swift road test

[satch]

can anyone tell me what the swift road test consists of for someone with a cdl but no expierence coming in for orientation. is there a writen test as well?

[crankyazz]

you can expect both, but why would you want to work for swift? been there done that.. there are better companies out there ... read some of the threads on swift, but by all means good luck if you go with them/.

[satch]

cranky asks "why would you want to work for swift" for me it"s down to to choices swift or prime. (rtc.) at this point iam leaning more towrds swift. everyone has to start someplace unfortuanatly you have to start at the bottom not the top thats what the old timers call paying your dues. anyway the road test given by the companey is it in the yard or actualy on the road?

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[Jackrabbit379]

When having a DOT physical,most major carriers have their drivers lift boxes to make sure that they will be capable for the job.

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[geeshock]

cranky asks "why would you want to work for swift" for me it"s down to to choices swift or prime. (rtc.) at this point iam leaning more towrds swift. everyone has to start someplace unfortuanatly you have to start at the bottom not the top thats what the old timers call paying your dues. anyway the road test given by the companey is it in the yard or actualy on the road?

I work for swift and have no problemsa with them but why only swift or prime? there are plenty of others out there, schnider, werner, western express, jb hunt just to name a few. There are many companies that will train you. Look at as many as you can and make the best decision you can.

As for the tests, if they are the same as when I went through the class, you'll take the writen test at the end of the 1st week, pre-trip and backing in the second week, and road test on the 3rd week, after that you'll be with a mentor for 6 weeks.

[Silver85327]

I just finished my school with swift am waiting to go to orientation and then my 6 weeks with a mentor.

I got in Tuesday stayed at the motel, Wednesday was paper work contracts, dot physical drug screen etc etc.

Thursday through Sunday was classroom, Monday was down to the DPS to take the 5 written tests.

class a permit
combination vehicle
air brakes
general knowledge
one other I can't remember the name of

After passing the 5 tests you go back to hotel, Tuesday you start on the backing range

Tuesday and Wednesday is straight line backing
Thursday and Friday are parallel parking

sat and sun off

Monday to the shifting range up shifting and down shifting no throttle double clutching to 5Th gear if your in an 8 speed 4Th if a 10 speed
Tuesday you start shifting at 1000 rpm
Wednesday shifting at 1500 rpm

Thursday and Friday are in the truck with a trailer probably a 48 ' but I got a 53 ' Mostly service roads and industrial parks keeping you away from the general public until you learn how to turn and prove you ca control the vehicle

sat and sun off

Monday through Wednesday is more driving except now your in traffic.

Thursday down to DPS again for the road test.

Hope that helps you

[dirtclod]

Satch

Just finished training at Swift in KC ..the school is alot like what Silver explained, except we didn't get the weekend off ..its a 3 week course and the road test is one of the last things you will do before you test for the DMV....there road test is KC is out on the road...for me it was in rush hour traffic in KC ..wasn't that bad as long as you watch everything and everybody like a hawk...use all your mirrors..

There skills test is in the yard ...
As far as I know if you already have a class a CDL you will still have to pass all of the Swift stuff ....you just won't have to go to DEPT Of Motor Vehicles ..if your CDL is Current....

good luck...I hope this helps


Dirtclod

[fireman932003]

I have heard a lot of drivers going to Swift have had problems getting good trucks when they start. I talked to a guy just yesterday that tried three different trucks before he got one to start on the yard when they were assigning trucks at the end of orientation. Is this the norm or is this just a fluke?

[dirtclod]

I don't Know I am about to find out.... :shock: Fireman

I hope not but I won't be surprized either...I have taked to a few of the drivers and alot of these guys ended up with new Volvo..after they wined about the first truck they were givin....I will soon find out ...when I do I will let you know...

Dirtclod

[Random_Facts]

I just finished my school with swift am waiting to go to orientation and then my 6 weeks with a mentor.

I got in Tuesday stayed at the motel, Wednesday was paper work contracts, dot physical drug screen etc etc.

Thursday through Sunday was classroom, Monday was down to the DPS to take the 5 written tests.

class a permit
combination vehicle
air brakes
general knowledge
one other I can't remember the name of

After passing the 5 tests you go back to hotel, Tuesday you start on the backing range

Tuesday and Wednesday is straight line backing
Thursday and Friday are parallel parking

sat and sun off

Monday to the shifting range up shifting and down shifting no throttle double clutching to 5Th gear if your in an 8 speed 4Th if a 10 speed
Tuesday you start shifting at 1000 rpm
Wednesday shifting at 1500 rpm

Thursday and Friday are in the truck with a trailer probably a 48 ' but I got a 53 ' Mostly service roads and industrial parks keeping you away from the general public until you learn how to turn and prove you ca control the vehicle

sat and sun off

Monday through Wednesday is more driving except now your in traffic.

Thursday down to DPS again for the road test.

Hope that helps you

Shifting? I thought swift had an all Automantic fleet. Unless they train you on a manual because you can't get your license driving an automantic? Is that how that works. I learned on the good old manual But was curious on that..

[PackRatTDI]

I just finished my school with swift am waiting to go to orientation and then my 6 weeks with a mentor.

I got in Tuesday stayed at the motel, Wednesday was paper work contracts, dot physical drug screen etc etc.

Thursday through Sunday was classroom, Monday was down to the DPS to take the 5 written tests.

class a permit
combination vehicle
air brakes
general knowledge
one other I can't remember the name of

After passing the 5 tests you go back to hotel, Tuesday you start on the backing range

Tuesday and Wednesday is straight line backing
Thursday and Friday are parallel parking

sat and sun off

Monday to the shifting range up shifting and down shifting no throttle double clutching to 5Th gear if your in an 8 speed 4Th if a 10 speed
Tuesday you start shifting at 1000 rpm
Wednesday shifting at 1500 rpm

Thursday and Friday are in the truck with a trailer probably a 48 ' but I got a 53 ' Mostly service roads and industrial parks keeping you away from the general public until you learn how to turn and prove you ca control the vehicle

sat and sun off

Monday through Wednesday is more driving except now your in traffic.

Thursday down to DPS again for the road test.

Hope that helps you

Shifting? I thought swift had an all Automantic fleet. Unless they train you on a manual because you can't get your license driving an automantic? Is that how that works. I learned on the good old manual But was curious on that..

I hadn't heard that Swift used automatics. US Express is all auto I think.

[Skullitor]

Swift and Central Ref use 9 speed manual trannies.

[Volvofreak]

If you join straight from CDL school, you will not be road tested. You will be assigned a trainer and after 6 weeks on the road training, you will take a very easy short road test. After 6 weeks, a road test is small potatoes.

Swift is a good newb company, believe it or not. At Swift, you will travel from terminal to terminal and will not have to deal with the truckstop scum.

The truck you will get after training will be old (mine was a late '90s FLD Freightliner).

After 6 months, you will be in a new Volvo.

If you go in to run as a team, you will get a new truck.

Swift is a good company, you just must stick it out of the newbie phase (6 Mos.)

Another plus with Swift is the fact that you are in a first name bases with your driver manager/dispatcher. You see him in person when you go thru your home terminal. He knows you and you know him and thus, you get treated like a real person, not a number. This is the biggest and most important thing that swift has over the other newb companies.

Good luck where ever you go, but, the burgers and /or steaks don't get better than the ones served up at the "Jake Brake" cafe at the Swift home terminal in Pheonix.

Drive on,
Lon

[T * Storm]

class a permit
combination vehicle
air brakes
general knowledge
one other I can't remember the name of

Doubles/triples? Hazmat?