Coded Today With Swift

I know its just the beginning but it seems like I have climbed a mountain. One of the best things about this journey has been Trucking Truth. What you read across the internet about these companies is completely false. Trucking Truth is the only place I found factual information. Swift orientation was great, My recruiter did not make broad promises and everything he told me was true. I will be based out of Salt Lake City and cannot wait to see this place in the winter. It is beautiful here now. Orientation was hurry up and wait,, but seeing the amount of information that has to be collected, well it takes time. The whole ordeal took three days and was very informative. Swift has been very professional and expects the same from me, NOT A PROBLEM. We went over company policy, expectations, safety, and basically reviewed what we learned in our CDL class. I received a mentor that was my age and also from my home town. Everyone at orientation seemed to be getting mentors from their home towns. The terminal is quite large, and is very modern and it is a very very busy place. Hundreds of drivers passing through daily. But what made me step back, every driver was friendly and happy. I did not see one unhappy driver. So I go out with my mentor tomorrow and finally, see the light at the end of the tunnel. THANK YOU ALL

Brian aka Zero

Hi Brian please keep me updated with your training. I am starting my journey with Swift in September and I've been trying to get any and all information before I take this big step. Congrats and I hope all is going well!

A.K.A. Soon to be Newbie!

So far my first week was driving. Put in 2700 miles from Salt Lake to Minnesota, then Laredo, back to Minnesota. My mentor is fantastic and we get along great. A lot to learn, trip planning, operating hrs, qualcom. So far not any big mistakes. Driving is a lil tough in traffic though.

One problem has come up regarding my temp CDL. I will be on a temporary hold until I produce my hard CDL license. Well the hard cdl is in Las Vegas and I was in Houston. They did route me back to St George Utah, 2 hours from Vegas. This has been very very frustrating. So if you can, wait for your hard copy before you go out with a mentor. Trust me the small amount of wait is well worth it.

One problem has come up regarding my temp CDL. I will be on a temporary hold until I produce my hard CDL license. Well the hard cdl is in Las Vegas and I was in Houston. They did route me back to St George Utah, 2 hours from Vegas. This has been very very frustrating. So if you can, wait for your hard copy before you go out with a mentor. Trust me the small amount of wait is well worth it.

So you don't get your hard copy the same day? How long do you have to wait?

Sorry to hear that. So how has it been going other than that?

Took about a week and a half. Seems they all know you need it but getting you home is a problem. Not much has happened been on home time. Just going out now : )

Thank you for the information. Keep us posted with your journey. Details-Details-Details :) I want to hear about your experience.

Now the paperwork. I have to keep paper logs, which have to match the qualcom somewhat. My mentor is rather seious about on duty off duty status. Swift pays only for onduty/driving. So the mentor wants me off duty and swift wants me on. It has been an argument since I started so make sure that is cleared up. I am in Tacoma now and that drive from Vegas was awesome. I love the mountain driving, but msy not in the winter. : ) Ohh with the paperwork you have assesments and call in tests, plus you need to record each backing event. You need 40. The form has blind sides which they tell you not to do. No one has given me the same answer on that. Basically you get 3 or 4 different answers to every question you ask. Seroiusly. You also get different answers from the same person. To keep the peace do what mentor says. By far driving has been most relaxing. I have kept my home affairs in very good order and cannot tell you how important that is. It makes my driving so much better, I feel like a tourist. What a beautiful country we are blessed with.

Hey Sorry that it is not going to good. Can't you get another mentor? Not sure if you would want to do that since you've already had to come off the road cause of not having your hard copy. I hope things have gotten better for you! How much longer do you have to go? and please more details.