My Swift Journey, Cont.

This is a continuation of my previous Swift training thread.

Today, my mentor and I went through Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Washington, where we're camped for the night. I've been getting a lot of driving time in and I'm loving it so far. I also got in some backing practice at a Flying J this afternoon. My mentor is very patient and explains his backing technique very well. We're only about 3 hours out from our delivery which isn't scheduled til the 8th, so we made good time. I got the pleasure of creeping down a couple of 6% grades, so that experience was definitely beneficial to me. I was starting to lose focus so I told my mentor I needed to stop so here we are. He was very understanding and said he would rather I do what I did than keep going and possibly hurt someone.

Looks like you're set up for a great learning experience with a great mentor!

Good luck, Lemmy_Lives!

Looks like you're set up for a great learning experience with a great mentor!

Good luck, Lemmy_Lives!

Thanks Errol! When I make it down Memphis way I'll be sure to see if you're in town so we can catch up!

Hey Lemmy_lives, great read. Sounds like your getting good miles. I was wondering about Flatie haven't seen her post in a while. Just wanted to let you know I'm still reading and enjoying your journey.

Hey Lemmy...that's awesome. Sounds like you got paired with a good trainer. I have very good memories of my mentoring phase with Swift, hopefully you will too. Take it all in, good luck and safe travels.

Thanks everybody. I've been getting a taste of mountain driving the last couple of days...not a fan. Lol

I actually spoke to Flatie the other day. She's going to orientation with Maverick this week, I believe.

I forgot to mention one of the mountain passes I took was Cabbage. Slow and steady, that's all I can say.

Delivered my first load today to the Costco DC in Sumner WA. My mentor had me back into the dock...there was plenty of pull-up room, but man that space looked small with a truck sitting on both sides of my lane. My mentor is slowly giving me less and less backing instruction so I can figure out what works for me...he basically just watches to make sure I'm not going to hit anything (which I almost did...darn drive wheels lol). I'm slowly getting the hang of it I think.

Next load is going to Idaho after a pickup 15 miles away. Unfortunately since we were on the move this morning, we won't have time to pick up and get down the road. The load won't be ready until 7pm, so here we sit...

Well today I almost screwed up. We were pulling into a truck stop in Yakima which turned out to be full. As we were headed to the exit from the truck stop a truck was parking right on the side of it (not a good idea). I went to pull out and thought I was supposed to turn right but I was supposed to turn left. I got flustered but I was already committed to my right hand turn. Suddenly my mentor pulled the brakes on me...my trailer almost hit the guy parking in the exit. He pulled me from the seat so he could get us out of there. He was upset for a while but he calmed down and explained why he was upset and what I did wrong (not watching my trailer). Ordinarily I do watch it but I got panicked in all the chaos. Not an excuse but it is what it is. I definitely learned a few lessons today though...make sure you know where you're going, and WATCH THE TRAILER.

Well today I almost screwed up. We were pulling into a truck stop in Yakima which turned out to be full. As we were headed to the exit from the truck stop a truck was parking right on the side of it (not a good idea). I went to pull out and thought I was supposed to turn right but I was supposed to turn left. I got flustered but I was already committed to my right hand turn. Suddenly my mentor pulled the brakes on me...my trailer almost hit the guy parking in the exit. He pulled me from the seat so he could get us out of there. He was upset for a while but he calmed down and explained why he was upset and what I did wrong (not watching my trailer). Ordinarily I do watch it but I got panicked in all the chaos. Not an excuse but it is what it is. I definitely learned a few lessons today though...make sure you know where you're going, and WATCH THE TRAILER.

Your mentor is really focused on your learning and highly attentive. You're lucky. Glad you did not make any contact. We are constantly faced with the unexpected. Always be prepared and try to keep your cool. I guarantee that if faced with a similar situation in the future, you will not panic.