Question:
In the past, drivers on this site have asked the newbies to come back and post their experiences, so here goes.
I have been on the road with a trainer for the past 6 weeks. I got lucky with a trainer because he was not bad and we got along o.k. The only thing I do not agree with is that dispatch kept us on runs of 5000 miles a week. So there was really no time for training.
I really wonder about night driving. Any drivers out there have problems with night driving. I am really having problems at night. I think it might just be nervousness. I just don't like the fact that I can not see so far out so reaction time is less.
I will be running NE. So I get to go out and play on there ice and snow. Truckstops are an experience. I do not think I have heard so much trash being talked since I was in the locker room in H.S.
This post is gonna be kind of short, but i will be back to tell more of my training on the road

Answer:
What company are you driving for?

Answer:
I am working with Swift. I am hauling cars for there auto rail division. It is not a bad hustle. I am making .26 cpm, $7.00 to load a car and $7.00 to unload a car, I also get paid $10.00 for each stop. I know a lot of drivers are against Swift, but I am gonna give them a try. Also I feel more comfortable with the 60 mph just starting out.
I will be running the North East and Swift tells me that they are short drivers in the North. So I am hoping to get good miles. If the miles are not there, at least i am getting the experience to seek other companies

Answer:
When I was training with American Eagle, my trainer would not let me drive days. I always drove nights, except when we were delivering so I could work at backing and learning the circle of service on the Qualcomm.
I thought I had a night vision problem from my training with Stevens, but, it was nerves. At least my trainer at Stevens stayed awake while I drove. I used it as an excuse to get off the truck. When I went out with AE, I didn't have much choice. It caused me to give up on AE, but, I got very good at night driving, including rainstorms that seemed to never end through Tennesee, and never a non-snow night through Flagstaff.
As you get more comfortable for the feel of the road and the few distractions you'll encounter at night, you'll find night driving has a lot of advantages. Unless you want to see the country you're driving through.
Just my opinion.

Answer:
I was 52 when I was doing all that night driving. So, it can't be blamed on age.

Answer:
If you had to go Swift at least ya went with the best that they offer(money wise) I do not think I have ever spoken to an unhappy Swift auto-hauler.
Just think of it as a stepping stone(I did) and keep your nose clean and after some experience in auto-haul you can haul cars for anybody. Neat thing about Swift is they haul them HIGH DOLLAR vehicles
The night drivin thing will pass its just the unfamiliarity of pushing something so big into the unknown
Good Luck....Stay safe
CD
"I dont like small cars or real big women,but somehow I always find my self in 'em" (Kid Rock) recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division