Swift training school any one out here been there.

Roadrunner, the school I went to in Ga. was the same way, we had 3rd party examiners as instructors and we took out drivers test in a semi-auto, ao your not the only one that needs some work on the shifting. I start with Swift on the 15 of Dec. and I am SO ready to go!

 

Ford, I just wanted to say I have spent the last two days reading this thread and I have really enjoyed your posts. Please keep it up. I go to orientation with Swift on the 15th of Dec., I am so exicited..

 

Gypsy, You should expect to do a road test with every employer that you go through orientation with. I can give you some very good pointers for surviving your road tests. 1) In your case, find someone with a truck you can drive for practice in shifting. Get them to go to a mall with you after 10pm and spend a couple of hours. A couple of things to keep in mind. Take your time and shift slow. Get a good smooth rythem. Even if your shifting isn't smooth try to stay with a smooth and slow rythem. You will NEVER be able to speed shift a big truck, so don't try. 2) Don't let anyone try to teach you to shift without the clutch. Even though, when done correctly it doesn't cause much damage to the transmission, it doesn't impress anyone when you're going for a new job. Very few truck drivers stay at one job for their whole career, so you will be going through more test drives in your future if you stay in the industry. Most competent testers will give you negative feedback for shifting without the clutch. So keep it simple and stick with the fundamental basics. Your goal should be to concentrate on improving your shifting one clutch kick at a time. Remember, you can't get to 10th gear from 2nd, so take your time and focus on just the next shift. 3) Learn to downshift and do so slowly. It takes a good deal of work and time to get the judgement solid on downshifting and distance to the stop. Be patient. 4) Do your pretrip instpections by the book, so know the method in the book. If a well seasoned veteran driver is testing you, you can do more by using common sense rather than going strickly by the book. If you're being tested by a non-driver or inexperienced driver, if you don't go by the book they tend to do some pretty nasty things to your evaluation. And since there is no real good way of your knowing who will test you or what their background is, stick to the book as a safe measure. 5) Try to relax. Take your time in everything you do. DO NOT TRY TO TALK TO THE EXAMINER UNLESS YOU ARE ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION ON SOMETHING THEY'VE SAID TO YOU! EVER!!!!!!!!!! Nerveous people tend to talk a lot to ease themselves. Talkative people tend to get distracted more easily than others. Distracted people tend to drive like idiots. Drivers who drive like idiots tend not to get hired. Also, keep in mind that every examiner on Earth expects you to be a little nerveous and they tend to allow some leeway for that reason. Just make sure that if they take you on a route were you have to cross RR Trax that you stop at them first. Be genuine, don't just go through the motions of the stop. 6) Finally!!! Make sure that you are clear on what the expectations are before you leave on the test drive. It's certainly reasonable that you ask the examiner about the route and what you may expect on it before beginning the driving test. And remember to be patient. I can't stress that enough. Take your time and try to enjoy the ride, you'll find yourself be able to do much better. Good Luck!

 

I went thru orientation with Swift in Syracuse NY in September. The road test we were given was only about 30 minutes. They seemed like they were more interested in safety. They realize that most drivers that have just gotten thier license are having difficulties shifting and that will bew worked out with your Mentor.

Afetr my six weeks I went back to test out. Tjhe driving test was about 30 inutes and the tester was the same one that givces the test to the new drivers at orientation. He said that when the new guys take the test he is basedd forward and back in the seat because most need work on shifting.

Don't try top float gears on your test. They want you to doulbe cluthch. floating will come later, when you are on your own.

As far as training pay. If you claim a bunch of dependents you will have a lot less taken out in taxes. Just make sure you change your w-2 after so you have taxes taken out. At Swift you don't get benifits until 90 days. So you won't lose that money during training. As soon as you can acess the kiosk at a terminal gey you bank account info set up for direct deposit. Swift doesn't do paper checks. the only options for pay are direct deposit of having your pay put on your pay put on you com data card. If on card you are only givien 1 free withdrawal and after you are charged. It is better to use a com check and cash it for all money at once. The problem with com data is if you have peiople at home that need money it is ahrd to get it to them.

Any morte questions ask, I look here on a regular basis. if you don't want to ask in public just pm me.

 

Thanx Bill. I honestly hadn't thought of the road test part because of Swift being a training company. We had a manual we used in school for when we went off course and I managed about 29 hours while in class. I have a friend that has let me ride along and do some driving, what an experience (long but funny story) I don't have enough posts to pm , but please feel free to pm me.....I got my license in Sept. and I've only have a few chances to get behind the wheel since then, but I must say I absolutely love it!.....Wish me luck

 

When you're working for someone else driving their equipment, don't ever float the shifting. The clutch is there for a reason and as soon as the truck gets in the shop for transmission problems, the mechanics will be able to let your boss know what kind of care has been given the transmission by the driver. Not shifting right purposefully will get you fired and cost you money. One way or another I've been in this industry since birth, and I can tell you countless stories of drivers who thought they could do it all, and then got bit with their own monster. As far as safety goes, that's numer one with everyone that's worth working for. Be safe and have fun.

 

One thing about the road test that I took with Swift. Because I had just graduated from Swifts academy, I did not take a road test during orientation. All other new hires, did take a short road test at orientation. After the 6 weeks of mentor training, we did "Local Close Quarters Training" (LCQT). At the end of the day the trainer is supposed to conduct a road test. My trainer simply said that he didn't need to give me the test because he was observing me since I got on his truck.

 

This is new. It use to be you got the LCQT if you smacked something. And what you got after your 6 weeks was a test on docking by staff at the terminal you were out of. Or actually any terminal could test you if you requested. I was suppose to test at Phoenix but the freaking DM we had didn't want to bring us back in for hometime so I could do it so he arranged (without my permission) for driver services to set up my exam in Denver. The Denver terminal tested me as though I was a new hire so I got an entire exam from pre trip to road test and then instead of the 45 degree docking I had to do 12 different types of docking.

It was crazy compared to what I'd been prepared for. I passed though.

 

Hi, Iam starting my swift training on Monday at millington TN. Iam just wondering when I make it to the hotel sunday afternoon, do I just have to show them my ID? Also will you always have a roommate? I live in Dickson , TN (about 30 miles west of nashville) will I be able to take my truck home when I get one? Lastly for now, what is the % that my truck will be a automatic, I think would rather have a automatic. Thanks alot ......

 

I can only answer your hotel questions. Yes, all you have to do is show your ID, and yes you will have a roommate. You will more than likely have 3 roommates.