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Swift Orientation Question - First day roadtest?

Discussion in 'Swift' started by CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012.

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  1. Aug 22, 2012 #1
    CWiLL23

    CWiLL23 Light Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2012
    Detroit, Mi
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    I am coming in as a recent graduate who has had a few weeks off since I last touched a truck so I was wondering if SWIFT would road test me the first day and send me home if I fail? I don't doubt my skills but I would not mind if I could get a feel for the truck and it's gears before they test me.

    I am pretty sure I can get the basics done as far as making right turns and straight backing, but I am worried about my double shifting cuz if I get that wrong then I will fail everything also do SWIFT allow it's drivers to start out in 3rd gear or we have to start out in 1?
     
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    #1
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  3. Aug 22, 2012 #2
    Royburker

    Royburker Light Load Member

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    Aug 17, 2012
    Springfield, VA
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    they test u after u go out with the trainer.
     
    Royburker, Aug 22, 2012
    Royburker, Aug 22, 2012
    #2
  4. Aug 22, 2012 #3
    CWiLL23

    CWiLL23 Light Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2012
    Detroit, Mi
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    Thanks Roy
     
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    #3
  5. Aug 22, 2012 #4
    Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    I had to road test the first 15 minutes of orientation and i went in may and hadnt touched a truck since november
     
    Rugerfan, Aug 22, 2012
    Rugerfan, Aug 22, 2012
    #4
  7. Aug 22, 2012 #5
    CWiLL23

    CWiLL23 Light Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2012
    Detroit, Mi
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    @Rugerfan I know it's different for recent grads, and once your out 30 days past the day u got your CDL you are no longer a recent grad...
     
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    CWiLL23, Aug 22, 2012
    #5
  8. Aug 22, 2012 #6
    Jorihe84

    Jorihe84 Road Train Member

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    Sep 1, 2010
    North Florida
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    Your a student.. as long as yoi show that you understand how to safely operate the vehicle you'll b fine.
     
    Jorihe84, Aug 22, 2012
    Jorihe84, Aug 22, 2012
    #6
    MicaBay Thanks this.
  9. Aug 23, 2012 #7
    EagleEye509

    EagleEye509 Light Load Member

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    Apr 7, 2012
    Spokane,WA
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    You're ##### outta luck dude...not only will they road test you for right hand turns and straight backing...they're sticklers for also testing left turns, offset backing, and the dreaded 90! Among other road skills. Sorry for the bad news. Best of luck. Lol
     
    EagleEye509, Aug 23, 2012
    EagleEye509, Aug 23, 2012
    #7
  10. Aug 23, 2012 #8
    inkeper

    inkeper Road Train Member

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    Again, recent grads go to orientation and then out with a mentor for 240 driving hours BEFORE they take a road test. Drivers that have experience will do a road test at orientation to determine their skill level. They may have to go with a mentor for only 50 hours (sometimes more) to learn Swift procedures. Only a few go to orientation and get right into their own truck.

    The reason they road test experienced drivers was recently demonstrated by an "old hand at driving" at an orientation at Lancaster. Fellow said he had lots of experience driving trucks so they took him to road test. He could barely get the truck in gear and when he went to move forward, he dumped the clutch not once, not twice, but four times. I personally saw the 2 final attempts to drive. He was assigned to a mentor for the full 240 hours.
     
    inkeper, Aug 23, 2012
    inkeper, Aug 23, 2012
    #8
    scottied67 and desert_son Thank this.
  11. Aug 23, 2012 #9
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    123456, Aug 23, 2012
    123456, Aug 23, 2012
    #9
  12. Aug 23, 2012 #10
    CWiLL23

    CWiLL23 Light Load Member

    125
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    Jun 23, 2012
    Detroit, Mi
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    Thanks Inkeper and @EagleEye all my skills are tight except for this "dreaded 90" your talking about not sure what that is unless what you talking about is alley docking on an angle ohh yeah I got that down packed as well.

    Thanks for all the info guys I was just curious about my shifting because it's going to be almost a month since I drove a truck and I did not want to get sent home cause I was grinding a few gears or missed a gear. I will ask my mentor if we can take a ride around the block before I hook up to a trailer that way I can have a feel for the truck and it's gears.
     
    CWiLL23, Aug 23, 2012
    CWiLL23, Aug 23, 2012
    #10
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