Swift Academy - Richmond, VA - My Experience Begins

That's it.

FYI, "Lo" in high range is the same as 4th gear, hence 9 speeds. It's also very useful for rolling through E-ZPass lanes at the posted 15 MPH.

 

So rather then dropping down to low range you can keep it in high and go to the "low" for turns that dont require a stop and just work back up through the upper H to high gear like a 5 speed... that would be nice if I'm right.

 

no the lo is a granny gear. It shifts like a 4 speed. They have 9 forward gears but lo is never used even in high range

 

Exactly. High range "granny" is the same speed as fourth.

The only difference I've seen between a 9 and 10 speed is that the shift between high and low range is one gear wider on a 10 speed.

In practical use, it does shift like a 4 speed. If you shifted it like a 10 speed, you'd find that 5th and 6th gear were the same.

FYI, I use 1st/Lo on a daily basis. It's what I use when uncoupling a trailer.

 

It is also useful for sliding tandems and starting on an incline with a heavy load.

 

It is my understanding DMV doesn't test on logbooks. Is it a must pass in school or something you work on with your mentor.

Also trip planning I understand is a must pass in school. How should I prepare for this pre school? Just get the motor carrier atlas and get familiar with is or is there more I can do as in some kind of exercises.

 

You will be tested on logging in school.It is a "must pass", but you will have a LOT of practice before the test.

As for trip planning... if you know how to read a map, it's not difficult at all. You simply need to be able to find points A and B on the map, and find the line you would take from point A to point B.

The people that fail the test are the ones that have the attitude that they don't need to know how to do this; they'll just use the GPS.

 

And even if they pass, they will depend on GPS to tell them where to go...until they have a personal encounter with the limits of the technology.

 

The DMV will only test you on your ability to operate the combination vehicle to the minimum standards. No navigation, no trip planning. All that will be done in your school and on the road during your 'training' period. Then you'll spend the next 2-3 years honing your skills.

 

I understand. I am a boat captain. In school we had to know chart plotting. I use a GPS plotter however I know how to dead recon and use a paper chart with.. the magnet thingy.. ummm O ya compass. LOL