Profile For Traffic Jam

I always found that a little planning helps. Look ahead. If you are going to be out in the country it seems easier to find a church where parking is nearby and you can walk the little way to church. It's always worth it. My own church has streaming videos of church and I can call up the ones I miss.

Also, check out "Godtube.com" and you will find lots of worship services, preaching and teaching.

-Traffic Jam

Chandler G: Still with us in trucking?

Thanks for your service as a Sargent in Corrections. I too left Corrections after over 20 years and now am in trucking. Thanks for your service to our community and contributing to keeping us all safe.

-Traffic Jam

Just backing up for a moment . . . I wish to thank Swift Corsicana Academy/Swift in general.

What happened is I rolled over a 401(k) into another program and took out enough to pay the school off in one lump sum. For this I received a $1100.00 discount from Swift and I felt that was pretty nice of the company.

If you are thinking about the Swift Corsicana Academy please know that myself and two other friends who are all driving think it was great.

-Traffic Jam

7/6/17

At motel in Lancaster. Meet mentor this afternoon.

-Traffic Jam

6/29/17

Well, this IS a diary.

I have had a lot of patience and have gone to expense they said they would reimburse, and have waited. But perhaps you are right. I appreciate the feedback. I do hope it will work out.

-Traffic Jam

6/29/17, Thursday

I sent my documents requested from my Doctor to Swift on this last Tuesday. Wednesday they called to say they had sent them to their doctor that i saw who had requested these docs before he would release a DOT physical he did on me when i was down there two weeks ago. They told me he would call and let me know and then I am to call them back to coordinate a return (hopefully).

This is Thursday. I see Fourth of July fast approaching. This dragging out and I hope after all this waiting and expense and no reimbursement to anything, I am told no.

I am hopefully waiting, but have set a deadline for myself. If we reach it without hearing anything I will definitely move on.

-Traffic Jam

6/27/17 I received the statement from the doc today. I'll fax it to Swift first thing tomorrow. Hope to be accepted and in the program soonest!

Traffic Jam

Wow! Good advice here! I guess I did not read the fine print about it only costing me $2000 instead of $4000. That's great as I plan on working for them for at least a year. I am so impressed with them though I hope it works out to stay indefinitely(at Swift).

Thanks G-Town and Brett.

-Traffic Jam

6/24/17

I just completed Swift Driving Academy at Corsicana, TX.

One is not obligated to work for Swift after taking this course. I attended, completed the course, earned my CDL and decided to work for Swift. I enjoyed the school, felt it was terrific, and recommend it to you.

Whatever you do, try to complete the training offered on this website before you actually depart for school.

-Traffic Jam

6/22/17

Ok!

Went to the doc today and everything is fine. His statement to Swift will go down on Mon. So I have the weekend at home. On Mon I will wait to see what Swift says after they review the statement and all.

Hopefully I'll be on my way first part of next week. Of the four who graduated with cdl I know of two who are on the road right now. Two from the original fifteen. Hopefully, I will make it three first part of the week.

- Traffic Jam

Don't you know . . . slow is fast! (hopefully you are safer going slower. I think this is true to some extent.)

-Traffic Jam

6/19/17

Werner, thanks for this thread. I learned from reading it and the answers. I have not pulled Reefer, but there is always the future. Good luck to you on your work and relationship with Werner.

-Traffic Jam

6/18/17

Murderspolywog-thanks. Good advice! I appreciate the words and so applicable! Ha!

Well, I got the lawnmower running and everything is good here. It is a happy Father's Day and I hope each of you father's are having a nice day also.

-Traffic Jam

6/18/17

Man! Thanks for the good words. I will say while I was there they did want me to finish orientation, we're patient and courteous and encouraging. This again! I think you are right and I am taking a step back, taking a breath. Thank you Old School and Cornelius. I am renewing my commitment to entering this industry. Anything good like this is worth the effort.

