Failed Werner Now Heading To Swift

When I was a trainer for Werner a few years ago the students would have a sheet with a bunch of lines on it. Each line was to be filled out with a backing, what type it was, and location. Somewhere around 25 ti 30 lines. Does this sound familiar?

You need to go out with a trainer and do what the program is telling you to do and if you're not doing it, get another trainer. There's a lot of bad trainers out there.

When I was a trainer for Werner a few years ago the students would have a sheet with a bunch of lines on it. Each line was to be filled out with a backing, what type it was, and location. Somewhere around 25 ti 30 lines. Does this sound familiar?

You need to go out with a trainer and do what the program is telling you to do and if you're not doing it, get another trainer. There's a lot of bad trainers out there.

Actually thats exactly what it was but he filled it out only twice and didnt use it ever again. He says he doesnt do things as normal trainers. And Werner wants to act like its all on me and its like if I got more practice I could get it. Swift says I will get 80 backing maneuvers I must complete so I feel confident about that. I wanna show all the people and the super truckers on here I will do it. I know my grandpappy wasnt a trucker nor my whole generation of family but I can do it...

I’ve read along and it sounds to me like the OP was being trained by a lease operator. I have seen the scenario he described before, too many times. They usually tell the student they are paying for the fuel and only do enough to sign them off. I’m sorry a handful of backing situations is not even close to enough, my opinion.

Sid Roehl did the same thing back in my day. The trainer had to fill out the log sheet specifically to do with backing. I think it was 40 or so, but was also a 9-14 day period with the trainer. Either way I was lucky and had great trainers. They both had me doing at least 5-6 backs a day usually more.

Actually he was a company driver but had his ways of doing things. I expressed my concerns and he let me try at the truck stops but when he needed it in there fast he would take over because I was slow. Just wish I could get a trainer who would do more for me and help me get this backing thing down.

So I’m a newbie also got my CDL in June of this year. I struggled with my backing at school but managed to pass the maneuver test. I took a job at a local dairy as a yard driver...lol 😝😳🙃🙂... and I’m glad I did. All you do around here is back up!! My backing has improved 💯! It actually isn’t a bad job...pay is ok and benefits are great. I’m gonna stick around for a little while anyways and consider to hone my backing skills. I guess my point is don’t give up and don’t beat yourself up....it’ll come to you

Hey bro thanks for your kind comment and I will keep at it and just try to back all the time so I can be better. Its hard when people dont understand or just belittle you but whatever gotta get it done...

Chris wants this...

Just wish I could get a trainer who would do more for me and help me get this backing thing down.

Chris backing proficiency requires hundreds upon hundreds of repetitions just to become adequate. Practice! I’ve literally backed a trailer about 10,000 times and I still on occasion foul the setup.

Like PackRat said (and he was not belittling you) you must own your training and be your own advocate. Do not allow what happened at Werner to repeat itself at Swift. There are good trainers and not so good trainers at V every company... it’s a crapshoot. Interview your trainer...make sure expectations are clearly stated, understood and agreed upon. Don’t just go along for the ride... own your training.

"Good for you man. I'll do my thing"?

How's that working out for you?

That's the final time I try to assist you. Done with this one.

I went through the training process with Werner not so long ago. My trainer filled out the backing logs only to help me focus, but orientation did tell me that the backing log and number of backs were my responsibility. Did he (your trainer) send reports saying that you might not work out? I’m not trying to be derogatory but something seems to be missing. Maybe you were at a different location than I was but they gave people a lot of chances on stuff they needed help with when I was there.

Is there a certain part of the backing process that is getting you? If you let us know where you are having issues we may be able to give some pointers. Good luck on your opportunity with swift!

"Good for you man. I'll do my thing"?

How's that working out for you?

That's the final time I try to assist you. Done with this one.

