Profile For William W.

Day 9

Driving on rookie road! They teach proper shifting techniques. I'm used to floating but they make you double clutch. But it's just all about timing. I did so well I got to drive on the interstate and back to the yard! Half day of driving.

Day 10.

Another day of driving. This time on city streets. Making lots of turns. Another half day driving. Monday I think we go on the road the whole day! But for now I'm gonna enjoy my Saturday and Sunday off. Back at it monday

Day 7. Off.

Day 8.

Another full day in the backing yard. Finding out who has it and who needs work. Quite a few that just do not understand how to move at trailer at all or don't understand setting up correctly is key. But we're here to learn and there's plenty of time to learn. Once again listen and follow directions and it will work. Another full day in the backing yard tomorrow. And those of us that execute the backing procedures properly aren't allowed to give help or advice any more. Those who are struggling are on their own. Back at it tomorrow!

From what I can see they are still under Swifts wing they are working on moving them out. There's a mix of Swift and central trucks and trailers.

Do yourself a favor and don't go there. Walk right down the road and join up at swift. You won't regret it

Day 6.

All day in the yard! Managed to maintain 100% accuracy today! Pulled off all three backing procedures perfectly 4 times in a row! Make sure to LISTEN to the instructors. They will teach you exactly what you need to know! Don't over think it, just do as your told. They have a system. It works! Day off tomorrow so back at it monday!

Thanks for the updates. The Swift/Central route is the one I am going if I take the company sponsored option. The recruiter I talked with was very helpful.

No problem! I'll continue with this every day! Ask any questions and I will answer to my knowledge!

Day five.

First full day in the yard! Straight line backing. It was a Cakewalk. I've had prior experience so most of this is normal for me. But most of us had it by the end of the day. As for tomorrow those of us that straght backed perfectly get to start offset backing and if we do good on that, parallel for the rest of the day!

That's it for today!

Day 3. Day off!

Day 4.

Spent half of the day in classroom going over pre trip inspection. And making copies of your liscence and medical cards. Took lunch, then off to the yard to put our hands on the parts and actually do pre trip. No driving today. All the fun starts tomorrow!

Day 2.

Today was another half day. Went over the shift patterns. Then we had to fill out "the beast" as they call it. It's just your contract for the school loan. No credit check or anything like that. $4400 total cost for school and room. Make sure you have at least 5 people's info to put down as contact info and their addresses. If you have any debt. You must list them all and know about what the pay off would be. Make sure if you rent or live with someone you have the landlord or owners info also. It will speed things up tremendously. Got out around noon and ate the 5.50 lunch (clamp chowder and a grilled ham and cheese, VERY GOOD) make sure to ask if you can go to the yard and check out the trucks while you have the free time. It's always better to actually put your hands on the components of the truck. Get in that thing and practice moving the shifter arouns and get a feel for the clutch. Go over pre trip inspection. If you spend a little time like I did it will be a cake walk. And also go and talk with the drivers! Some of them have some good knowledge and can help you! Go out and talk to the yard instructors and introduce yourself. Making good impressions on these guys might help in the long run. Oh and you will also receive some homework, wich I'm about to start now. Looks to be basic things that you need to know and all the answers are in the cheat sheets they give you from day one. But that's all for today! You get your first Wednesday off and class starts at 7 on Thursday. So I'll make a new post then!

Day one. Made it to SLC yesterday! Two days on a bus was horrible but we're here now! Today consisted of drug test and making sure cdl permits and dot physicals were all in order. We were told about pay and bonuses. Pretty good deal as far as money goes. Starting pay is 36 cpm. With quarterly bonuses based on performance. 2500 mile per week average. Not too bad for a first year driver from what I gather from this site and others.

Tomorrow we do all the nessacary paperwork and whatnot. Supposed to start in the yard Wednesday or Thursday.

Any questions. Just ask!