My journey with Swift begins tomorrow!

Got accepted for the swift academy in Phoenix, and am leaving tomorrow!

I've been living in my van that I've converted to an RV for the last two years doing graphics design work, but the economy dried up in San Diego and I had to look elsewhere.

I had done research into the different companies like Swift, CRE, and JB Hunt. I settled on Swift after reading information here about it, and talking with some incredibly helpful people.

I want to use this to document my journey through the Academy, training, and the mentor program until I get my own truck, so other people can also read about it.

I only started looking into this about two weeks ago. They would have been able to take me sooner but I needed a week to get stuff straightened out and make arrangements to park the van, etc.

The recruiter I spoke to was very professional. I filled out an application and a consent to a background check that you have to fax in, and they then pull your vehicle report. I had a few issues on there she just wanted to know about, and afterwards, I was approved and set to go a few days later.

One thing I want to stress: I've heard of jobs that offer training and such where you have to pay a ton of money for thier training programs then go out as independent contractors. I've been burned by them in the past and thought this might be the same deal.

I didn't have to pay a single penny to get approved and set up to go to Phoenix.

During this time you're given links to online versions of the CDL manuals for whatever state you're in. You're also given links to Swift's online academy which you must complete which cover the CDL manuals and regulations for general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. The online academy does not cover HazMat, Tankers, Doubles/Triples or Passenger vehicles, as those aren't needed for Swift. Once you pass the quizzes with 80% or higher (and you can keep retaking them and I suggest you do!) you're approved as long as everything else checks out.

The only money I had to pay AFTER I was approved was $60 for a DOT physical to get the form and the little green card, and $5 for a copy of my motor vehicle report from my DMV. That was huge - I didn't have to spend the money to be considered for a shot at a new career - I already had the shot at that point.

So my paperwork is in hand, new clothes, new attitude, and excitement that my 2 year nightmare is going to be over! I've learned so much about myself the last few years living the way I have, so dealing with the space in a truck will have no issues at all! I'll attempt to update once a day or so during school with different thoughts, opinions, and information about what it's like to go through the academy and school.

Wish me luck!

 

Thanks!

The last few years have been a wild ride! I know the schooling and training won't be easy, but I know from my own experience with life that I'll have absolutely no problem with finding the willpower and motivation to succeed.

At one point in my life I was a quadriplegic who was told I was never going to walk again. Proved 'em all wrong, and the few people in my life who have expressed negative feelings towards me making this move will aren't even on my radar anymore. Swift isn't just giving me a job - they're taking a chance on me and giving me hope and chance at a better life for myself. I plan to make them very happy with their decision

 

Hey Hammer! I'm in the lobby right now. I may have run into you. Former Army? I'm Steve The guy carrying the two twelve packs (of Coca Cola)

Anyway: First impressions!

After a wonderful drive from San Diego to Phoenix, I'm set up in the hotel, which is, hmmm, I believe the real-estate buzzword is "Spartan." It's a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite with 5 beds total. There's an oven, full sized fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The couch is messed up and the beds aren't terribly comfortable, but it is what it is! The only place with internet access is the lobby, so that's either a good or a bad thing.

I'm supposed to have 4 roommates, and at the moment I only have two since the others haven't shown up on a bus yet or by taxi. The rooms have bunkbeds and single beds. Not sure what the deal is, but the linens we were given were the wrong size for the bed and the suite is supposed to have dishes/pots/pans, but there were none in ours. There was a swift guy there this morning and when he cleared out he left all his classroom materials, a huge study book for the CDL (score!) but left a few rotting things in the fridge! Yuk!

There seems to be some confusion about the room, anything from the hotel handling it to make sure there's food prep items to it being swifts responsibility to it being nobody's responsibility or that someone who washed out stole the stuff. No idea what's going on there.

Scouted the location a bit. There's a Waffle House, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and Sams club at the same intersection. Further down the road is a Kmart and Walmart, which I'll try to hit up tomorrow after school if there's no problem with getting our cooking gear replaced. All three of us would rather cook our own food for much cheaper in the suite than go out to eat for 21 days straight!

Met a few people in the lobby (I swear I ran into the person who posted this message) and learned more talking to them than I did from talking to the recruiter. DON'T LIE, there are half a dozen background checks over the course of the next few months, and be prepared to learn what the instructors want to teach as they're great people, passionate, funny, and love their jobs. Looks like I made the right decision.

Hopefully an update tomorrow: There was a glitch with Swift trying to contact one of my former employers, and I just want to clarify it to them since it never came up on the application. That's my biggest worry right now.

I've been told that Day 1 involves orientation, meeting the Academy Director Lynn, and the drug test. Day 2 has to do with filling out logs. Day 3 is when you actually take your CDL permit test so there is no cram course or study time in the classroom! You must have the knowledge to pass the test on your own!

Will post again tomorrow evening!