New soon to be swift trainee!

Thanks kittyfoot great advice. I'll take it easier and learn all I can while in swift academy. Just wanted to make sure I had all the paperwork and information needed so nothing slows down the start of my trucking career. I'm sure once it starts Monday, I'll be glad I put so much work into getting the necessary things prepared and once the learning starts I'll be like a sponge absorbing everything I need. Again thanks very much for leaving comments and advice. Any and all are welcome.

 

Thanks balakov100, I guess I'll find out for sure when class starts Monday. I just need to be able to personally touch and see the engine section to fully understand that and the suspension parts. I seen them in diaphragms of trucks but it's not the same as in person, on the truck that'll be apart of the DMV test.

 

@PanteraUSMC thanks for answering my questions! What you said about the twic card, and any other item I may need, makes a lot of sense, I'll wait until they tell me I need it. I'm hoping I can stay with them for a few years so I can set the foundation for a true career. Don't want to hop from one place or another, I know that looks bad to potential employers.

About the pre-trip inspection, you're right, it's the schools job to make sure I'm ready to pass all the tests to get started. I'm going to stay as focused and pay attention to every little detail I can. I'll relax.

Trip planning, thanks for the descriptive NYC route, if I ever need it I'll make sure I refer back to it!

Teaming- yeah I'm for sure wanting to be solo, it is way way more desirable than teaming is. It just makes sense for someone like me, because I don't think I would trust someone else driving while I'm sleeping. I respect people who do, its just, it's not for me. I'll do it for my 6-8 weeks of training swift requires me, but that'll be it. Solo also will allow me to stay out as long as I want and when, without worrying about what my teammate wants to do about home time.

Night life- I'll never let that get in the way of this, I have a huge desire to do this. If someone knocks on the door when I shut down, I'll be careful to slightly open that window to find out what the person wants. I have no problem assisting other drivers, but I'll never let anyone in the truck at night, much less any other time. I give people chances, but like you said, common sense is the key.

Home time- I been thinking about that, I may just do all I like to do on my 34 reset. I'm pretty low maintenance so anywhere that I haven't seen or visited before would suffice for home time for me. I've heard once you get in a routine and freight is coming and you're rolling and then you take home time, it can take you out of the good freight routes with miles and you have to build back up to where you were before taking it. Is that true?

Again thanks a lot for taking the time answering my questions.

 

Thanks very much Chompi! Appreciate you taking the time to give me the pointers and advice you have. Also thanks for verifying what I had thought about being in the path of loads and then taking home time and having to start over.

Packing now for my bus leaving tonight at 11:45.

 

Arrived at the hotel at around 3ish for swift academy, met my roommate, he is a really cool guy. We are into the same things. So this 3 weeks of training is going to be easy on the "home" front. Now I just need to start class tomorrow and get passed the first 3 days! We are off July 4th, our supposed first day of range,but hopefully they add a day for it. Also my roommate is from the same state as me so our pre trip will be how Louisiana does it. He already supplied me with a pre-trip inspection sheet and gave me a mini quiz on information I should generally know about the tractor and trailer. I did pretty well considering after I passed my hazmat written test, I just focused on pre trip inspection and getting everything I need and may not need for class. I've met 5-6 classmates already as well, and we are hoping for a small class; seeing as we are the first at the new academy in Corsicana, Texas.

Going to call tsa tomorrow and check on my status, so that swift knows I did at least make the effort of getting my fingerprints out of the way and the thorough background check I've received for them. We may go to Walmart for some food tonight, not sure. Class starts at 6 am, bus picks us up at 545; we have already planned on going to breakfast at 5 so we should be set and ready by then. Also the hotel room isn't that bad, has a light out and the bathroom door is messed up but I'll make sure the hotel knows that was like that before we arrived. All in all I'm excited about my new journey and happy I signed up and did something for a career instead of my regular routine of going to my j.o.b. Anyway I'm going back to laying down and relaxing/reading the forums for my last day of freedom. Even though with coming to school I've never felt more free and alive. Later

 

Great day!! First off, day one, we had 18 scheduled people. 2-3 never showed, 1 woman was sent home for not having cdl permit. Advice to all students: if you plan on going to any academy, make sure you have your cdl permit,UNLESS, you are an out of state resident of Arizona and are scheduled to attend there. You'll get yours there. Our class has a lady who was sent home for losing her paperwork on the way to their academy and had to reschedule for this class. From what she says, Arizona is really really strict on what's needed. Also you have to have your physical done from an approved swift location; make sure and verify that the location in your home state is ok, or else you will have to pay for it again!! We spent the whole day basically at the physical and drug screen building for 6 of us, including myself, to get it taken care of. Here we had to pay 60 for the physical and 30 for the urine test. 90 total, plus food, supplies needed for class, and any other necessity.

Also, here, each road test you have to take is 60 dollars so make sure if you come to Corsicana academy bring extra money. AND make sure you have paid attention during range time, so that you only have to pay once. The instructors are amazing. I can tell you, if you happen to fail, it'll be your fault because I can't count how many times they have said ask questions if you don't know something, or need something. Very nice class and overall atmosphere. My classmates are serious about learning. I love them already and it's just my first day. Met the range instructor, he is a cool guy as well, I've never driven a truck but I have no doubt, NONE, that I will graduate. These guys know how it is, and maybe it's just us being the first class, but I can tell they want us to succeed. I'm pleased with swift so far. Very.

Sadly we are down to 11 people after the physical, our class ran to the local DMV and verified everyone's cdl permit. One guy may or may not have to go home because of missing needed test for his permit. Also one older lady, who the instructors is giving a shot, will take the combinations test tomorrow. She used to drive buses for a living so she should be good. I'll keep you posted. Oh, when you come, make sure the tests are within 90 days. They do check!

My advice is just to get everything if you are planning on coming so no one can say anything about you missing anything. By the way,update, called the tsa, and my application for hazmat has been APPROVED!!! Once I get my cdl license I can add the hazmat endorsement! So excited! Now, if you come to Texas the hotel isn't perfect, but you know what? It works, as of right now, swift is super above average for me. Come with the right attitude and you'll go far! They really want you to succeed. It's hard to describe, but my instructors, you just feel it down deep. They are there to help, and that willingness goes a long way for me. Tomorrow we learn logging, trip planning, and map reading. Going to bed now!