Swift Academy Licenses Suspended

And: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/265/RipOff0265941.htm (scroll down to bottom and read blog entries, especially the one mentioning "It's merely a guessing game at this point, but it appears that licenses may have been issued to unqualified candidates. If this proves to be true, there are going to be some very unhappy current and former drivers out there, who may have obtained their CDL's through Swift Transportation Company. Tennessee will likely invalidate or suspend licenses issued over a period of time, and this could effectively sideline thousands of drivers, until they retake all the tests, including a road test, to reinstate their CDL's."

Still searching for the original web pages I first came across. It's after 1:00am. I'm going to bed.

 

That 5,000 licenses were ordered invalidated by the FMCSA - since that figure came from the NYS DMV Department of Driver Improvement, and not a federal agency, I suppose I cannot be 100% certain that figure is accurate; however, it is a direct quote and I stand by it until I hear otherwise. (emphasis added)

 

OK, Steelerfan 67, here goes:

This is being "dredged up again" because on Dec 15, 2008 MY commercial driving privileges were revoked - MINE - and 313 other drivers within my state also - because we attended the Swift Academy in Millington from May 2005 through some point in 2008. (I think I said that once already.)

No, there is nothing on the FMCSA site - or anywhere else for that matter - no I do not know why - except that the Deputy Commisioner of the NYS DMV, Sue Tilley, believes that it may be that the investigation is still ongoing and thus, press on the issue has been kept to NONE AT ALL. That is why I started this forum thread!

We in NYS did not get 60 days to act. We were given EIGHT business days to receive the suspension notice in the mail (delivered by Certified Mail in NYS - so I hope you OTR drivers were home the day the postal worker came to your home so you could sign for the letter!), take (and pass) the written exam, and appear in person or call our state regional DMV office to temporarily "lift" the suspension, pending the results of a road test, which we were given an additional EIGHT business days to schedule.

Each state can set their own policies regarding license suspensions. Guess Pennsylvania gives drivers more time. I've already been in contact with Gene "Buzz' Rosenthal in Driver Safety in Albany to discuss the issues I've brought up regarding the short length of time we were given to act, and also the method of letter delivery, and am told that NYS DMV is considering possibly mailing such notices in the future both First-Class AND Certified, to avoid the issue I raised of drivers not being home for the Certified letter.

And again: That 5,000 licenses were ordered invalidated by the FMCSA - since that figure came from the NYS DMV Department of Driver Improvement, and not a federal agency, I suppose I cannot be 100% certain that figure is accurate; however, it is a direct quote and I stand by it until I hear otherwise. (emphasis added)

 

Geez, steelerfan67, what do you want out of me?

I'm just as susprised as you are that there is no outrage on this either!

The only other driver I've kept in contact with from the Academy, who lives in MICHIGAN, has also had his license suspended.

I believe the school is still operating because they stopped using both third-party examiners, and began a new procedure for the final licensing process (I believe that students now road test in their home state, but am not quite sure yet. I just found the phone number for the Academy, and will be calling them Monday morning also.)

YES, there is little information and many questions. If you yourself have any more for me, then please private message me, and we can find a more convenient way to communicate (e-mail or phone). I'll send you a copy of my DMV suspension notice if you'd like. So far, all you've done is question all I've written. I STAND BY ALL THAT I'VE SAID.

THIS FORUM THREAD IS A PLEA TO UNITE AFFECTED SWIFT ACADEMY GRADUATES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!

 

Sorry, I just learned I don't have enough posts to PM; guess it'll all have to stay on here.

I will scan my suspension letter and try and attach it to the thread tomorrow.

 

I think the reason there is no outcry is because, perhaps, many drivers' licenses have yet to be suspended - maybe some of the states are dragging their feet? Also, some drivers may not even know yet this has happened to them.

I will be in touch with FMCSA on Monday. I've been too busy this week with NYS DMV.

Gene Rosenthal, Director of Driver Safety at NYS DMV called me Friday night to say that, since FMCSA considers these "re-exams", that failure on the road test is subject to the FMCSA guidelines requiring mandatory 30-day revocation. There's nothing NYS DMV can do for me.

I don't have enough posts to PM yet (sorry, didn't know) which means we have to keep this in the forum for now.


Tony

 

Brickman:

My apologies as I'm only trying to publish as much info on this issue I can find!

Tony