Hey guys, I just started SWIFT school and decided to reprt how things are going on here. I had a lot of questions and couldnt find info on going through their school.... so here goes.
Monday- ( 9/10) 7pm. I left Savannah GA and headed to Millington, TN. Via Greyhound.. (awful bus ride... but thats another story)
Tuesday- Arrived here at about 10am and shuttle picked us up at 12. We got to the hotel, got our room assignments and went to our rooms. Thew rooms here are decent (just dont expect a hilton and you'll be fine. My room has 4 beds. 1 in the living room, and 3 in the bedroom. My brother in law came up here with me, so we got put in a room together. We went to Kroger (very close) and bought some groceries, and pretty much sat around the rest of the afternoon, getting to know our roomates.
Weds - You meet behind Ryans steak house at 5:15. am. All you do on wednessday is go to the classroom and do all your drug testing, physical, vision, eye and paperwork. The "workwell test" is easy if you only do dry van, the flatbed test is a little harder. lifting 85 pounds to eye heighth, the "right" way. Then you go to the terminal in memphis and meet your processor. (you'll gat a 6" sub for lunch). You also get your manuals and homework assignment here. If you want to be ahead of the game i'd get a Tennessee CDL manual (free) before you get here, and STUDY it.
Thurs- DMV day. Let me say this, every document they tell you to bring is important. If you dont bring it you'll have to get it OVERNIGHTED to you, so make sure you bring it.
You go and WAIT and WAIT and WAIT to get your Drivers Lic. switched to a TN license. There's some instruction on this day, just make sure you do all of your homework.
Friday - Intro to log books, more instruction ( You'll be lost if you didn't read that book!) and more paperwork.
Sat - Pre test and get to see a rig for the first time. You'll watch the instructor couple and uncouple a trailer and get into log books a little more. Then, more review.
Sun - TESTING. General knowledge, combo's and Air brakes. You have to make an 80% average to go to the DMV tomorrow to get your CDL-A permit. Thats where i am now. I made a 91% average, and am ready for the DMV tomorrow. You also start learning mapping and logging.
On a personal note, i had some issues with my background check, but after going through their investigations Dept and winning an appeal with the review board, things are looking good. The instructors are really good. JV, Joel, Jimmy and Tony. Joel is a little eccentric, but he's a cool guy. All of these guys have been out there for YEARS! The only complaint i have so far, other than recruiter BS, is the size of the class. be prepared for 180 people plus. We're already down to 140ish. People not have stuff, failing physicals and drug tests, needing doctors realeases, having license issues, issues with background tests. Our maual states that if you fail a drug test or fail to disclose background info, you pay your own way home, but after asking i was given one home. thank god i didnt have to use it. So anyway.
So far, all i can say is be prepared to study and go to sleep after calss. People are staying up till like 1 am (me) studying and almost passing out in class! I'll you updated as i can. Please feel free to ask questions. I'll answer what i can. OH and be early for the bus, or you'll end up in an aisle!