Going To Swift Now...

The Swift program must have changed since Daniel was on board. My Swift mentor is a company driver (He said he was Platinum level & I believe it.)

I drove 50 seat-hours with Terry in the passenger seat, monitoring my driving. All the timing was based on my HOS , so we both knocked off & got up together. Terry was always awake while i was driving.

After the 50, we did switch to team, and the rule was when the privacy curtain was closed, the driver was on his own (except for emergencies, etc.). Yes, when we both were awake, one drove & the other might sit on the passenger seat.

Terry always got up when I stopped for pickups & deliveries. If you're going to be a mentor, Dennis, work it like this.

So I jumped to Swift from Werner for orientation next week. This info helped, but I couldn't get Werner to give me in writing that I'll be home for that first week of June. With Swift I'll have finished my training by then so it's a non-issue. Also-Swift will be able to get me out west to/from my parents houses a bit easier as they have terminals near both of them as well as here in Florida.

I feel a lot better now that I know I wont be starting my career with a potential 'recruiter promised' he said/she said isssue. Pay and benefits seem the same.

I guess I better get my hair cut for the in cab cameras!!! (this is funny because I'm bald). ;)

Well, welcome to Swift, J Snow. If you're in Florida, you should be going to Memphis. If so, PM to me, maybe we can meet up.

The Memphis school is all brand new (exceptn' the trucks). Even new cones for you to run over!!

Nope-Going to Ocala, FL. :)

Nope-Going to Ocala, FL. :)

For the CDL Academy??

The were people in my Memphis class who came up for school then went to Ocala for the road portion /state CDL testing.

I have my CDL. Got it last week. I'm golden. I'm doing orientation in Ocala and heading out with my Mentor from there. :)

Also-I remember now that Swift is shifting to Automatics... Wonder if when I get assigned a truck I'll get one of those... Doesn't matter much, just curious. How long were you with your Mentor?

I have my CDL. Got it last week. I'm golden. I'm doing orientation in Ocala and heading out with my Mentor from there. :)

Also-I remember now that Swift is shifting to Automatics... Wonder if when I get assigned a truck I'll get one of those... Doesn't matter much, just curious. How long were you with your Mentor?

J.Snow, welcome to Swift! Training with a mentor lasts 4-6 weeks. After your mentor signed you off, you will be back to a terminal for test out, which involves couple left/right turns, accel/decel driving, and some backing in the yard. When you passed your test out, you may have your company truck to play with. :)

I've seen those 2016' automatic trucks in Phoenix terminal. But I never drove one, although my first truck was 12' volvo auto, they are different I believe. I like stick shift better, but that's just me.

I have my CDL. Got it last week. I'm golden. I'm doing orientation in Ocala and heading out with my Mentor from there. :)

Also-I remember now that Swift is shifting to Automatics... Wonder if when I get assigned a truck I'll get one of those... Doesn't matter much, just curious. How long were you with your Mentor?

Yes, with a complete CDL in your pocket, all you need is the three day in processing, then the mentor ride.

That's 50 driving hours that you drove and your mentor is (supposed to be) in the passenger seat every mile. You both work on your HOS clocks. After that first week you roll team for the next 400 (your drive time) hours. Team being 24/7 with your individual HOS clocks. (You get paid by the hour for this ride, so drive really safe, if you know what I mean!)

Back to the terminal for o n e - m o r e short road test, then it's truck time! I don't know how Swift will handle the stick/auto question. They still have hundreds of stick shifters they need to drive out the miles on.

CONGRATS! And good luck!!

All good. Honestly-I don't care much about the transmission. My biggest thing is I need to be thru training by Jun 3rd. :) I think we will be ok.

Well, welcome to Swift, J Snow. If you're in Florida, you should be going to Memphis. If so, PM to me, maybe we can meet up.

The Memphis school is all brand new (exceptn' the trucks). Even new cones for you to run over!!

My mento recently got one of the memphis "graduates" and kicked him off the truck within 3 days. The guy could not shift could not turn and barely was able to brake.

My mentor is the type of guy who gets along with anyone and will teach anyone wiling to learn. If he gives you the boot you are way too dangerous to be on the road...

New school or not from what i hear Memphis is not starting out right as far as the school goes