Swift Academy Licenses Suspended

"pawpaw", while the residency issue has been raised, the true focus of the investigation - and the main reason for the license invalidations - was and continues to be the alleged impropriety on the part of the third-party examiners and the TDoS employees operating the office in the Swift terminal in Memphis.

Whether or not Swift itself as a company shares culpability for the actions of those employees of theirs licensed as such third-party examiners has yet to be determined. Likewise, I find it unlikely that Swift was completely unaware of what was going on in Milington and Memphis. Perhaps not the top brass in Phoenix, but I cannot believe that these individuals referenced above were completely acting of their own accord.

A review of most of the web pages referenced in this thread will show that the residency issue is minor in relation to the focus of the investigation.

That being said, we Millington graduates TRUSTED Swift to provide third-party examiners that were operating fully within state and federal guidelines. Since Swift chose to use those third-party examiners to administer to the skills and road test, it is that decision that, in my opinion, confers responsibility on Swift's part, since they always had the option of going the traditional route of using regular TDoS examiners (or whatever Tennessee uses normally).

It is yet to be determined where responsibilty for this whole mess actually lies: with Swift Transportation, with the state of Tennessee, with the Swift-employed third-party examiners, with the TDoS Swift-Memphis terminal employees, or some combination of the above. Is the FMCSA responsible, since they oversee the licensing process for the states? Is the state of New York responsible, since they suspended my license with no notice and caused me to lose (and continue to lose) money in wages that I would have otherwise earned had I been given more time to address their re-licensing procedures?

It will take time, months or years perhaps, to be able to fully answer those questions. But the bottom line is this: When a prospective professional driver pays for training with the intent of obtaining a CDL, and ultimately that CDL is invalidated as a result of alternate licensing procedures that were chosen by Swift and the Swift Academy, then how can anyone find Swift relieved of the responsibilty of the invalidation of those licenses?

I can't.

 

By the way, "wjf1957", There shouldn't be any insurance issues IF you are fully licensed as you say. Meagan in Buffalo would be able to confirm this; however, I can't convince your employer for you, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if you wanted to tell me who you run for. Conversely, I don't want to create more problems for you with your employer.

After all, I've been able to get DMV to reverse policy (working with a bunch of other people statewide) so - if your boss would let you keep working AND use their truck, that would save you a BIG chunk of change.

And YES pre-trip is HUGE that's where I lost most of my points on my first road test - also - Examiner #501 is a little strange - make sure you know your pre-trip, you mention ALL the underpasses and bridges you cross relative to height and weight - NO JAKE BRAKE ALLOWED - be sure you turn using "hand-over-hand" - DO NOT shift during turns - AND GET OUT OF TRUCK AND WALK AROUND PRIOR TO BACKING UP!!! I LOST FIFTEEN POINTS FOR THAT!

BE SURE you read over last page in DMV manual - that is the actual exam sheet they use - and IF you have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL you ask me and I will help you - I WANT YOU TO PASS FIRST TIME OUT SO YOU DON'T END UP LIKE ME WORKIN IN THE WAREHOUSE MAKING THINGS TOUGH ON YOUR BOSS WHO'S JUST TRYING TO GET THINGS DELIVERED!!!

Write me back. . . . IF it turns out you work for the company that I think you do, maybe we can get together and compare notes. . . ?

Hope to hear back from you soon,

Tony

 

The following is intended to be a guide for those who need one in adance of taking a skills and road test. I DO NOT present it as the definitive source, but rather a starting point. Check with your local state first before using this guide as the end-all source for your pre-trip info.

PRE-TRIP EXAM​

ENGINE ON, ALL LIGHTS ON & 4-WAYS ON
TOOLS NEEDED: LINCOLN PENNY, MALLET, AND RAG
BRING SPARE FUSES

--- FRONT OF TRUCK ---

1. With engine on, check for puddles/dripping fluids
2. Indicate that all belts are tight and free of cracks or frays
3. Indicate that all hoses are free of leaks, with no cracks and/or bulges
4. Indicate that oil level is within safe operating range
5. Indicate that coolant is at a visible level in sight glass or under radiator cap
6. Indicate that power steering fluid level is within safe operating range.
7. Check that steering box is secure: with no leaks; no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter pins; and no damage to the steering shaft, steering box, pitman arm, steering knuckle, steering arm, tie rod, spindle, kingpin, or drag link
8. Check that hood latches are secure.
9. Indicate that cab marker lights, body lights, headlights, and directional lights all working - depress dimmer switch and signal left turn - check high beams and left directional (incl midframe) - depress dimmer switch again and then signal right turn - now check right directional (incl midframe)
10. License pate; registration, HUT, inspection stickers are all clean and secure - indicate expiration dates

