Comments By Daniel H.

Jonathan,

I never finished High School either (made it through 10th grade) nor have I got a GED and I am starting the Swift Driving Academy on Jan 6th. I had FFE/KLLM Transportation, CRST, Central, and Transport America calling me after I filled out applications with them.

Whoo Hoo!! Congradulations!!

I wouldn't think that using a pill organizer would be a problem as long as you also had the pill bottles onboard.

The only laws that I have found that restrict smoking in a truck are while hauling Haz-Mat class 1(explosives), class 3(flammable liquids), or class 4(flammable solids).Nor any placarded cargo tanks used for hauling class 3(flammable liquids) or division 2.1(gases). When hauling any of these you are not allowed, nor should you allow anyone else, smoke within 25 feet of them, which will encompass the cab.

Thanks for this Brett!

Are you looking for comments and submissions?

For instance:

"Bulkhead A strong wall-like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer (or on the rear of the tractor) used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front-end collision. May also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer (also called a baffle for liquid trailers) used to partition the load."

...is also known as a 'Headache Rack'

If not, I'll just shut up and go sit in my corner again.

You're right except for the baffle part. Baffles are bulkheads that have holes in them that are placed in non-food grade tankers to slow the liquid and help control the forward and backward liquid surge in the tank. However it must be noted that baffles do nothing to alleviate the side to side surge that happens while turning.

Daniel H. Would you mind posting your experience with Swift in Lewiston. Have checked out their requirements to start and are in line with some of the other schools out of state. I have sometime before I will be able to start, so using trucking truth to be prepared . Best of Luck as you start your new adventure.

Yea Tracy I plan on keeping a log and posting it here on TT.

Brett,

I have already got my permit and all the endorsements except for the HAZ-MAT and I plan to take that one either today or tomorrow, I've had my fingerprints taken already. I've already taken the DOT physical and received my 2yr card.

I've never driven a big rig before so I haven't had the chance to learn any bad habits yet. I plan on taking as many notes as I can and to learn from as many instructors that I can as well.

I'll keep everyone here posted on my progress. I hope you had a merry christmas.

Daniel.

Thanks Logan. Will do. I plan on taking my WA state HM test next Tuesday. The pre-trip is bugging me mostly because I have no way to get to a truck to see it first hand and I learn easiest by doing and seeing. I guess self imposed after hours training will be in order.

As far as the trainer goes I'll hope for the best but first things first. Jan 6th. Then Jan 7th.

I will do as you say and take notes. I'm the secretary for a tractor club so that part should be easier for me than most others. Open book tests will do me good.

OMG I'm so nervous and I don't even start for 2 weeks.

Getting a copy of my SSI card is the only thing that could delay my start in the Swift driving academy. I applied for it on 12/17 and they say I'll get it in 2 weeks (12/31) I leave for the academy on 1/4 or 1/5 to start on 1/6. My recruiter told me that having that card IS A MUST. If I don't have it then he'll postpone my start date.

Ya know, there's just sooooo many details a driver has to take care of day in and day out that sometimes people can get lazy or complacent. Just when you think you have this job figured out it will throw you a curve ball and you'll realize once again just how quickly things can go wrong out there. It takes an incredible amount of discipline and focus to maintain that safety record out there. There are a thousand things have to go right to get through the day safely but only one thing has to go wrong to screw it all up.

It is something to remember that one forgotten thing, careless moment, or one undouble-checked latch can truly cost real world lives. Complacency is an enemy that we all must be ever vigilant against.