BF/GF team heading to millington, TN 2/2/15

Discussion in 'Swift' started by spectacle13, Jan 14, 2015.

  1. spectacle13

    spectacle13 Light Load Member

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    Hey guys, long overdue update.

    Road week has been quite a bit of long hours, we have each logged something like 15 hours drive time.
    Adventuress went from not being able to drive stick, to driving g stick really well and I was able to learn alot as well.

    They will give you some time to practice skills on the terminal range , and you'll do pre-trip every morning so you don't get rusty on it.
    My advice on shifting for newbies is, throw that progressive shifting paper in the garbage when you're first learning (it will be in the packet they give you for road training) focus on the mph numbers they give you for each gear, this will teach you best along with listening to the engine on when to shift. Mph will help the most on downshifting! I know because this was my weak point before this week!

    Today was dmv test day, we made the 3.5 hour drive from ocala,fl to brunswick, ga in the FL Columbia we were testing in. I've grown to like that old rig. :) our trainer Chris has been fantastic.

    I passed at the dmv and am scheduled for orientation Monday, adventuress passed everything except hitting a curb in a super tight turn on the road test and will have to retake :-( but she's doing really well and has learned alot! :)
     
    skull332 Thanks this.
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  3. OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

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    Gratzio!! To you and Adventuress will nail it next time. No worries.
     
  4. Adventuress

    Adventuress Bobtail Member

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    Dec 25, 2014
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    I maintain that the curb I hit (affectionately known as the "student killer") is actually a clever DMV plot to fail students. I'm not sure if they use hydraulics or magic, but that curb clearly jumped about 4' to get under my trailer. ;D

    I'm disappointed in myself for not passing, but looking back, I have only driven stick shift for a grand total of 4 days. I was focusing so hard on not stalling at the light that I didn't pay enough attention to where my trailer was going. The good news is, I get an AP week for road training and Georgia gives you two chances for the price of one test. I'll be soaking in the hot tub every evening while Spectacle is busting his behind driving with his mentor. And by the time I get out with a mentor, Spring will be here. :)
     
    OceanDan Thanks this.
  5. Akula

    Akula Bobtail Member

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    Mar 3, 2015
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    I have enjoyed this thread and look forward to seeing it continue. Thank you both for sharing your experiences.
     
  6. spectacle13

    spectacle13 Light Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2013
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    Hey guys, not much to update. Orientation in atlanta is decent. The red roof inn is a good hotel and I've got nothing bad to say, the first two days are paperwork, drug tests and more paperwork and worksheet stuff. Tomorrow is more of the same, then we find out whether they have a mentor for us tomorrow.

    Don't get me wrong, there is some useful and need to know info. However, if you went to swift academy..ALOT of it is going to be the same stuff tony goes over in memphis. Haha. Just get through it. I'm ready to roll man!

    A bit of a side note, anyone coming to atlanta for orientation....save yourself some disappointment and don't go to "A-town wings" across the street...I love wings, and these were the smallest wings I've ever seen. Just a heads up, apparently all the people that were local here knew, but no one told me. Lol
     
  7. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

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    And you'll probably go through a lot of it again when you come back and get your truck.
     
    OceanDan Thanks this.
  8. spectacle13

    spectacle13 Light Load Member

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    Oct 19, 2013
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    Right. I understand why they need to do it. About half my orientation class was lost on logging.....I was dumbfounded....
     
    OceanDan Thanks this.
  9. OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

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    You must have had some (ahem) "experienced " drivers in your orientation.

    I was flabbergasted about half our class at Millington had never used a road atlas.
     
  10. Adventuress

    Adventuress Bobtail Member

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    Dec 25, 2014
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    So...I'm back for my AP week of road training. I'm scheduled for my rematch with the DMV road test on Friday. I'm looking forward to getting back to a schedule...the week I spent with my mom was stressful. After the time spent "at home" AP week is almost like a vacation!

    Spectacle is out with a mentor. They seem to be getting along well. And, based on the minimal contact we've had via phone, he's working hard to get his hours in. :D He texts me every time he backs into a 90 to tell me how well he did...I think he enjoys making me nervous about how often I can expect to perform my least favorite maneuver. ;)
     
  11. OceanDan

    OceanDan Light Load Member

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    Don't stress the backing. At the same time be proactive and request from your mentor as much backing practice as possible. If you get an owner op as mentor don't let him/her just "use" you for the dollars. This is your career make them be a mentor. It may be everyone's least favorite task but you'll discover you're not really a professional driver til you can back.

    Haven't you heard the question?? How much do they charge to have someone else back a Swift truck??

    Answer............. Fifty bucks........ It's a hundred bucks if a trailer is attached. [emoji9]
     
    Adventuress Thanks this.
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