Profile For Idaho noob

Foot on brake, let clutch out very slow when the truck starts to tilt that's when you can rrelease the brake and slowly let out clutch more. Never let off brakes until this point or you'll roll back and never roll back then let clutch out to catch it as the torque literally twists **** in half.

If u roll back push in brake and try again and try to relax, do not let the 4 wheelers or your mentor bother you.

You are there to learn don't try to be an ace just be patient and take your time and be safe most of all.

I know I had alot of issues because of anxiety I didn't want to hold up traffic and blah blah now I just ignore them and I'm my own world if they need to pass they'll pass.

Hang in there man you got this, if I can do it you can!

I couldn't even leave my house for 6 years due to panic attacks now I command an 80,000lb cruise missle!

Depends on company. At Swift when you get your truck you inspect it and write down what you need and visit the parts desk. Get new chains for free, get yourself 4 load locks for free as well some spare wiper blades spare fuses and headlight bulb.

If you do have to buy load locks send a message to ur DM first to get approval then just scan receipt for $ back on payday.

Stuff they don't provide you'll want a heavy duty push broom just bungee it to the back of the cab... buy 2 gallons of washer fluid and keep jugs to refill and a jug of oil. One or two pair of gloves only for fueling. Then a pair of gloves for everything else. Uhh hand sanitizer lots of it! Windex for mirrors. Standard crap, PPE hard hat, boots, reflective vest and safety gogglespecially.

List stuff you pay for and want

PPE- high visibility vest, gloves, goggles, boots, hard hat Push broom Windex Paper towels Washer fluid for the jugs Gallon of oil keep jug Fueling gloves Working gloves Pens Accordion folder for bills of lading Stapler Staple remover Office orginazizers Sterlite plastic shelves (handy in cascadia for misc stuff and organizing small snacks!) Small notebook to write down trip information (pick up # etc)

List goes on just stuff to make your life easier

I'm buying a cordless leaf blower I'm sick of sweeping dirty trailers that lazy half ton drivers left messy >:]

Hi everyone, got a question. Are there certain items you have to purchase when you go solo? Chains, load locks etc I am talking about dry van and reefer. I know flatbed has straps, chains, and tarps. Do all companies do this. I have read on here about certain companies and having to pay back money owed on certain items. Just curious. Thanks

Agreed I fought hard to get an auto when I tested out in phoenix... they had 20 2016 auto cascadia and would not give me one... I tried and tried and got stuck with a pos 8 speed that slugs up hills. At least give me a 10 speed if I'm in a manual....

Thank God I'll go to an auto t680 soon. Automatic 13 speed better hill climb better hill decent and better mpgs and no shifting in stop and go. My knee hates rush hour shifting bring on autos baby.

I would pick the automatic. Why shift gears, especially in traffic. I have driven stick shift vehicles for the better part of 40 years. I think the "Automatic Trucks aren't REAL TRUCKS argument is mostly Ego. Hey its 2016! You can hardly find a stick shift car anymore, unless is a Performance car. I hope like hell that I get issued an automatic Truck when I test out with Swift next week. I am perfectly competent with a manual transmission, I just prefer the motto "Work Smarter not Harder !

Going o/of soon and looking to avoid idling when I'm stopped for the day and or night. Anyone here used a gas generator to run an ac unit? Was looking at the portable ac but has anyone used a window unit and just took it down before rolling again?

Also is there any regs about carrying gasoline? Like a 2-5gallon can strapped to deck securely or a 2gallon stashed in sidebox with the portable gunny?

Plan on getting a 2200 watt generac generator with build in inverter from lowes and debating on what kind of ac unit.

Don't ask for hometime do a macro 8nand set it. I have NEVER not gotten home the day I asked and it's usually a day early.

Well I don't know why it's this way but I am having difficulty with getting hometime. I live 3 hrs away from the terminal and they won't route me through there. I asked and I guess that is just the way it is. Any other swift guys with this problem? Or is it an issue with my home terminal?

I ignore terminal fueling especially west valley. I go where ever is the shortest route and reoptimize, I have had many dashboards and it's never a problem. The fuel route is computer generated and it's by who gave the cheapest fuel rate on the route.

They are more concerned with the GOAL messages than anything and no one actually gets out to look everytime as its pointless when you scouted your hole and can see it.

You need to have $$ for your state exam, permit,license,any endorsements. Food $$ while training. If u fail ur state exam you can retake but here in Idaho that's $60 gone and another $60 for 2nd test.

Always have a $$ buffer

Hi folks! I'm new here so I'm unsure how to do proper quotes, especially when it was found in another (unrelated) thread. But anyhow.... the below quote is a comment to a quote (if that makes any sense?! haha!). If anyone would mind elaborating on this topic for the newbies like myself, especially since I pretty much will be starting with *zilch*, that'd be awesome. Please keep in mind I'm not a "student" yet and have zero CDL training, much less am employed by any trucking company (in other words, keep it on the "dumb" beginners' level for this not-even-a-rookie newbie, thanks!)

original quote by: RhondaToo; comment on quote by: Brett Aquila

Now you see why I always tell everybody to save as much $ as possible before you get started, because it doesn't always go smoothly.

AMEN! To anyone considering getting into trucking, you'll want to have $1000-$2000 saved up if at all possible to get through the lean times during training and your initial few weeks on the road. If you get started in trucking with empty pockets, you're going to have a boatload of additional stress all the time. I'm fully aware that it's not always possible to save up some cash - so you gotta do what ya gotta do. But just understand that without any cash in your pockets, things are going to be very, very stressful.

I have a service dog vest for my dog he comes inside for showers. So if you see a tattood driver with a Siberian husky it's probably me.

Good call. I drive for Swift and they are very fair typical large company but good miles if you and ur DM get along.

We are trained and supposed to be going with Swift. Called them, but waiting on a return call.