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Heading to Richmond 6/17...

Discussion in 'Swift' started by MsJamie, Jun 6, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jun 6, 2013 #1
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    Somewhere I'd rather not be...
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    Hi everyone,

    I'm heading to Richmond in a week and a half for Academy training. I know the general order things are done at Swift Academy, but I have a few questions specific to Richmond.

    The Swift site says that students stay in the Candlewood. I've read generally positive reviews on the place, but I'd like to hear some comments from drivers.

    I've read that the rooms have a kitchen. Is there a place to get groceries nearby, or within shuttle range? It kind of defeats the purpose if you have to spend $10 on cab fare to go grocery shopping.

    Wifi - Is it any good, or will I have to tether to my phone to check email? Fast enough for streaming video?

    I don't mind sharing a room with two other women, as long as I don't get the rollaway! :)

    I'm sure I'll think of more questions as soon as I post this... :)
     
    MsJamie, Jun 6, 2013
    MsJamie, Jun 6, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jun 6, 2013 #2
    Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    I went to the Phoenix so I cant help there, you can Google to see if there are stores close by there. Normally you will find some close to the terminals.
     
    Wolfyinc, Jun 6, 2013
    Wolfyinc, Jun 6, 2013
    #2
  4. Jun 7, 2013 #3
    hawkjr

    hawkjr Road Train Member

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    I've stayed at the Candlewood personally while in Richmond... Good Hotel, just a heads up, even tho your around the Airport, be aware of your surroundings at night if you have to go out. It's not a crime zone but it's not a safe haven either..
     
    hawkjr, Jun 7, 2013
    hawkjr, Jun 7, 2013
    #3
  5. Jun 8, 2013 #4
    Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    lol that seems to be the case for a lot of the terminals I have been to so far
     
    Wolfyinc, Jun 8, 2013
    Wolfyinc, Jun 8, 2013
    #4
  7. Jun 8, 2013 #5
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    It's not that I plan on being out late; the 5:30 AM shuttle pretty much precludes that. I just want a decent internet connection so I can get my email and run Skype.
     
    MsJamie, Jun 8, 2013
    MsJamie, Jun 8, 2013
    #5
  8. Jun 9, 2013 #6
    Wolfyinc

    Wolfyinc Road Train Member

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    hopefully it wont be like the internet for the housing for phoenix, the internet didnt work half the time and I tethered the whole time.
     
    Wolfyinc, Jun 9, 2013
    Wolfyinc, Jun 9, 2013
    #6
  9. Jun 12, 2013 #7
    Woppin Wild

    Woppin Wild Light Load Member

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    I went through the Richmond academy back in February in their third class. The academy is well put together, and all of the instructors were very knowledgeable and all around good guys. The Candlewood Suites is a #### nice hotel for training and is basically a paradise compared to the Motel 6 that us earlier classes stayed in. The rooms at Candlewood all have full kitchens (stoves, full size fridge, microwave, dishwasher, etc.), and each Wednesday class will get out an hour early so the shuttle can bring students over to Kroger to grab groceries. There will also probably be people at class with you who you can ride with to the store. There's a Wawa within walking distance of the hotel and some shopping plazas within about a 10 - 15 minute walk if you can't bum a ride. I don't have any perspective on the wifi at the hotel as I always just tether my phone, so I can't help you there. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll try to help you out if I can. Good luck!
     
    Woppin Wild, Jun 12, 2013
    Woppin Wild, Jun 12, 2013
    #7
  10. Jun 16, 2013 #8
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    I made it to the hotel early this morning, and so far, I can say that the lobby is quite nice. The room that Swift assigned to me already has an occupant by the name of William, so you can see the problem there.

    So, I'm sitting in the lobby until someone who can actually make a decision can be reached.

    That said, the WiFi so far seems to be pretty good; about half scale up where my assigned room is. Speed tests to be about 2Mbps.

    The hotel does have a shuttle; I haven't really investigated it yet.

    More details to follow after I get some sleep...
     
    MsJamie, Jun 16, 2013
    MsJamie, Jun 16, 2013
    #8
    scottied67 and Cammi Thank this.
  11. Jun 21, 2013 #9
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    end of story ........?

    no updates ....?

    still sleeping ........?
     
    123456, Jun 21, 2013
    123456, Jun 21, 2013
    #9
  12. Jun 21, 2013 #10
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    I did get a room around 11 AM. I'll have a detailed writeup later (hopefully this weekend), but the short version is this:

    Get up at 4:30 AM
    Catch the Academy shuttle at 5:30 AM
    Class, pretrip, skills, lunch, skills, shifting
    Shuttle to Candlewood at 5:00 PM
    Dinner
    Homework
    Sleep
    Repeat

    Saturday is class only; the range is closed on weekends.
    Sunday is a day off.

    Shuttle runs from 4:30 PM to midnight. It'll take you anywhere within 2 miles of the hotel. That covers a Sam's Club, Target, a few grocery stores, several strip malls, and a whole bunch of restaurants. Sorry, no Walmart.
     
    MsJamie, Jun 21, 2013
    MsJamie, Jun 21, 2013
    #10
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