling but i was behind on it a month, about a month and a half. Bottom line, you're serious about making an income change? My mind is blown that you aren't just showing up to training at Swift, Prime, Roehl or something of the sort. I started Swift academy Sept 12. I'm seeing 800 week right now, these last 2 weeks and going forward I'll only increase it. Overdrawing my bank account 4 times a month barely making ends meet and being paycheck to paycheck drove our life changes so I get it. But I ain't paying 11k out of pocket that is absolute bonkers.

Best of luck. I'm taking off back to the DC in Corrine UT. Headed to Idaho for a 650 mile trek.

Thanks G Town! I did read it and it was one of the reasons I ultimately chose that route over OTR or any regional. Here in SLC there is also a couple other dedicated accounts, the Walmart seems to be the one that is high paced and will push my clock each week..? I'm excited to dive into this. Little nervous for all the backing coming up. Overall just ready to hit the road!

Graduated Swift academy SLC today!

Passed the CDL test, live locally in SLC so I was able to run to the DMV, upgrade the license and get back to the terminal within the hour. Filled out the rest of the required documents, obtained my badge, and comdata card.

I am on the Walmart account out of Corrine. I am getting picked up by my mentor tomorrow and he is on the Walmart account as well so I will learn it with him. Meeting him at 8am, very excited and ready for the last bit of training! I'll post an update during these next couple of weeks!