K

I hope things work out for you at Swift. You seem to have thin skin if you're offended by what Packrat said. Is it possible your attitude played a role in Werner releasing you? These companies invest alot of time and resources into training new drivers and aren't going to just get rid of you because you struggle like most people fresh out of school. With nearly every company as long as you're showing improvement and a willingness to succeed they'll work with you.

I'm not being accusatory, but is it possible you copped an attitude or played the blame game on why your skills weren't where they wanted? Did you and your trainer have any verbal disagreements that went over the line? Something just doesnt add up here. Many of us had never backed a trailer prior to CDL school. Its taken several months to become very proficient in it and our companies stood by us while we got the hang of it. Something just doesnt add up here.

Regardless, I agree with Packrat that it's your training and you need to own it. You came here asking for help and copping an attitude with anyone here when YOU asked US for assistance isn't going to end up the way you'd like. You'll find your questions going unanswered when you need help the most. We work alot of hours and volunteer our time on this forum to help. If I only have a small amount of time I'll offer advice to someone that will seem to appreciate it than someone that's always trying to dismiss any advice offered because they've already got it all figured out.

Hey everyone,

Need some general advice. First my name is Chris and I am a new CDL holder just trying to find my way in trucking. I will humble myself that I am new and know barely anything about trucking but open to learning and trying my best. I finished with Roadmaster and was hired by Werner. I went with a trainer and he was a nice guy. I had a lot of problems with my backing (45) and my trainer let me back sometimes albeit not nearly enough in my opinion. I mostly drove straight down the interstate for my training for 4 1/2 weeks. I went back to the terminal tried to test out but didn’t do very well and was released (exact words used). I felt bad about myself and thought maybe I was hopeless. The next day started applying for jobs and narrowed it down to Swift and start their driver orientation training October 7th. My thought was will I ever be able to get the backing aspect of trucking technique? Werner was quick to dismiss me and I didnt feel good about it, however its not my nature to bash anyone and I take full responsibility as an adult that I need to get better. Does anyone have any advice for me going forward? I really want to do this job and open to do whatever it takes. Thank you all in advance...

Congratulations on getting an orientation with Swift. I was accepted and set up to attend orientation with them this past week, but they changed there 3 years of solid work history to 10 years of solid work history and most of my work history was for a farm with no contract, and I didn't register my business with the state of Illinois and the IRS until a year and a half ago. They turned me down because I didn't have a contract employment for a solid 10 years. Good luck to you!

Hey everyone,

Need some general advice. First my name is Chris and I am a new CDL holder just trying to find my way in trucking. I will humble myself that I am new and know barely anything about trucking but open to learning and trying my best. I finished with Roadmaster and was hired by Werner. I went with a trainer and he was a nice guy. I had a lot of problems with my backing (45) and my trainer let me back sometimes albeit not nearly enough in my opinion. I mostly drove straight down the interstate for my training for 4 1/2 weeks. I went back to the terminal tried to test out but didn’t do very well and was released (exact words used). I felt bad about myself and thought maybe I was hopeless. The next day started applying for jobs and narrowed it down to Swift and start their driver orientation training October 7th. My thought was will I ever be able to get the backing aspect of trucking technique? Werner was quick to dismiss me and I didnt feel good about it, however its not my nature to bash anyone and I take full responsibility as an adult that I need to get better. Does anyone have any advice for me going forward? I really want to do this job and open to do whatever it takes. Thank you all in advance...

Congratulations on getting an orientation with Swift. I was accepted and set up to attend orientation with them this past week, but they changed there 3 years of solid work history to 10 years of solid work history and most of my work history was for a farm with no contract, and I didn't register my business with the state of Illinois and the IRS until a year and a half ago. They turned me down because I didn't have a contract employment for a solid 10 years. Good luck to you!

So far so good they told me to complete these videos and will spend time doing just that. Swift seems like the place that is better organized than werner and just dont wanna sit next to a bunch of super truckers who brag about backing while scratching their huge gut and picking their black teeth. I will get backing and I dont have to be in the good ole boys club to get it. Thanks for your reply and actually being sincere. Will let you know my progress.