Chronicles of a Swift trainee

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by Marky84, Nov 10, 2012.

  1. str8rida

    str8rida Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2011
    kennewick, WA
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    I hear ya. I would already be in Lewiston except that test. Saving up a little for the test now. Just make sure you have it all taken care of before going over there. It wouldn't be good to waste a trip over just in cade they did make you get that daytime test after all. Happy to help
     
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  3. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Jan 21, 2010
    Jersey shore
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    Definitely Rida, thats why I'm hoping to hear back from this recruiter. It seems like this sleep thing is the only thing holding me back as well. I'm just anxious to get this ball rolling.

    I definitely want everything taken care of before I go out there. No hiccups. I've been doing everything I feel like I need to, getting my criminal background, employment background, DMV records, hitting the gym, quit smoking, bought my own cpap, etc etc etc. I'm not sure what else to do at this point other than get this cpap issue squared away.

    Maybe I'll see you out there in Lewiston at some point!

     
  4. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2012
    Jefferson, WI
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    well im home in wisconsin. finished the 1st part of training, classroom and range, with a 92% avg. wouldve been higher if not for a map test they make ya take on ur last day there. make sure to do ur very best on all ur classwork to keep ur avg as high as u can cuz if ur avg ends up lower than 80%, u will have failed and theyll send u home and its 750$ to come back or u owe 3900$.

    overall so far swift has been very good to me and paid for me to have thanksgiving diinner at the steakhouse/buffet next door to the admiralty inn. place called ryans. was very good and very good service. local church and some other people and drivers also hosted some thanksgiving dinner in the hotel itself, which i managed to miss as i was catching up on sleep.

    there was a leak in our room, and they tried to fix it but it got worse, so we were able to move to a different room.

    dont overpack, be prepared but dont overpack. u cn do laundry at the hotel 2$ to wash 2.50$ to dry, and theres a walmart nearby and a dollar store. there were plenty of places to eat and a bank across the street. again be prepared financially, birng money. for the road fees ulll need a cashiers check or a money order. i used a money order from the krogers, got about 50 cents.

    for the nights on the range which ull do ur 2nd week, dress warmly, double sock, bring hot food if u can, theres microwaves and refridgerators. bring a good light for pretrip and drop and hook practice and some cheap lights to help make the cones easy to see. bring CHEAP lights for that cuz odds are theyre gonna get run over. i would suggest cheap headlamps ads they can easily be put around the cones. bring soap or body wash as the hotel will supply u with bar soap thats very rough on ur skin but the shampoo they give u is pretty good.

    again dont overpack cuz itll be a pain. swift trucks dont use APUs they use omni idle. they do NOT allow inverters. so bring a decent sleeping bag and get creative for food. i would also suggest a thermos and a water bottle for the range, particvularly at night.

    i have to call on thursday for information on road training. ill be going to inver grove heights in minnesota and ill be staying in the eagan/burnsville area.

    from what i understand ill do the road training, 10 hours of which will be at night, then ill go to do the cdl test thru a 3rd party. ill then go home for a few days and then go to orientation in neenah, wisconsin. ill be staying in menasha i believe.

    i just remembered that the admiralty inn DOES have wifi, in certain spots. the closer u r to the office the more likely that ull have a connection. it can be spotty tho. dont even bother with the computer IN the office unless u have to print something. there IS continental breakfast but unfortunately not for swift students. there is coffee and sausage biscuits available at the front desk in the morning, the biscuit for 1.15 and the coffee for 50 cents. dont bother with the biscuit as it is tiny.

    again, so far the overall experience has been very good and id definitely recommend it, especially if ur from wisconsin as u only have to do straight backing and a 45 degree park.

    ill add things as i remember them. any questions go ahead and post em. ill keep ya updated as best i can.
     
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  5. usramc

    usramc Light Load Member

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    Oct 29, 2012
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    If your not from that state where do you take your test? I was told you take that states test then just get your cdl transfered to your state.
     
  6. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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    Jefferson, WI
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    i believe ill be taking it in minnesota, im not sure yet. once i find out ill post it here :)
     
  7. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    So do they tell you approximately how much money you will need to bring? I'm trying to figure out my budget as much as possible and I don't really have a good idea of how much to bring. Any idea on a ballpark figure in the budget range?
     
  8. Marky84

    Marky84 Heavy Load Member

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    Jefferson, WI
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    ya they tell u by state. for wisconsin its 85 for the test and 74 for the licensing fees. about 65$ to retest. dunno how much it was for washington, tho i dont think WA ppl would be there. i would bring as much as possible just in case. also bring 40 for a physical unless u can get 1 at home thru ur insurance. go to a concentra facility, make sure its a DOT approved physical. bring food money as well. theres a walmart and a dollar store nearby.

    u should bring at least 2-300 $ depending. check with ur recruiter to make sure, but be prepared.
     
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  9. bubbles

    bubbles Bobtail Member

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    Nov 27, 2012
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    Get a cb raido when you get out on the road. Swift drivers never seem to have a cb. Good luck with your new job
     
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  10. str8rida

    str8rida Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2011
    kennewick, WA
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    If you plan on getting a physical before you go, make sure it is a Swift approved facility giving the test. If not they will need to give you a new physical. From what I was told though, when and if you get a physical during orientation Swift pays for it. Double check with your recruiter though.
    Bubbles - the Swift trucks come with a CB already installed. Just a lot of Swift drivers seem to not use it very often. I know I turned mine off a few times simply due to being tired of all the trash talking about me being a Swifty lol.
     
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  11. DocWatson

    DocWatson Road Train Member

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    Jan 21, 2010
    Jersey shore
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    So to cover everything during the 3 weeks of training, would about $500-600 in my checking work considering all the licensing fees, food etc? I wouldn't plan on spending much on food during training and I won't be smoking or a coffee drinker etc. I'm hoping that is enough.


    I guess my recruiter wants me to set up a DOT physical with one of their approved doctors here in Tacoma next Friday. So once I go to this DOT approved doc that is close to me do I still need to get another DOT physical when I get out to Idaho for training? Does Swift reimburse us for this physical or do I just pay for it? Any ideas how much it runs approximately?

    Thanks for any info. you guys can provide...
     
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