My Experience at the Swift Academy >>> Corsicana, Texas

Day 1:

The shuttle (aka PrisonBus) retrieved us from the Corsicana Inn around 526am. It then took us to the Swift Training Academy. Once there, we got settled and met with Rita M. and she talked to us and explained all the basics and answered all of our questions. Their were lots of questions!!! This new class had 14 people in it. 11 were present. 2 were sent home after physicals and drug test were done. We had a ton of paperwork to get through. We were also informed that we would be studying Hazmat. Some of the guys were concerned because we'd be studying for it and taking a test for it, but wouldn't have the endorsement. This concern seemed fair since it wasn't necessary to start at the Academy. Mr. Calloway & Mr. Cleaver (2 of the instructors) seemed very nice. The class was given lots of breaks (mainly for the smokers). Other than myself, there is only one other female. So glad! I would have hated to be the only woman in there. I know this is brief, but I have to get up in about 6 hours and apparently...School lasts 12 hours out of the day. So this was my day in a nutshell, other than the ride to WalMart after school that we were offered to go get supplies, food, etc. Any questions, just ask.

 

I have an alternate plan... MY CAR! I drove. Just don't wanna use unnecessary gas If I don't have to.

 

I picked Swift because inspite of all the bad I would hear, there was just as much good too. They only have 4 schools and one of them is near my sister. So I was able to stay with her and get my Florida licensed changed to Texas and take all my permit tests and not have to worry about where I was gonna stay. The instructors, from what I can tell so far, want you to succeed. They want to see you get your CDL... So other than the positive I've heard from people I know personally who work for them, and the convenience of the location to my family...They seem reputable enough for me.

 

Day 2:

Well, woke up in time to have some fruit and juice in the lobby of the hotel. Caught the PrisonBus to school. We were in class all day. At first, I fought to stay awake...but it got better. Today we learned how to log our hours, which included the 11 hour, 14 hour, and 70 hour rules. Then we learned how to trip plan. Last but not least was map reading. I thought I knew all there was to know about maps and atlas', but I learned so much more that's definitely gonna be valuable to me when I get on the road. Tomorrow, we get on the range.

So I'm nervous and excited and just plain anxious. I feel that I've read and studied and imagined what its gonna be like to drive these big suckers and tomorrow, I actually get to find out! Wish me luck. Logging off now...cutting my sleep time short already.