Swift, Prime Or FFE?

But most importantly, just keep a great attitude and take things one day at a time. Don't set any goals other than to learn all you can each day, get along well with people, focus on safety first at all times, and try to enjoy yourself.

There are going to be ups and downs, especially those first few months. Expect it. There will be times you might think Swift was the wrong choice. There might be times you think trucking was the wrong choice. And there will be times you and your trainer will want to choke each other. Expect it, and remember it's all just temporary. Get through it one day at a time and stay focused on the ultimate goal right now which is to get one year of safe driving under your belt.

Some of the best advice I've heard. Those of us who are new drivers just have to keep it in perspective. We've got our CDLs, now we just need to relax and move ahead. The bad days will be there, but keeping a good attitude will pay off in so many ways.

Amtrak ticket purchased. Set out on Sunday at 10:25am. Orientation at the Swift terminal in Lathrop, CA.

Hey congrats man! That's awesome news!

Day 1 of orientation is over. Passed the road test and my physical. We were at the clinic for 5 1/2 hours getting our physicals done. That was draining! Tomorrow and Wednesday are classroom days and then we should be out with our mentors right after that. I could definitely tell, today, that it as been 9 months since I last drove an 18 wheeler. Looking forward to some good training as we crisscross the country!

Very cool! Looking forward to hearing how it goes out there for ya

Well, a little set back today! One of my medications is not allowed to be taken earlier than 10 hours befor I drive, so that is a problem. On the train heading home to visit with my Dr and get my medication changed. I will then head back up to Stockton next Monday and finish my orientation. They had this medication on my application. Why they chose to tell me after I got here, God only knows!

Hey Brent, I am getting ready to go into trucking and I am worried about some of my meds. I am not asking what they are I just wanted to say I am sorry that this happened. Best of luck Kevin

Only a DOT doctor will be familiar with the meds that are forbidden, so alot of times you won't know until you get to your school. Now I'm sure the recruiter could send you a list...but they apparently don't get paid for that...it would be to easy. I"m sure there is an alternate drug that you can take to replace most that are forbidden...just check with your doctor.

Yeah, that kind of stuff is totally avoidable on the company's end. That's just typical at any large company, inside or outside of the trucking industry. There's just so much going on that a lot of details get missed. You said you put it on the application so obviously someone should have checked into it but they dropped the ball. What can ya say? A lot of people are not very good at what they do.

Oh well. You'll be able to get it switched out and you'll be back there in no time. A bit of a pain, but ultimately it won't affect anything which is great!

Just keep smiling and don't think anything of it. This kind of stuff happens daily in the trucking industry. You'll see what I mean very soon. You keep your sanity by not letting the little things bother you. That is seriously one of the most important traits for any driver - patience and tolerance. You'll need it every day of your life out there so I guess now is as good a time as any to start practicing

So, I called Swift headquarters in Phoenix and there safety compliance department told me that any medication taken for anxiety is under there 10 hour rule of no driving. That is swift policy! So, if I have to take my meds at a certain time each day, how can I not refuse loads due to taking a 10 hour break after each time I take the medication? The answer they gave me, and I quote, "I don't know"! So, if I take this medication at 7 each morning, that would mean I have to take a 10 hour break every morning. The problem is, trucking does not operate on that kind of schedule. Why didn't they tell me this when I sent in my application and told my recruiter about these meds? I am very disappointed in swift right now! I mean, I quit my job of 6 1/2 years!