-Traffic Jam

6/17/17

If and when I go back, assuming docs are in order, it will be the last try. If any more things get put in my way by Swift I will just opt out. At that point I will question whether they want me as a candidate. Why waste my time with them if that seems to be so.

Now. . . . to the lawn mower!

-Traffic Jam

6/17/16

Thanks very much Cornelius and Big-T. We are hoping.

They questioned me on my Rx and me and my doc had sent an updated list in. Bad thing though they had that they went by my original list I sent in with my original app. Because of their seeing that original list they sent me to their doc to do the repeat physical. He never said a word about all that and wants word about a blood thinner I am on. Ha! (Pull hair out!!)

Then when I am about to go home they give me a statement for my doc to complete about an Rx I am not on anymore. I guess they want documentation, and I know they do not want any impaired drivers, and they must be legally covered. It IS a patience builder.

It was a letdown to see everyone so excited and my new friends go with their mentor and all. I forced myself to quietly leave go out to my car and boogie for Plainview.

Silver lining: when I was down there my wife told me on one of the mornings our lawn mower was down. Now I can get it fixed for her, ha ha. I will have time to study stuff they gave us that other students are having to do on the truck. :-)

I did come away with my original DOT Physical. I made sure of that as I paid for it here at Plainview.

-Traffic Jam

6/16/17

Home now and will see my doctor when he returns to the office this Thursday. Then, assuming Swift receives everything they need I will be on my way back down to Lancaster.

The Orientation was pretty much what you would expect when you join a large company with a lot of organization built up. The pay scale seems very good with the different levels one may (any new driver) may attain in order to obtain significant raises. I was quite surprised and delighted about the set up.

I am expecting to return as my doctor is the one who originally gave me my DOT physical and sent me on my way so to speak. He did not have any problem with my existing Rxs so I don't think this will be a problem. But, . . . you can't argue with the doctor so there it is. Pony up time is this Thursday.

Thanks one and all for the help and support.

-Traffic Jam

6/14/17

Bit of a problem here, came up today. They looked at my old list of Rx prescriptions, though I had faxed in the new updated version and so even though my Doc did a qualifying DOT physical, and he is on their list of approved docs, they sent me to do a new physical with one of their local docs. I finished up with this doc at about 5:15 pm today.

He questioned and wanted documentation that a blood thinner I am on has not produced I'll affects upon me. This is after my doc originally prescribed it, then saw me about it a month later than whom gave me an approved DOT physical about a month later. This local doc who Swift consults has asked for a statement from my doc about this. I have the request I and so assume I will learn tomorrow.

SO it was frustrating. Clearly this is out of my control and so I have prayed about it and am hoping for the best tomorrow. Your thought s and prayers are sure appreciated. To come this far, to spend the money on the Academy and to be stopped at last minute will be very discouraging. I have decided to accept what they decide, and so there it is.

Other than that today was filled with the requisite new job details, i.e., drug screen, paperwork, beginning of safety training. Saw some friends from the Academy, and made a bunch new ones. Had a good time.

Night. 0500 comes early.

-Traffic Jam

I would contribute by saying once parked and getting out or going anywhere always check out your six, swivel head, be aware of your environment.

-Traffic Jam

6/13/17

Haw haw! You guys are a riot!

Well, I am here checked in at the Days Inn at Lancaster, TX where Swift puts us up for orientation. Pretty nice hotel, although I am easily pleased. Got a room mate and we are cooling off. I am all set for tomorrow, settled in here and all. Had a SALADO from Walmart for dinner. Yummmmm, love that SWIFT Salad.

Was here at the hotel check in desk and a rough looking guy came up and identified as a Swifty. I asked him for directions to the terminal and he got exasperated with me. Said if I could not find it I was probably didn't belong in trucking! Ha! I said to myself, "welcome to Swift", then I had to correct myself. I thought of the excellent instructors at the Academy, and all and Swiftys here at TT. So it was a brief .... "moment" and I put it behind me quickly.

In the morning we start at 6:00 a.m. -start early, end early!

Ok. Enough of my chatter. Night.

-Traffic Jam