Ready or Not Here I come!!

You are geographically correct while missing one key piece of information. The school is in Tennessee, but BigBusMan is from Michigan. He will take his CDL test in MI and is, in theory, being trained to pass the MI CDL test. At the School, you are broken up into groups based on your home state and the pre-trip and backing exercises are tailored to your State of Domicile.

Some states require a 90* alley dock, while others require a 45* alley dock. Others require the student to drive in a circle on a track while keeping your tandems within a set distance from cones on the corners. In reality, the DMV will probably only request the student to perform 2 or 3 exercises during the actual test but you must be ready for all of them having no way of knowing which they will request you to complete.

Most importantly... In the real world there is no penalty for pull-ups and GOAL but there could be severe penalties for not doing so!!!!

 

I took my CDL in TN same points there as well.

 

Relax ... first for the record I did not go through Swifts program. But this is a standard training technique - train/practice at above the minimum testing requirements to ensure to be able to pass the test.

I've gone through testing prep progams for an FCC license, real estate license and CDL. Minimum passing standards for the school are always way above what is required to pass the exam. It's to ensure you are ready to pass - operative word pass. Training you to the minimum will not prepare you to pass.

Keep your eye on the ball, the objective here to get your CDL, not to simply get through the school.

 

the cdl test here in colorado is as far as backing straight line backing offset backing and one of the testers pick alley or 90 degree and parallel and blind side parallel along with a pretrip and road test pretrip is in cab coupling and lights plus one of engine , tractor,or trailer again testers gets to pick. keep up the good work the more you do learn and drive the better you will be when you go solo you will do great and it has been said before the goal is to get your cdl and take care of your family good luck stay kool it will all come together

 

Been there, done that- Curious as to how BigBusMan is doing. Swift really isn't as bad of a company as many lead people to think that it is. It's like anything else- it's what you make of it.
When you're paired with a trainer, expect the worst- but hope for the best.
Don't be surprised if you go through 1 or 2 or even 3 different trainers, because of personality conflicts... maybe not your choice- if the trainer does not like you, they will trade you out for another student with no problem at all.
When it's all said and done, and you get your own truck... Inspect it with detail.
Write down EVERY THING you see wrong on it, even minor dents, scratches, and/or missing items. Make sure ALL lights and Switches work what they should and when they should. Make sure everything with a hinge on it works- doors and hoods. Even the cab curtain. Cover your tail. You'll be surprised at what works and what does not. And you'll be surprised at what they fix too!
Get your truck- clean it, Really Really good. Carry some simple tools.
On your 1st trip home, get everything you think you might possibly need. If you're not sure- bring it! because it might be weeks or even a month or more before you get back in. Plus, it'll save you money by bringing it. The trucks can carry more than you might think. No comments, so he might not have made it through the 1st few days of screening... Hopefully he did though.

 

Good luck, BusMan. I'm having Qualcomm issues even after 6 weeks of training. Make sure your mentor shows you everything about that darn box!

 

the 90 is a killer lol i showed up earlyt @ my school just for extra pratice @ it but once you get it down 100% its nothing but a few pull ups to get it again


my instructor (@ private cdl school) split the $100 he won off the other schools teacher when he freaked out cuz the way i actualy did it was a 90 degree not a big 30 foot away cruve into the box lol when i pulled up to start the back, the other intructor said no way he can do that that close ...wel he lost @ the dmv that day lol

 

congrats BBM things always work out and yep you are getting training on driving not just passing stay with it and you will be on the road soon be safe