Comments By Driver

I would be patient and it seems with the trailer swaps, it has been bad luck. If he says this is the most he's sat, its probably true.

A lot of times, everything goes like clockwork. Perfect timing with the loads and tons of miles.

Every once in awhile, I get a week with one problem after another. Consignees doesn't want to unload early. Canceled trips. It's like a loosing streak at Las Vegas.

Then, the next week, everything turns around again.

Also, being the weekend, everything closes down. I normally get loads that pickup on Friday and deliver monday, even short ones, so I end up completing my 34hr reset during that time.

During, the week, I am picky about the preplans I accept, If I'm close to shippers. If there is to much time, I'll reject the trip with an explanation. No reason to sit around.

I think this next week will turnaround for you.

Vic C.

I was in a similar situation as you a number of years ago. Basically, working behind a desk and wondering if this will be how my life will end. I would drive by this large billboard on the way to work, advertising a truck driving school and it was engrained into my memory.

A number of years later, after quitting my job and traveling part of the world my funds dried up. So, here was the opportunity to persue truck driving and have been doing this for 1 1/2 years. There have been many office workers that arrived at the infamous fork in the road and have chosen the trucking path.

I'll give it to you straight from my prospective. It is not a job, but a lifestyle. It's a cliche, but is true. You travel the USA in every direction and more. You meet all kinds of people and drive through the most beautiful places in this country.

I personally think a good test for a potential driver is, do you like camping and RV trips? Think of truck driving as the worst RV trip imaginable. There is no bathroom, a small kitchen and tiny quarters. But one of the most rewarding lifestyle you will ever have. I am a minimalist, so the cab area has everything I need.

Let’s talk about money. Can you make 50k? You sure can and that's about what I am expecting this year. In fact, I have already contributed the max of 18k to my 401k and 5k to my IRA. The beauty is that in your situation, you can live in your truck and won't pay rent, electricity, etc. However, I hussel to make money as a second year company driver. WhIle others are eating and relaxing at truck stops, my main priority is to keep moving.

Could I do this job for 30 years straight? Honestly, no. But for 10 years, sure. Even, every other year, if possible.

For the lifestyle question you asked, the challenges for me has been the solitude. It has been days without talking more that a few words. I live by my XMSIRIUS radio. I call friends and family, read, etc.

I am never frustrated with traffic or weather, but shippers and receivers make me loose my patience.

I go a few days without showering and that is hard for me to adapt.

I drive so many hours, that I did not even think it was possible, but each mile pays. I focus on safety, but always can be safer.

The other question about reimbursement, I receive 150.00 per month from the company which is about average. My CDL school was not through a trucking company, but an independent school. It cost around 5k.

Listen to the posters here, because they have a lot more experience than me.

Good Luck on whichever direction you choose!

Do you have a Schengen Visa or European citizenship. I was planning on moving to France and working, eventually into truck driving, but found that just getting a job is difficult without papers.

How I understand it, the countries will hire there own citizens, then after other citizens from the EU. If they want to hire an american, the comany needs to go through a sponsor process.

If you have Irish ancestory, you can get citizenship and I almost qualified for finnish residency.

A few sites suggested just marrying some from Europe, which makes it a lot easier☺

If you can do it, what a great experience. Especially, driving around Europe!

Good Luck

Hi kelsi,

The mentoring portion of truck driving is difficult, to say the least.

I'll tell you a story...When I started, I was assigned a mentor and was excited to practice what I had learned and nervous at the same time.

We met at a stop and made a delivery about five minutes away - he drove. He let me back up and directed me down a hill in the fog at night. He kept telling me to go faster and I literally had been in his truck for 5 minutes. It was horrible.

He then wanted me to bobtail the truck solo while he followed me in his personal vehicle. I refused since it is company policy that mentors must drive with their students. My mentoring with him lasted a total of 30 minutes, probably a record!

Anyway, the next day, I called the mentor department and was assigned someone else. They were like sure, no problem. This mentor was extremely safe and that's what I wanted. We still go into a few arguments, that is normal. We are still friends to this day.

So, how does this relate to you. First, is he a safe driver and teaching you safety. That should be your priority. If you get a new mentor, make sure he/she teaches safety.

Above all, he does NOT have the right to belittle you, Communication is the key here. Let him know firmly your stance. It's that some of these mentors have "power trips". Respect the mentor, and sometimes you have to bite your lower lip. But, you also deserve to be treated with respect.

When I switched mentors, I explained to the mentor department, that we were not a good fit. However, like someone else posted, keep documentation and possible recording.

I think it is great that more women are driving, so keep your head high.

You are going to do great, so don't worry.

Hi,

I have Tmobile Simply Prepaid Plan, which only cost a mere 40.00 a month and includes 3GB of LTE data, which is fast enough to watch videos. After that(like maybe a week), it throttles down. Enough to surf the Internet, email, etc. Don't expect to watch any movies though. However, it is unlimited so you won't pay overages.

