Looks Like I Am Going To Be A Swiftie!!!!!
Topic 18832 | Page 5
Errol V. I am glad you said something cause I was getting worried how I was going to be using my 34 hour reset. Errol V., what do you do for your resets? Give me a few ideas. Right now I play my American Truck Simulator and a paint ball game. Different type of paint ball but it is anyways. 5 weeks is not too bad I would say! TMC is like 7. I think it is going to be a lot of fun for me! So cannot wait to jump in the truck and start work
Don't use me as a good example for 34 reset activity. I mostly updated posts on Trucking Truth.
Laundry is always a priority. Make sure you are at a Truck Stop with Washers and Dryers.
Victor-- They told me to plan on 5wks Training, afted Orientation. Recruiter said Mentors don't take Home Time, so we won't be stuck in a motel for 2 days. Or if they do, Swift pays for our lodging.
G.Town, Errol, et al-- How do we spend, or what do we do, for 34hr reset? Sit in our bunks? Eeeek!
Don-- I got my CDL over a year ago, failed to find any local work, and only Swift and US Xpress would hire and train me. I really burned myself by waiting so long, and got really depressed as I crossed off company after company. Not trying to bring you down! Just my own experience...
KaTow, No problem & I understand! I learned some from this site and when I was reviewing SCHNEIDER, if I recall right the site said of 6 months has passed since getting the CDL then will require training/schooling. No biggie for me. Since I am single & do not care of gone most of the time "OTR" sure local will be nice, but as I have read on this site, get the One year OTR experience then it can be easier to get what you want. When my Mom had her stroke I held off applying to be close by as needed. One company I asked if I can be home by such a date, they could not promise that as I would be in "training" After I attend My Mom's memorial service on April 1st then the following week I will apply to a few companies. I want a "big" company as they have the variety of loads. Glad your trucking soon!
Thanks, Don
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
KaTow's mystery:
G.Town, Errol, et al-- How do we spend, or what do we do, for 34hr reset? Sit in our bunks? Eeeek!
Well, you could get in the bunk, zip up your sleeping bag and hibernate for a day and a half. Fire up your gaming computer. Sit in front and watch all the other drivers try to back in to slots.
Most common, though, is to take it easy, get a car and go somewhere, catch a movie, visit a local friend/ neighbor/ army buddy/ relative, do your taxes, whatever - it's truly your own time.
But when your 34 hours are up, you must be rested and sober, ready to hit the road and drive for up to 11 hours that day.
I was saying in one post that I am not concerned about "Hometime" so I hope to work for a big company that does 48 states so where I am on my 34 hour reset that I can go sight seeing!
Victor the absolute best I can offer is take it one step and one day at a time. Never let the highs get you too high, or lows get you too low. Even keel...
As part of your training, you'll be required to perform 40 backing maneuvers. Every chance you get, "back the truck". If your mentor's truck has a CB, turn it off when you get to a TS...all the haters will be on, cheering your arrival.
Learn the Qualcomm , elogs , and the frequently used and required macros. It's your primary communication tool with driver leaders and a permanent record documenting your interaction and driving path.
Do your PTI...never skip it no matter how pressured for time you feel. Which brings me to my final piece of advice: don't rush, take your time, "watch your wagon", and "never let the chaos of the moment compromise good, safe judgement".
Good luck and safe travels.
Very sound advice I just started my PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase. I have driven about 800 of the required 10k miles. Patience is key, I'm kind of glad the Prime trucks are governed so low. The rig you will be in is a beast to control, and in the beginning will take a lot of attention to maintain control. I really don't do anything but check my mirrors constantly and what's a head of me. No radio or anything. I drink and eat when we stop. 100% focus on learning to control the truck, and all the info my trainer gives me.
Elog:
Electronic Onboard Recorder
Electronic Logbook
A device which records the amount of time a vehicle has been driven. If the vehicle is not being driven, the operator will manually input whether or not he/she is on duty or not.
Elogs:
Electronic Onboard Recorder
Electronic Logbook
A device which records the amount of time a vehicle has been driven. If the vehicle is not being driven, the operator will manually input whether or not he/she is on duty or not.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
Ok Errol V., and great advice also from Eric G.!
It is nerve racking to wait for two weeks to be up or almost two weeks to be up til I call Gary my recruiter up again to confirm my start date. I am sorta frustrated because I am still between quitting my current job because there's no way that I am going to be able to give them any kind of notice after orientation that I am quitting the job. I don't want a bad rep but I don't want to jeopardize the trucking job so in reality I really don't know what to do. It's annoying because the job that I am at is not a very good place to work and if you give them any kind of notice they'll just tell you that you might as well go and get started and if I've given them a two week notice they will have me out 2 weeks of pay and I cannot afford that at this time to do that. Any advice would be much much appreciated.
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I bet the sleeping bag will be will primary, as a newbie. Followed by watch parking lot antics!
Thanks!