--- CURBSIDE/PASSENGER SIDE OF TRUCK ---

11. Steer axle:
- TIRE: Indicate that tire is properly inflated by hitting with mallet, and that tread depth is at least 4/32" or greater (show that depth with Lincoln penny exceeds Lincoln's ear), with no cuts in the tread or sidewall
- WHEEL: Indicate that lug nuts are secure by turning each one, that wheel has no cracks or dents and is free from welds, and that there are no visible signs of hub oil leaks
- SUSPENSION: Indicate that all suspension components are in good working order; with no cracked, broken, or missing leaf springs; no damage to torque arms or shock absorbers; no cracked or broken hangers, missing or damaged bushings; no broken/loose/missing bolts, u-bolts, or other hardware; and if air-ride, no air leaks
- BRAKES: Indicate that there are no broken, loose, or missing parts; that slack adjusters show 1" or less of free play; that brake chamber/diaphragm is not leaking;
that brake lines, hoses, and couplings are not cracked, worn, or leaking; that brake drums are free from cracks and/or holes; and that brake shoes/pads are at least 1/4" thick
12. Show that door opens and closes properly, that hinges are secure, and that mirrors are securely mounted, with no loose fittings
13. Show that fuel tank is secure to frame and that fuel cap is secure to tank, with no leaks - open fuel cap to show that a full tank will match a full reading on the fuel gauge
14. Indicate that battery box, cover, and batteries are secure, with no leaks or excessive signs of corrosion on batteries
15. Show that there is no exhaust system damage, with no signs of rust or soot, which would indicate a leak
16. Indicate that the frame has no cracked or broken welds, and that frame shows no holes or signs of other damage to the frame, cross members, or body mounts - also indicate that all body mounting bolts are secure
17. Indicate that body marker lights are operative and reflector/reflectorized tape are clean and secure
18. Drive axle #1:
- TIRE: Indicate that tire is properly inflated by hitting with mallet; that tread depth is
at least 2/32" or greater (show that depth with Lincoln penny exceeds Lincoln's head), with no cuts in the tread or sidewall; and that nothing is lodged between tires on dual-wheel axles
- WHEEL: same as on steer axle
- SUSPENSION: same as on steer axle
- BRAKES: same as on steer axle
19. Drive axle #2: same as drive axle #1
20. Indicate that splash guards are secure.

--- REAR OF TRUCK ---

21. Indicate that any doors or unloading equipment is properly secure, and that any hydraulic operated equipment shows no leaks
22. Indicate that the license plate is clean and secure, and that the ICC bumper is also secure, with reflector/reflectorized tape attached
23. Indicate that rear marker lights and right directional is working - signal left turn and check directional - then signal hazard lights and check
24. Brake Light Check: Ask examiner to remain in rear of truck to help you check brake lights - turn off all lights, release parking brake, then apply and release service brake twice - when examiner gives the ok, set parking prake, turn on hazard lights and fasten seat belt

--- IN-CAB ---

25. Examiner enters truck
26. With seat belt fastened, once you have 120 lb of air in system, put transmission in first gear, then shut off truck
27. Brake Systems Check:
- Latent Air Leak Test: release parking brake, wait 10 to 20 seconds, and check for no more than two (2) psi lost
- Applied Brake Test: (also known as Static Brake Check) Hold foot brake pedal down for one minute - check for no more than three (3) psi lost after initial loss
- Low Air Warning Check: fan off brakes until warning light/buzzer activate - indicate when light/buzzer activate that air pressure is above 60 psi
- Tractor Protection Valve Test: (emergency brake check) Continue fanning off brakes until TPV or Parking Brake Valve pops out - indicate that air pressure is between 20 to 40 psi
28. Put transmission in neutral, and perform a "safe start" (clutch depressed)
29. Gauges Check: give readings for oil, water temp, air pressure, volts, and fuel
30. Horn Check: sound city horn at a minimum
31. Check that wipers/washers are operative, and that heater/defroster are working
32. Indicate that all windows (incl windshield) are clean and undamaged, with mirrors properly adjusted and free from loose fittings
33. Check the dashboard indicator lights for left and right directionals, 4-way hazard lights, and high/low beam headlights
34. Indicate that you are carrying safety equipment consisting of three triangles, a fully charged fire extinguisher, and spare fuses
35. Parking Brake Check: (also known as a "Tug Test") with TPV/Parking Brake still out/engaged, put transmission in first gear, and ease off clutch until motor pulls truck against brakes
36. Say to examiner, "My pre-trip is now complete. I have my seat belt on, and will be ready to follow your instruction as soon as I have 120 psi, and have done my 50-foot brake check."