Location:
Lewes , DE
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: 5 months, 1 week ago
View Topic:
CDL Training - Company and Schools Not Responding - Tips?
Errol making a prediction…
Also G-Town will sooner or later drop in to tell of his Swift experience. You will be in good company.
Let’s call it “sooner”… rather than later.
I agree with what Errol said and several others. I reached Diamond Status with Swift, trained with them and stayed with them for 8ish years. I’d do it all over again, same way.
Good luck!
Posted: 5 months, 1 week ago
View Topic:
Understanding the split sleeper berth
A link to an accurate piece of information is a dumb response? How so?
And this is why this forum is the absolute worst because of smart asses like the freakin moderators. Ask a simple question to rule that many get confused on and haven’t fully understood and get a really dumb response. This forum sucks and I’ll never be back!
Posted: 6 months, 1 week ago
View Topic:
Smoked weed 5 months ago can I get cdl
Bumping this reply. 100% agree.
I can't believe the number of people who ask the questions here about when it will be safe to have a clean hair or urine test because they have used some form of illegal drugs.
If you have used some form of illegal drug then wait a year before you try and test clean. Are you sure that you are drug freefor good or just fooling yourself?
Drug use of any kind just doesn't work in this industry.
Posted: 6 months, 1 week ago
View Topic:
I’ve been following this post for a few days now Charles. I agree 100% with the experienced mindshare of this forum. I hope you are using it to assemble your war chest of knowledge. It will serve you well.
Some context, I was trained by Swift and drove for them about 8 years. Point is, Swift falls into your definition of “starter company”. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with them and wouldn’t change anything. I was treated like gold.
At no time before or during my training period with them and throughout the first couple years of my tenure, did I consider going to another company.
I’ll offer the following piece of advice…if you are accepted into Primes program, commit 100% of your efforts and mental capacity to learn this craft and work towards top performance. Thinking beyond the first couple of months is futile…waste of time and energy.
Bluntly put; at this point in time you do not know enough about this industry and career path to evaluate and consider your options a year or two from now.
Walk before you run. Best of luck to you.
Posted: 6 months, 3 weeks ago
View Topic:
Well, what's in the news today, "Back In The Saddle, Again!" or "I'm Baaack!" edition?
Awesome news! Congratulations on your return to trucking.
Safe travels.
Posted: 6 months, 3 weeks ago
View Topic:
Turning in my truck and going on FMLA
Good luck Bruce.
I agree with others…I have several friends and family who recovered relatively quick and experienced a much improved lifestyle as a result.
You’ll be back ravaging our highways in no time!
Posted: 6 months, 3 weeks ago
View Topic:
Hi Errol…
Let me catch you up on current events…my neck of the woods has changed.
Built a house in lower slower Delaware (west of Lewes) and permanently moved about 2 years ago.
Drive a walking floor chip trailer, occasionally an RGN trailer and operate a loader for a land clearing company. I haven’t been on an Interstate for two years.
I plan to retire here.
Yeah, G-Town, back at it. Still teaching CDL. Last year I was in your neck of the woods - Scranton for about a month.
I am looking forward to a new trucking job soon. I haven't pressed that button yet, but checking things out. I'll keep TT posted.
Posted: 6 months, 3 weeks ago
View Topic:
Errol wrote:
I drove for Swift for three years. Thousands of drivers. The most important people in my job life knew me by name, and we worked closely so that I was always driving ($$$).
I was with Swift for 8 years. I concur with Errol’s reply to you. When I left I was making top pay and treated like gold. Same opportunity exists at most every company offering Paid CDL Training Programs
Not sure of your information source, but I respectfully suggest (with emphasis) that you ignore it and educate yourself on the Trucking Truth website, starting with the links Davy posted for you.
Posted: 5 months, 1 week ago
View Topic:
Understanding the split sleeper berth
Good point