Lost! Back To Waiting Point ;(
Topic 14070 | Page 3
Well I got hammered! What did I say different than Errol? Your all but on the pay roll? Swift has lots of trainers, but no guarantee? You don't owe for school? If something is available you don't have to take it? You can go with another company, and not pay Swift? Best advice don't worry about being weeded out, all schools do that! And about freight being slow, I don't know but I've read several asking about miles and being told this is a slow time of the year. Bad assumption on me to think trucking might have a lax time. Thanks for setting me straight on that.
I read post of several new students are starting school with Swift this week. I wish the best for all. I too am starting school next week, and I'm thankful for all the help I've gotten. I'm not going to a Swift school but I have a pre-hire from them and I might be one of their rookies. With the help from this community I've managed to get my permit, choose a school, and get a ton of dumb questions answered. So next time I make another dumb remark feel free to set me straight.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Thanks everyone for the reply! I'm done with my DOT Physical. Tomorow I will get my permit.
Question: Do I need to take the pre-trip written?
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Flatie, each state does this a little differently. I'm not sure about Oklahoma. In most states you will do your pre-trip test when you are doing your final driving exam for the actual license itself. Also, in most states the pre-trip is an actual pre-trip inspection , where you are dong it in front of the examiner and verbally explaining to them what you are doing and looking for.
You will be taking some written tests (usually on a computer) for your permit, but the pre-trip will come later when you are doing the driving exam.
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
I know Swift is not your first choice. However I think you have heard it on this forum many, many times; a focused, determined, and safety conscience driver will succeed no matter what company you are working for. As you know a positive attitude is everything. You seem to have that trait, it will serve you well as you interact with other professionals and adjust to the challenges of the job.
Swift is a huge company but I believe their CDL schooling and subsequent road training (mentoring) is very good, and will sufficiently prepare you for the road ahead.
Good luck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Sorry to hear you had an issue Flatie... I guess when you finally do come through The Rock it will simply be passing through in a different company's truck. Hang in there and good luck with whichever company you choose!
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.