Swift Acadamy, Millington TN
Hey all. I just now got my own truck with Swift (a pretty nice one Freighliner), but I wish I had been better prepared for the process leading to this stage. To possibly help someone else out there I am going to detail my experiences with the Swift Academy in Milington, TN. Obviously no writings are free of bias, but I will try to be as fair and factual as I can.
You will ride the Grayhound to Millington, TN. Some guys I knew had to ride 36 hours and I imagine some rode more than that.
You will stay at the Admirality Inn. Swift only provides room, you are expected to buy all your own food and supplies such as pens and paper.
Pros: Buffett next door. The Fred's across the street will sell all the supplies and food you need. Don't make the trek to the walmart or supermarket unless you feel like eating fancy.
Cons: It is you and 3 other guys in a very small room. When one of you gets kicked out they will either break up a room with less than 4 and reshuffle a guy to your room or your group will get reshuffled. I had to move twice. Minor pain in the ass. If one guy in your room has a cold you'll all probably get it. Fred's sells plenty of medicine.
Your class will start out at about 130 people the first day. Based on my observatons of 5 different classes, that will whittle down to about 70 or so at the end of the 3 weeks. Most will be gone within the first week due to failed drug screens and criminal background checks. At the tail end of my 3rd week they were still sending people home due to child support problems, unpaid parking tickets, etc. If you leave for any reason you have to pay your own way back home. I had a kidney stone, missed one day of class, and had to buy my own bus ticket home. They did pay for the ticket coming back up a few weeks later when they could fit me into a class again.
For the most part the people you will meet will be nice, mature and, like you, trying to make a better life for themselves. Understand though that when you first get there criminal background checks are still being run. Don't bring anything expensive. One guy had a small TV and X-Box stolen.
There are 3 parts to the training: Paper Study, Backing, and Driving, each one lasting one week. Paper study is learning DOT regs, watching some films, log classes, etc. If you don't have a CDL you will have to trade out your current driver's liscence for a TN CDL Learner's Permit. I already had a CDL, but apparently the failure rate for the test was not too high.
The instructor's attitudes range from really helpful to condescending. They see 130 people every week and I got the impression that they had reached the 'I am no longer dealing with people' stage in some cases. But for every bad case there were at least two teachers who were at least ambivalent and one who was really helpful.
The backing is just that. You have to straight line back, alley back, and parrallell. It's not hard, but you don't get much in the way of instruction either. If you want help you have to track down an instructor and pretty much demand that he come over. You might get 5 minutes then. All in all, be prepared to learn on your own and with the help of your fellow students.
The road part of the academy is better. I had two different instructors, both great guys. There was one ******* instructor who yelled at his students but they complained and he got removed. Don't hesitate to raise a stink and stand up for yourself. Anyhow, for that 3rd week you'll practice basic driving manuevers.
During all of this, you're going to get out what you put in. If you goof off you will fail out. And after the 3rd day, even if you fail you still owe $3900. But overall they want you to succeed and, in my opinion, will fudge a little bit if you're busting your ass and aren't obviously incompetent.
They are very strict about the no beer thing, don't even try it. Don't dick around at all, just keep your nose to the grindstone and get through. Realize you are not going to have any privacy, you'll be surrounded by strangers you most likely would not associate with in your regular life, you will be dirty and tired.
After the first week there are two shifts: Day and Night. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Both run about 12-14 hours/day each for all three weeks.
I would bring at least $500 for your 3 weeks there. You can do it with less, but things like coke, detergent, pens, etc., all that **** will nickle and dime you to death. The hotel rooms do have fridges, stoves, and microwaves in the mini-kitchen. If you can wait a week you can probably buy some food real cheap from a washout who's heading home. I would not reccomend buying more than 3 days or so food at a time due to the possibility of washing out, theft, or having to move and lug that food maybe all the way across the hotel.
I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out, sorry. Your 6 weeks with your mentor will be better. They have very strict rules they have to abide by. I got a cool O/O that I got along with, some of the guys I knew weren't so lucky. Remember that you have the power to get off that truck anytime you want and request a new mentor. Don't tolerate anyone belittling you or yelling at you, etc. Act courteous and professional and demand the same of them.
After your 6 weeks you'll get 4 days at home. Thats where I'm at now.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, I'll be home one more day.
Adios and Meow at you on the Road!
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