Comments By Brent B.

Thanks, Brett. It's just a little disconcerting, especially when their website says they require a minimum of 3 months OTR, yet I have only had 2 weeks of OTR training. I just don't want to get out there, only to be told they made a mistake. I have talked to my recruiter, and she said it would be fine. I guess I just have to trust her, I think?

Is it a bad sign if recruiters are very general in their analysis of your background, yet tell you everything looks good to go?

Thanks, Tracy! Will give Dawn a call.

Thanks, Brett! I need motivation like that every so often! If given another chance, I am going to give my best, and not give up! I appreciate your words of wisdom. I will keep you updated on my potential employers.

Thanks, Old School! I guess I let emotion get in the way of reason and common sense. I should have just sucked it up and got through the training. I will pursue companies with aggression, because I want to show that I can do this job. Even if limited, I need to stay positive and call, repeatedly, those companies I am interested in. Thanks so much for your advice and support.

Hey Everyone,

It has been a while since I have been on this forum, so I would like to update you. When I last posted, in July, I was leaving to train with Swift. Well, it did not last long. After orientation, I went with my trainer who, I might add, was very good. Unfortunately, after 5 days on the road, my trainer told me I would not be paid for sitting in the passenger seat. The problem is that we were told during orientation that we would be paid x amount for driving and x amount for sitting in the passenger seat. My trainer and I had a conference call with my driver coordinator and she stated that I will be paid for sitting in the passenger seat, as stated during orientation. My trainer decided to pull rank, saying he had been doing this since 1974, and he was not going to let me be paid for sitting in the passenger seat. There was no compromise! My DC was ****ed and I was ****ed. This is a guy who also declared that he had threatened senior executives because of his standing in the company. I was at a loss. My DC said I could go home for a week and discuss things with my wife. She also said I would be welcome back at any time. This meant a lot to me because I did not quit under a load and knew I had the approval of my DC to go home and think things over. Fast forward to today. After discussing things with my wife, we decided to hold off on a return to swift for a few months. My DC was totally cool with that and said I would be welcome back when I was ready. Well, a couple of weeks ago I reapplied and was denied. I called my DC, who said I would be welcome back at any time, and she changed her story, slightly. She said that she meant to say I would be welcome back at any time IF my rehire application was approved. I about fell off my chair. Why say one thing and change it after I reapply?

Here is my problem now. I graduated from central refrigerated trucking school in Oct. 2012. I never started training because of a knee issue and having to take care of my Grandmother, who developed cancer and passed away in June of this year. Since then, I went to work for swift, as explained above and, I have had 3 part-time and temp jobs since then. I have applied at several companies and have been rejected. The reasons I am getting is that I graduated from another trucking company's school, I resigned during training at another and I don't have a minimum of 3 months OTR, even for companies who say that they take CDL graduates with no experience. I have one company that has shown some interest in me, and that is Melton, but I am worried that if I am rejected during the application process, I may be out of options!

I really need some advice, y'all. Did I burn my bridges, or is there still hope for me to get on with a company! Your advice will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! Brent

My recruiter, at Swift, has gone to bat for me and is getting things worked out. Looks like I will head back to Swift on Monday and finish up my orientation.

So, I called Swift headquarters in Phoenix and there safety compliance department told me that any medication taken for anxiety is under there 10 hour rule of no driving. That is swift policy! So, if I have to take my meds at a certain time each day, how can I not refuse loads due to taking a 10 hour break after each time I take the medication? The answer they gave me, and I quote, "I don't know"! So, if I take this medication at 7 each morning, that would mean I have to take a 10 hour break every morning. The problem is, trucking does not operate on that kind of schedule. Why didn't they tell me this when I sent in my application and told my recruiter about these meds? I am very disappointed in swift right now! I mean, I quit my job of 6 1/2 years!

Well, a little set back today! One of my medications is not allowed to be taken earlier than 10 hours befor I drive, so that is a problem. On the train heading home to visit with my Dr and get my medication changed. I will then head back up to Stockton next Monday and finish my orientation. They had this medication on my application. Why they chose to tell me after I got here, God only knows!

Day 1 of orientation is over. Passed the road test and my physical. We were at the clinic for 5 1/2 hours getting our physicals done. That was draining! Tomorrow and Wednesday are classroom days and then we should be out with our mentors right after that. I could definitely tell, today, that it as been 9 months since I last drove an 18 wheeler. Looking forward to some good training as we crisscross the country!