Comments By Xnihilo

Retire from 23 years of teaching this June.

Begin Swift training immediately after.

Get at least one-year of successful OTR experience.

Move back to the South (not sure where).

Get a food-grade tanker gig; hopefully able to get home every weekend.

Drive until I'm 70, health permitting.

Work in my church.

Start a small-dog rescue after I retire from trucking.

Bar-hop on my Harley.

Fish.

Hey guys, I’m going to ask for advice and be as respectful as I can. I’ve been a long time lurker and really enjoy this site and the advice you all give. I’m working for a major carrier (would prefer not to say who) and on my trainers truck. My trainer is 34 and has been driving for 5 years. The issue I’m having is he is gay, very flamboyant, and very emotional. He wears makeup, wears very short shorts on the truck, sometimes wears halter tops, etc. Several times he has flirted with truckers over the CB calling them honey, baby, cutie, etc. Its driving me absolutely crazy! I’m just very uncomfortable with this situation. He’s been a pretty good trainer but I don’t want to be around this for 30-45 days. I was raised with values that don’t support/agree with his lifestyle and I don’t want to be living with him in a box for this long. I understand I will have to deal with people I don’t agree with in this industry and that is just fine, but there’s a difference between dealing with people and temporarily living with them. Instead of being PC, please think about what you would do if you were in this situation and let me know. Thanks

If the company had asked if you would you be comfortable living with a female trainer what would you have said?

I see no difference.

But he does.

The point is that he is uncomfortable and it hinders is focus, hence this thread. Is it okay for a woman to request another woman as a trainer because she would be uncomfortable "living" with a man in a box for weeks? Of course it is! This should be no different. However, his company should have informed him about this beforehand to avoid any issues. Then again with all the PC crap going on, maybe they aren't allowed to for fear of being labeled a homophobe.

Heading up the interstate in Orlando I was driving my 2006 GTO at about 85. These four crotch rockets passed me with no problem. Oh, they were all doing wheelies when they passed.

Wuzzat you, Davy?

Davy,

Don't give up on a two-wheeled life. If you're like me (and you are) you will not be able to get it out of your system. What I did was change perspectives on The Ride. Instead of dragging knees around Angeles Crest Hwy, I switched to a slower, more contemplative type of riding and exploring on my DR650 and Electra Glide. Maybe it's just age, but I don't feel like I've lost anything; I think I'm enjoying motorcycling more than ever. Instead of fearing the po-po around every corner I now wave to them on the way by. Face it, if you're stressed about The Ride what's the fun in it?

The main reason I sold my Ducati. I was fortunate I didn't get a ticket, but constantly looking over my shoulder for smokies took all the fun out of it. Went to dual-sport and Harley to keep things reasonable.

Anyone interested in trucking work because the COVID crises has shut down a lot of work? I work for one of those places and I am now having to scrap for whatever work I can get!

Yeah, sort of.

What I mean is that my job changed radically because of Covid. I teach 7th grade and I now have to do it remotely. I can't stand it. Covid is making me jump ship. Something I've wanted to do for a while, so now I have the push.

And I be impressed!

I've been narrowing down the choices for CDL sponsored companies and Swift just seems to have all the best options for me. One of the best is they are a 45-minute drive from my house to Fontana, so no Motel6 for me. Yay!

From the brief tour I was given by Carlos the director (they were very busy), they seem to have a really great program. Large practice lot, new tractors (all auto...BOO!), nice classroom, and meeting a few of the staff they all are very friendly. I told Carlos that I will be doing my DOT physical and getting my permit in the spring, but he said don't. They do it all there with DOT doctors and DOT instructors on campus. Nice! One-stop shopping. I like that.

Swift has a lot of internet haters, and haters can hate all they want. But if there ever was a doubt in my mind about Swift there is one word that keeps me in line.

G-Town.

Nowhere have I seen an asking of these credentials for an initial inquiry for employment.

You wont! It will just put you in a better position. The recruiters are fielding calls all day, everyday from people just poking around. Some serious people can get overlooked in crowd. Once you have passed the DOT physical and obtained your permit you’re on their radar

I never thought about that. Points well taken.

Once you have your CLP and medcard, recruiters are more responsive. They know that you have invested time and willing to commit to a trucking career.

Nowhere have I seen an asking of these credentials for an initial inquiry for employment.

Just a survey, not a lot of discussion needed. How responsive where the recruiters you interacted with? I have been dealing with 3 from separate companies. 1 had responded via phone and email in less than 3 hours or the following morning. Another has taken a week at a time to respond. Another has yest to respond after 3 weeks and 3 messages left to their voice mail and 2 emails to the company orgbox. I don't want to drop a dime on company names, but after reading a bunch of forums here about recruiters, the one who makes an effort towards me is likely to get my nod. At what point have you "cut bait" and moved on?

Yep.

I've definitely experienced what you are talking about. Using this service to reach out to recruiters, I've received...(wait for it)...three. And of those three only one really took a remedial interest in my application. For the most part what I have found is if you really want to pursue a company you have to be proactive. Forget about recruiters falling over themselves looking for qualified candidates. You want it? You must seek them out.