Swift training school any one out here been there.

Hey Ford!!! Time to bring us up to date!!!

 

yeah ford, how is life on the road(and SWIFT) treating you?

 

Where you at Ford????

 

I know it has been a long time since I posted in this thread, and I decided that I would check in today to bring you up to date.

First of all, I am still in love with the road! I have been running real hard for the last several weeks. So I went solo on September 17th, and headed East from the get go. They had me running around in Minnessota, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. I have been hauling a lot of rolls of paper, some cardboard bundles, and a lot of empty cans. I would say that about 85% of my loads have been drop and hook, which means that I have to repair a lot of trailer problems!

I have been staying pretty busy and getting decent miles. My highest week so far was 2780 miles, and the lowest is going to be this week where I am at 1900 miles. I have been able to work real well with my Driver Manager, but the weekend planners have been impossible.

I requested to get home on 10/8 for my kids birthday. My DM had me headed west from Ohio with 7 days left. Over the weekend the planners stuck me with a load that had me drive 250 miles on Saturday, and delivered at 0700 Monday. Well I finally got out from under that load at noon on Monday, and had to wait till after 5pm to get another load. The only thing moving was to drive to Michigan and get a load to Redlands CA. My DM said he would Terminal Call it in Denver, and get me something else home. The load from Denver took me to Walla Walla WA, but wouldnt deliver till the 10th. At this point I just wanted to get home before the weekend was over. Dropped that load in Walla Walla at 0700 on the 10th, and expected them to say I could deadhead to Troutdale OR were I could meet up with my kids. Again the weekend planner says NO, you cant DH that far. So instead the sent me to Spokane WA, Deadhead 150 miles, then turn around and deliver to Portland OR on Monday at 1600. I decided to take that load, and parked the tractor at Troutdale for the weekend and went off with the kids. Never got my actual home time, but I did a 34 hour reset, and got to spend some time with the kids.

So, I have decided that nobody cares about home time! If you have plans for your time off, you are screwed. I asked my DM after that fiasco what went wrong and how can we avoid it in the future. He said that I need 10 days to get home to the Northwest from the Esat Coast. I guess 9 days wasn't good enough even though I reminded them the entire time.

I am not whining about it. I am very happy with every other aspect of the job, and Swift. I will just need to figure out a way to deal with the home time situation.

So to recap the last month of driving solo. I am very happy with the miles and the truck. My 2007 Volvo is a real good running truck with only 335,700 miles. I am sitting in Salt Lake City UT today getting a service done on the tractor. They will be replacing all the drive tires, replacing the batteries, doing the normal lube and filters, and fixing a couple of little issues that I have noticed.

I will be trying to blog on my personla site. This is where I will try to post on a semi daily basis and just blog about the every day happenings. This way I won't be wasting space on these forums with my mundane posts!

http://billmarchant.com/ford390pwr/

 

Unfortunately you're right about hometime. It's what I warn people about. *gives you a big hug* I'm glad things are going good other than that.

 

I guess I could probably live with very little home time. Since I dont have family in the same state. They actually live in Phoenix, so Swift may work out. I'm just waiting for an opening in their classes which my recruiter said most likely in Nov.

 

To anyone considering Swift...this is interesting. There is a similar list on their website for each school location Swift has.
STUDENT CLOSING FORM
MILLINGTON, TN
Bring forms of ID: Social Security Card AND U.S. Certified Birth Certificate, AND CDL Permit. Must have a valid Drivers License for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in the Academy (no paper copies or temporary license)​

1. All students must successfully complete the CDL-online training before arriving at the Academy. This is part of the admission requirements. Any student not meeting this requirement will not be admitted.

2. All students are responsible for all CDL testing fees. Please check with your DMV prior to arriving at the Academy. Test fees are not a part of your tuition.


3. Housing is not a part of the cost of tuition. All students that need housing must sign a Housing Agreement. Students have the option to arrange housing on their behalf.


4. Must not arrive before Sunday. You will be charged for a room if you arrive early. If you drive save your gas receipts. Turn these into your Processor in Memphis when you return for Orientation.


Reimbursement will be on one of your paychecks.


5. A Marriage License will be required if you are entering the Academy under the Spousal Waiver Program. This program applies only if your spouse drives for Swift Transportation and has a minimum of 90 days continuous service. Your spouse will be required to sign a Spousal Agreement within the first 2 days of attendance.


6. On Monday only you will be provided with lunch.


7. Bring Social Security Card, Certified Birth Certificate, and Driver's License/CDL Permit.

8. If a Birth Certificate is not available the following items are acceptable:

U.S. Government issued Certified Birth Certificate.


U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-240)


Report of Birth Abroad of Citizenship (FS-240)


Valid or expired U.S. Passport.


Certificate of Citizenship (N560 or N461)


Certificate of Naturalization (N550, N570 or N57


Unexpired U.S. Active Duty Military ID Card (DOD DD-2)


Original DD-214


U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197, I-179)


INS I-551 Permanent Resident card with no condition "C" under category


9. If unemployed for more than 60 days, bring 2 notarized letters stating why.


10. Please make sure you have listed all convictions (misdemeanor or felony) on your application. Detailed background investigations will be conducted prior to your arrival.


11. Supplies needed: Calculator, Pen or Pencil, Highlighter, Work Gloves, Flashlight, Poncho or Rain suit.


12. A Swift Shuttle Van Or Bus will pick you up upon arrival at the Greyhound Terminal in Memphis, TN. The Shuttle will run every 3-5 hours. The number to call during normal hours until midnight is 901-301-2275. The first day will be in Memphis for paperwork. All lodging will be at the Admirality Inn in Millington, TN. The contact information for the hotel is:


Admirality Inn


8181 N. Highway 51


Millington, TN 38053-1754


(901) 873-1000


13. Monday morning at 5:00 am the Academy bus will pick you up. If driving please report to the Memphis Wellness Center before 6:00 am. Bring a jacket/ sweater. The classrooms can be cold.

14. Please wear appropriate attire while attending school. The following applies:


Collar length hair, long hair has to be pulled back in a ponytail.


Beards and moustaches neatly trimmed.


No shorts or tank tops.


No sandals, flip flops, or any open toe shoes.


No excessive amount of jewelry.


15. After training, all Students will return to their home domicile to complete Road Training and examination by a local DMV.


16. You must be able to pass a D.O.T. physical, substance/alcohol screening, and have 20/40 vision or below in each eye.

17. Bring eye glasses, contacts, and hearing aids if required. Please bring an extra pair of corrective items for emergency situations. This is per DOT regulations


18. Bring a credit card /phone card for phone services at the hotel & Academy.


19. Bring clothing for various weather conditions. Coin laundry available at hotel.


20. You will be sharing a suite with 3 other people, twin beds with bedding supplied. All suites are non- smoking with a dinning area, TV, and a full kitchen with stove, pots / pans, dishes, and microwave.


21. Room 161 is provided at the hotel for group study.

22. Any student found with alcohol or a person of the opposite sex in their room at any time will be terminated and sent home immediately.


23. Must bring money for food and other personal expenses. We recommend at least $150.00 extra to live on.​

 

Sorry my post above takes up so much space. It is not how I formatted it.

 

now it's 425 for weeks 1-4 and 600-800 for weeks 4-8