I believe Tmobile has a 95.00 plan which includes the unlimited LTE data. If I could afford it, I would get it.

Coverage is good except in some places like the whole state of Wyoming and parts of Idaho.

I had Verizon which had excellent coverage but was costly.

Also, I have a subscription to YouTube, which allows me to download movies to my tablet. It costs 10.00 a month and I download a bunch of movies when at a terminal.

I also use my cell phone as a Tmobile hotspot and connect either my tablet or computer device.

Internet is difficult sometimes, but it is only getting better!

Hope this info helps.

From Randy Quaid's quote in independence day, "I'm baaaack"., and how appropriate.

Paulj, I believe that we are on the same page and you should raise your flag high.

When I originally posted this message , I received some heat. Some of the responses were, it's just a camera. They are doing it at all the companies. If you want privacy, just go behind the curtain. If you don't want someone to listen to your private conversation, you probably are doing something wrong. My thoughts were how complecent Americans have become.

I honestly thought am I the only one that values privacy, until PaulJ came along and started stirring up the pot. I think many may only be thinking of personal privacy, it is much more that.

I value our constitutional rights, which includes our right to privacy. If a police officer wants to search my house, they better have a warrant. If I am asked to search my personal vehicle, I want to know the probable cause. If I am asked if I am an American citizen at a border check point (personal vehicle), my response is "am I being detained, if not I would like to go now."

If I wanted to live in a country that does not value our rights, I would move to Russia. This is what makes america great and different from other countries. I don't own a firearm and personally would lIke all of them to be confiscated from the USA because the are "unsafe", but will fight for anything that restricts guns, because it is our constitutional right.

We know that our right to privacy is being eroded. From NSA with Snowden and more recent example is the government requesting encryption keys to unlock iphones.

This might be just a camera in a truck drivers truck, but where does it go from here. Are we going to have cameras in bathrooms, cars. Let’s have the government put some cameras in our houses to make sure we are not doing anything wrong. And if we do, we can get some government coaching.

Anyway, from another poster explaining that the dash cam has been allowed by the courts. This is the law and must be accepted. This battle has already been lost. Just like drivers are unable to travel with guns. Once we step into the truck, we give up certain liberties. I accept that because that is the law.

However, for my part I have sent an email to my local ACLU. I invite people out there to really think about our amendments and defend them.

Here is a quote from Benjamin Franklin that I think is appropriate:

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Driver, this is false. When you are logged as off-duty, you can cover the inward facing lens with a shirt or cap.

Thanks. I am corrected and read through the policy.

We can cover the inside lens and leave the outside unblocked when off duty.

I also contacted the Swift Safety department for additional questions.

.Anyway, I think the drive cam saga thread is done and I feel a lot more comfortable. I do appreciate everyone's input and enjoy this forum for information. I am a relatively new driver, so the site helps a lot! Thanks.

we not only had cameras on us constantly... but directional microphones recording our conversations

and inspectors on platforms with binoculars watching for theft.

Before the camera you stripped naked in the front seat where other drivers could see u?

I know swift drivers who put a shirt over it at night. Big deal.

Hi RainyD,

I am glad I made you chuckle about my privacy☺

I did not realize that the post office was so strict. It unfortunate how they treat deaf drivers. Swift has a number of deaf drivers and I spoke with one of the mentors who had a deaf student. From my understanding, Swift goes out of thier way to support those drivers.

Anyway, the cameras does also record sound, so conversations are recorded.

When I sleep, 95% of the time without clothes. It being so hot now, both windows are open and the curtain is slightly open. It cuts down on laundry.

Unfortunately we can't cover the camera with a shirt because it is considered tampering.

Thanks for the info!

ITS NOT ON WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF !!!!

I just read this statement, which is very informative. I notice that the camera looses all power when in the ignition switch is off. That makes a huge difference.

BTW, the pamphlet that I got with the camera on the back with the FAQ states that there is no way to remotely trigger an ER or see a live view inside a cab.

Also it only saves videos with excessive speeds, g force or other potential unsafe driving events.

Firstly, thanks for all the responses. I may have been somewhat harsh with my original post and thanks for making the edits.. I am getting acquainted with this camera, so it's an adjustment.

I back up Swift, because I think it is a great company. However. I personally don't agree with their decision using cameras inside.

I realize the the underline purpose of the camera being safety. A couple weeks ago, I was almost hit by another truck when the driver went through a stop light talking on his cell phone.

It is that with the camera, like I read does not appear to be event driven. Another driver explained that during lunch he had covered the camera and a few minutes later received a message that it was against policy to tamper with it.

If the camera would shut off when the truck was at a stop still(ie breaks, sleeping, etc), I would be much more favorable towards them.

I am a private person and enjoy my privacy. I am going to have learn to live behind a curtain.

I understand that I am in a vehicle that is not owned by me and Swift makes the rules.

Maybe I am over sensitive about being recorded, but it just how I feel. Others probably have no problem being monitored.

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback and am glad I could get opinions from others from this forum. Appogies if I was over the top on my original post.