Swift Lewiston starting Monday 8/1

I'll be at the Swift Academy in Lewiston, ID Monday morning to start learning to learn to drive a truck.

I say learning to learn because I think that much like a pilot's license or a black belt in martial arts, the academy and getting your CDL A is just the license to learn.

I've passed the written portion of the CDL A, General, Air Brakes, and Combination (first try on all three) last week and already have my Idaho plastic CDL A instruction (learners) permit.

Haven't gotten a physical because the closest Swift approved clinic is several hours away so just going to let them do it Monday morning. Shouldn't be a problem.

I picked Swift because it will be a complete career change, I have zero experience, and no money to pay for training myself up front. I also recognize that this will be the equivalent of starting a new job at entry level. Hard work and low pay while you are learning the ropes and showing you can do the work. It was either Swift or England but

I'm nervous and excited both at the same time. Nervous because I'm pretty much going all in on this right now, excited because this will be a new adventure.

How may people make it all the way through the academy, get their CDL A, and then don't get hired on by Swift?

 

Yea that might be a problem. Will have to make sure I don't go outside after dark that week.

 

Already did that once years ago when a company I worked with paid for 2 semesters of college so used to it. I figure if they giving me the opportunity I'll give em the time.

Nobody said I can't pay it back early either.

 

Yea figured that myself. First turnoff for England was their class sizes, then the daily spammy emails I've been getting from them.

 

Well it's Saturday night before I head out to Lewiston in the morning.

I am dead tired already because I spent all..day...long cleaning and fixing and straightening and whatever else absolutely needed to be done to make things as easy as possible for my wife the next few weeks...could be months if I make the cut and orientation mentoring starts immediately.

Wish me luck! And I'll see any Lewiston lurkers tomorrow evening or Monday morning.

 

Day 0 -
On the way here my truck started spitting and coughing going up Whitebird Pass. Now the service engine light is on and it's still running way rough. Did not need this right now at all. Last time my truck did something similar it cost me $1500. Hour and a half outside of Lewiston, should make it.

There was also a wildfire north of Riggins. Two helicopters flying up and down the canyon right over the road with water buckets. People stopped on the side of the road to watch. It was pretty cool.

Arrived in Lewiston (luckily) and checked into Motel. Introduced myself to my roomate, chatted for a bit, then took off to the store to get breakfast items. Arrived at the Walmart...I thought...and found it an empty building that used to be a Walmart. /sigh.

Chatting with my roommate and he's on his last week and is really homesick. He called his wife this morning and said he was coming home and she absolutely forbid him to do so since he's come so far. He heads to orientation on the 16th over in Troutdale.

I asked him if anyone had been cut. He said not really. A few people went home for personal reasons, but nothing that Swift kicked them out for. Apparently though three guys in the class before his got through the first week and went out and partied Saturday night. Swift heard about it and drug tested them Monday morning. All three failed. #########.

Haven't met anyone in my class yet. Supposedly there are eight of us.

I'm at Shari's up the road having a good dinner. Rest of the month will probably be beans and rice mixed with 2 tacos for 99c at Jack-in-the-box.

Will post as I get a chance too.

0400 comes early so finishing dinner and off to bed.