Location:
Pottstown, PA
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
Retired from a 30 year career in computer technology. Finally realized that it was the journey I really enjoyed and not the destination. So in January of 2013 I fulfilled my lifelong love of trucks and driving by enrolling in Swift's Richmond Academy. Graduated, passed the CDL test, and went OTR for 240 hours with a mentor. Once that was completed, I was re-tested by Swift and offered a job. Overall a great experience. I wish I knew about this website while I was contemplating this as a career and while I was in school. Great information exchange.
Fast forward to the current, I am working for Swift as a dedicated driver assigned to the WALMART account in north central PA. Best job I ever had.
Happy to truthfully answer any questions about Swift and/or my experience in school and training.
Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago
View Topic:
Huge Announcement: Road Pro & NBC Today Show
Congratulations!!!! That is awesome!
Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
What to Wear - Meet my mentor in about a week(ish?)
Layers. All the clothes should fit in a duffel bag or medium sized suitcase.
Keep in mind you can go to sleep in Donner with 2’ of snow and awake in a far warmer, milder climate.
Dress for success!
Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
I really really really hate team driving
Zach’s reply at the bottom is at the root of his issues.
Totally ignored the meat of Davy’s advice and continues to prove me right. Perhaps the best path forward Zach is for you to stop posting the sniveling so none of us need to read it over and over again.
We all want you to succeed; it’s time for you to want that for yourself and avoid the point when we all give up.
99 out of 100 times, our problems are of our own making. The beauty of a free market society is that you decide your own value. Sorry, Im not even in school yet and Im tired of hearing the sniveling. How bout taking some accountability for your own actions and decisions, get informed (plenty of valuable information here on this site) and go increase your value.
I may suck horribly in this career, but I wont know it until I try, And if I do suck, I will improvise, adapt and overcome until I dont suck.
Then stop reading about the "sniveling" if you are so tired of it.
Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
Back from the TT Graveyard with the CULMINATION of my next phase of my journey:
MM... Dude... awesome you checked-in and updated us. Congratulations!!!
Don’t be a stranger... your story can definitely help the Newbies passing through.
Yours is one of top TT success stories. All the best MM!
Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
I really really really hate team driving
KH wrote...
BTW, in another thread I expressed some surprise because you were told by G-Town and I think another moderator that they didn't think you were cut out for trucking. I guess that's the "heat" that was mentioned above? First, I think it's a little thin-skinned to consider it "heat" because someone doesn't completely agree with you. Second, I didn't even disagree with what was said, I only thought that basically saying "just quit now" was bad advice and not in line with what I usually see on this forum. But again, not my forum.
This is what I wrote:
To be perfectly blunt here Zach... you do not strike me as trucker material. Sorry...I call it like I see it. And what I see here is a no win situation for you.
I’d encourage you to look elsewhere...this is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. Love it or hate it...has very little to do with the company name on your truck’s door.
It’s not for you.
Zach do you honestly think Trucking is “for you”? Do you have the mental toughness required to succeed at this?
You have received tons of great advice here... yet somehow continue relentless focus on the problem, and not the solution...
I challenged you to prove me wrong, thus far you haven’t Do your job Zach. Just do it...
As far as taking heat for this (from only you KH) ... not the first time, won’t be the last time...I call it like I see it. It’s rare that I encourage a driver to quit.
In my mind, in many ways Zach already has.
Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
First Solo Adventures of a Schneider Dedicated Walmart Driver
Dean I wrote a blog article a couple of years back that specifically addressed many of the challenges I faced during the first year of running Walmart Dedicated.
Forgive me for hijacking your thread, however I believe the timing is right as you begin your solo journey on the Walmart account...
Here is the link: Freedom of Trucking
Good luck, be safe and remember to “watch your wagon”. It’s tight getting in an out of these stores. Drive the trailer...do it slowly and you will never fall prey to the dreaded “yellow pole dear” or clip a wall.
Looking forward to reading your next entries!
Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago
View Topic:
Rookie Solo Adventures of a Knuckle Draggin Primate (Rob D.)
Rob D this is awesome!!!
While I’m waiting (about 2 hours), I get a call from my FM, which I figure is asking about the hold up. Nope. Turns out I got some recognition for my hard work. I made Prime flatbed driver of the month for January. I felt rather surprised, because I have strived to be a good rookie driver, but apparently, I’m performing well even as compared to experienced flatbed drivers. It was nice to hear.
Fantastic! Congratulations.
Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago
View Topic:
Schneider Walmart Dedicated TE Week
Pack Rat offered to Dean...
Great job surviving, Dean! Now you're education will actually begin as a soloist. It's all on you.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Great job Dean! I know exactly what you went through. If you learn your craft and your territory, you earn very good and consistent money.
Best wishes for continued success.
Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago
View Topic:
Turtle replied to “Ted”...
Ted thinks he is the authority on all things trucking:
IF you have a difference of an opinion, of the "(Jake break") topic, please keep it to yourself
So Ted, only your opinions are worthy of publishing? Puh-leeze
How bout you keep your wannabe SuperTrucker nonsense to yourself, and let the adults talk.
So it's okay to use the low jake brakes in the snow on grades? I'd understood there'd be problems with traction in rain and snow and ice, is there another piece of the puzzle to how it works?
Midnight Fox, don't listen to Ted. All experts agree that it's never safe to use Jakes in slippery conditions. That's a fact, and not some yahoo's opinion.
Ted... seriously? Suggesting a rookie use their Jakes on a wet and or snowy Road?
Until you are a Moderator, don’t dare throw down like that.
Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago
View Topic:
How do you feel about driver facing cameras?
Been at this 26+ years. I will not drive a truck that has an inward facing camera, or any camera that has an audio recording capability even if it is not used. I don't care how good it is. I won't work for a company that even has them, and that's generally bigger fleets. It's highlighted in my resume. An outward facing camera for video only, and obviously an ELD unit, are fine with me.
I did not become a truck driver to be treated like a maximum security prisoner, or a robot. Not sure what kind of person you have to be to tolerate that.
26 years of experience... and this is what you choose as your first two posts?
Considering the valuable experience you have...and the wisdom you could share...is that all yah got?
Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
Seppo has feelings...
I had a good feeling the very first reply here would immediately remind me why I stopped frequenting this forum
And we’re grateful for your infrequent love bombing of us. See you in four years...
Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
With speed restrictions of 45mph on many interstates in the Northeast, a record number of Prime trucks actually received speeding tickets over the past 2 days.
*the above statement is not true
Too funny!
Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago
View Topic:
Schneider Walmart Dedicated TE Week
Dean’s first day...
Recap of Day 2
It’s been one busy day. Started off meeting the TE and the people at the Walmart DC. Then it was off to find our trailer and start the workflows.
Two stops today, both about 2 hours from the DC. We didn’t really get started until almost 9:30 am. After we made our two stops then we had a back haul from Kellogg’s in Minooka, IL. Made it back to the yard about 8:30 pm. I’m wiped out.
Wash, rinse, repeat... fairly normal Walmart day.
I’ve been running Walmart Dedicated for 7 years. 12 hour days are the norm.
Good luck...keep up the good work.
Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago
View Topic:
Where’s everyone at what’s you 20 how’s the weather??
Wow, G-town! Is that at your DC in Pottsville? Hope it didn't set you back too much waiting for the lot to get cleared.
Yes. Digging out, then I’ve got a short run. Are you in Pittston?
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
Where’s everyone at what’s you 20 how’s the weather??
The Morning After- Dig It, as in “Dig It Out!”
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
This is my 3rd Winter driving and by far the worst. I swear every load I get I had a storm. I pop on here To read the new posts, And to be honest I'm so exhausted I just crash in the bunk. Always afraid I'm gonna be giving advice and then being famous the next day?
![]()
![]()
JYD... good to read a post from you.
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
View Topic:
Fired from CR England for two accidents
Eric S heard...
I’m not hearing a lot of good things about xpress
Eric... it’s BS. Not believe a word of it. With very few exceptions what you hear, more like read on the Internet is written by trucking failures or wanna-be’s. The prevailing attitude is most often “blame the company for their failure.” More often than not...the responsibility for failure lies right at the feet of the finger pointing former driver.
I’ve been with Swift for 7 years...they are the darling of all the Internet trucking haters. Not a word of it is true... all BS. I’m well taken care of, have always been treated fairly and professionally. No regrets...started with them, God willing I’ll retire from them.
My advice...wipe your memory clean from any distraction caused my the naysayers. It’s not healthy to latch onto any of it... Go into their orientation with a positive mind and seek out the million milers that come and go through the terminal.
Good luck! Be positive. Be safe.
Peace.
Click Anywhere To Close
Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago
View Topic:
Postcards from the Road! (Post Yours Please!)
I shutdown last Sunday after my last delivery at the Phillipsburg NJ Walmart...I put on clean socks for the photo op...!!!