Getting My Bearings To Set Sail In A Big Rig.
Topic 1384 | Page 2
Well it's official. I set out Sunday at 9:30 from the bus depot in Jacksonville, FL for Millington, TN for two weeks and then to Ocala, FL for a week with Swift. Getting things squared away here at home. Changing breaks and getting the wife's car up to snuff for my absence. Packing clothes and toiletries and everything I may need for training. Got to get some cashiers checks for school fees. Trying to get my thoughts in order for the beginning of my new career. Wish me luck.
Congrats man! Sounds like things are moving at lightning speed all of a sudden. I hadn't checked on this thread for a little while, and it sure has taken an interesting turn. Hang in there, it will be tough at first, but once you get going solo things will all settle down into a new and more enjoyable learning curve.
HEY!
Sorry to disappear. Long and short 2 weeks in Millington, TN with Swift a week in Ocala, FL for driver training and now I have 83 hours left of 240 behind the wheel training with a mentor. I will admit Swift is very fast paced but they work with those that can't keep up. Oh yeah, I got my CDL class A. The family is adjusting and every day offers new challenges. Mostly with where to park 53 feet of trailer and 24 ft of tractor, 40 acres I think the song said.
Well I only had a little bit as running team with a mentor you pretty much have time to drive, eat, sleep, and oh yeah use the bathroom.
Will check back once I go solo with my assigned truck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Very cool! Looking forward to it!
Well 30 hours to go. I think I am going to request regional once I have finished training with my mentor. Not so sure if I want to tackle northern snow covered mountains quite yet. Being a Florida boy all my life and doing my mentor training on a semi local/regional route I think I want to switch to OTR in like 6 months when the roads aren't iced and snow covered. Next week this boy becomes a man with his own assigned truck. Then the journey really begins.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Nice! Steppin up to the big time!!! 
I think your plan of staying South over the winter is a smart one. I was born and raised outside of Buffalo, NY and driving in the snow with no experience would be really, really stressful. You could totally do it - plenty of people have. But it would be a lot better getting some time under your belt down South before taking a shot at the snow.
Other good news.
The Walmart DC/ Swift terminal safety manager told me that in 6 months I should apply for a local route with them. Apparently they like my work ethic and the way I drive. Keeping fingers crossed.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Well all training and testing done. Once I finished I got to have a meeting with the Swift/Walmart Terminal Manager and he asked if I wanted to keep rolling from that terminal on the dedicated regional route. It means I would be a slip seat driver running in a day cab , it also means I will be home most nights with the family. It looks like they liked what they saw from my abilities and work ethics. Everything has fallen into place just the way I had hoped. I couldn't have made a better decision than with Swift Transport for my training and experience over the next couple years. Thanks for all the insight and practice this site has given me.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Day Cab:
A tractor which does not have a sleeper berth attached to it. Normally used for local routes where drivers go home every night.
That's awesome news man! Congrats!
Indeed they certainly must have liked the work you did. That Walmart gig should be a great one!
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Swift Transport Becoming A Truck Driver Company Sponsored CDL Training
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Apparently I will be running out of the Ocala, FL hub which is only 2 hours from where I live, so it should be okay till I can find something local in about 26 months from when I go solo. I am for sure taking advantage of the tuition reimbursement starting on month 14.