New soon to be swift trainee!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Newtrucker48, Jun 26, 2012.

  1. HoldemHustla210

    HoldemHustla210 Bobtail Member

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    I'm from S,A I just got my c.d.l in march piece of cake. Once you hit a curb test is over becareful with that.
     
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  3. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Congrats on getting your cdl there. And yeah I know about the curb. For me though, I test in Shreveport, since I'm from Louisiana.
     
  4. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Today marks the start of my road practice for my cdl license. I'm excited! I was nervous, but then I thought if it weren't for me I wouldn't have made it this far. I train this week and I'll test next Friday I'm thinking I'll let everyone know how my day goes learning to double clutch and shift in traffic. Have a good day!!
     
  5. HoldemHustla210

    HoldemHustla210 Bobtail Member

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    May 26, 2012
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    Good luck. Dont let yourself get nervous just relax and it will all come to you good luck again
     
    Newtrucker48 Thanks this.
  6. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks! I'm about to start driving and shifting in about 11 minutes we are on break now. I'll let y'all know how I do!
     
  7. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Hey guys so much things has happened in 2 days! Good and bad. I'll try and gather my thoughts and words and what order and update y'all soon!! As it stands I test on Friday July 27th in Shreveport la. I'll make sure I post for you all soon! Thanks!!
     
  8. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Hey guys, just had a busy week one more day and I'll have a little free time to go over everything that has happened since my last in depth post. I haven't forgotten about everyone!!! Wish me luck guys. Training is almost over and the big day is approaching. Wish me luck, you all stay safe!!
     
  9. neal79

    neal79 Medium Load Member

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    Good luck on your CDL test. If you passed the Swift Academy you will be fine. I went to Millington for my school and they had us learn a lot more than just what was on the test and with tighter boxes and you will be better off for it. Now that I'm a mentor for Swift I have realized how good a job they really did at the school. Most of my students have came on the truck and barely been able to do a 45 at first let alone know anything about logs or trip planning or axle weights. Learn as much as you can while your still at school and while you are with a mentor and remember the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. Your time will be up before you know it and then its time to go get your own truck and then the fun really starts. Hopefully you get a good mentor who not only shows you how to be a driver and not just a steering wheel holder, but also one that can show you how to work the "Swift system" so you can also make money. Those that complain they only $500 a week are just doing something wrong because even when I was just solo company I was making anywhere from $700-$1100 a week after about 6 months.
     
    Newtrucker48 Thanks this.
  10. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement and advice. I was like a sponge for all the info I was required to learn not just for the cdl test but afterwards while I'm out on the road. Just very glad I had the great instructors that I have had along the way. Every bit of their information was priceless and valuable. Again thanks!
     
  11. Newtrucker48

    Newtrucker48 Medium Load Member

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    First day starting to shift was Monday. I was scared to death because I had never been in an 18 wheeler before coming to the academy much less drive one on the road. As expected from new people just learning something I wasn't very good at shifting at all. Those gears I grinded so very much my first day. I think I drove for 3.75 hours. For those of you who aren't log savvy, that's 3 hours 45 minutes in real time. I was with a classmate of mine who was a week ahead of me because of me needing more practice backing and he was on it, he was like an expert behind the wheel and with the clutch, sure he messed up a little but he still had it down semi perfect. I could up shift ok but my downshifting needed a lot of work.

    We traveled all over Corsicana all the way up to Lancaster where I saw my very first swift terminal. (We needed fuel for the next day, I'll get to that in my next post.) it was pretty cool to see all the trailers and professional drivers coming in and out of the gate. My first time driving in I saw the spikes. I was like omg I'm about to flatten all these tires, but my instructor informed me to keep going and I did and I didn't flatten the tires! Lol, that was a relief. The terminal for some reason was out of fuel until Friday so we would have to wait until Tuesday to fuel up. We practiced parellal parking in between trailers and then left and called it quits for the day. Next up Tuesday!
     
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