Profile For Spoolin

Spoolin Replied:

During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)

Unless something has changed you will also be tested on the road during orientation, about a 30 minute drive.

Yeah they sent me out with a road trainer for a week of actual road driving before going to get my full CDL then I'll head to orientation then on to mentor stage.

Sounds like they have changed-it-up a bit since I attended the Academy. Did you return to school each day or did you sleep on the trainers truck? Were you under any loads?

Yeah I'm still in school, as in I return to school everyday. Sorry I feel like I confused you guys a little.

I still have my CLP(CDL Permit). And won't test out for my actual CDL till next week.

Congrats on your progress so far!! I'm also going with Swift and just passed the cdl tests yesterday. On Monday I head to orientation have to do a road test with them. Have you already completed their road test, and if so is it very similar to the cdl test?

Thanks man, && you are further than me, I'm doing my road training as we speak and I'll test out for my full CDL this coming Wednesday.

So actually, you need to be telling me how it is! Haha.

I guess I don't understand how it works then lol. I haven't started road training with them yet, I just completed school (they sent me to a private school) and passed my state cdl tests. I'm heading to the DMV today to get my license and on Monday I go to orientation where I'm supposed to have some sort of driving test before they send me out with a trainer for several weeks. Since you went to an actual Swift academy did they just send you out with a trainer with your permit before getting your license?

Oh wow that's weird that they did it that way. How did you CDL test go today?

During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)

Yeah they sent me out with a road trainer for a week of actual road driving before going to get my full CDL then I'll head to orientation then on to mentor stage.

Have you heard anything about what choices you have with a mentor? Like can you request a flatbed, reefer etc mentor in the division you wish to eventually get in.

Congrats on your progress so far!! I'm also going with Swift and just passed the cdl tests yesterday. On Monday I head to orientation have to do a road test with them. Have you already completed their road test, and if so is it very similar to the cdl test?

Thanks man, && you are further than me, I'm doing my road training as we speak and I'll test out for my full CDL this coming Wednesday.

So actually, you need to be telling me how it is! Haha.

Thanks for the report, Spoolin. I did the Swift academy when it was still in Millington. Ask an instructor (especially Doug) about Millington.

Haha oh I've heard so many things about Millington. That's where I thought it was still at - The nasty hotels, run down facilities etc.

I don't remember any Doug's though.

Hey guys, new to the forum but been a long time reader.

I just got done with the swift in-house training and now I'm currently on the bus to do my road training and then test out for the actual CDL!

Just wanted to go over some things for some guys who might be weary or just curious - also wanted to squash some of the bad comments I see about swift training.

I began my schooling in the Memphis terminal and just finished last week(I got to come home for a week before heading to road training)

First day a lot of guys got sent home, forgetting to bring permits, SS Card/birth certificate, restrictions on license, some other basic stuff. Stuff that should have been taken care of before even taking this leap. Also a lot of guys got sent home for failing the drug test, it took about a week for them to actually get the results. It was just a UA test though, although swift is starting the hair folicle testing in January of 2016!

Overall I had a great experience, the holiday inn hotel was beautiful(only complaint would be there is no food within walking distance, although a shuttle went to Wal-Mart everyday so that was nice) instructors were really awesome guys and knew what they were doing. But just to mention, if you aren't a fast learner or self learner then you will have a hard time. The 2nd week when you are out on the range doing skills(offsets,parallel,90 degree) you will be learning on your own. I say this because there are only 1-2 instructors out there usually. And we had about 20 people with a total of 10-12 trucks. So not a lot of 1 on 1 time which I personally didn't like. If you need help out there, you must go get it, don't stand around hoping an instructor will see you struggling and come help, go grab him and tell him "Walk me through this, I'm having a hard time" remember, you got $4400 on the line.

I know swift has a bad reputation, there are a lot of jokes "If you can pee in the cup and not on your shoes, they will hire ya!" and what not but in the end some people forget to understand this is a huge starter company. Most are not "bad" driver's, they are inexperienced drivers and that's something some people forget to realize because there is a big difference.

I hope to update this a few more times on how road training goes, I might start a new topic on how my mentor stage goes(I hope I don't get a quack! Been reading too many mentor horror stories haha)

Until then, you guys stay safe out there.

If any new or upcoming swift students have any questions please feel free to ask, I know I wish I had some people to ask questions to about what's next in the school part.

Cheers!