Profile For Desert_Rat

I chose JP because of the class size (5 students at a time), newer trucks, and I thought moving to Montana would be nice.

Don't get me wrong, Arizona is nice, but I'm kinda sick of the heat!

Hi desert rat I curious why did you pick jim Palmer first

Thank you Retha!

I recently finished swift. A guy in my class had the same issue. He needed notorized letters from 3 people who could verify his situation. Talk to the recruiter they will tell you exactly what you need. I start orientation Tuesday and will run it by them.

Errol, I haven't been hanging out in Margaritaville LOL! I don't even drink. I explored the idea of starting my own repair business. I did not actually start it up hence no gov't forms or anything like that. I had saved enough money back to do this "exploration" but found there wasn't enough interest in the area I wanted to start up in so I abandoned the idea.

I have done some work for friends this summer (under the table) and have many good references so that's not an issue.

I can almost see Weavers Needle from my place and can see the western end of the Superstitions (Flat Iron/Brooks Peak) from here. No, I haven't been looking for the Dutchman's gold LOL! Quite a few people die out here looking for it though.

The notarized letter thing comes from this site under the Swift company review.

I'm interested to hear from any recent or current Swift trainees on this letter thing.

Thanks all!

Thanks guys. I haven't talked to anybody at Swift yet, but from the review on this site of Swift it mentions "the letter". I was just wondering if someone other than me had to be present (other than the notary) when the letter is signed and notarized. On a side note, studying The High Road program here has helped immensely and have passed the Montana and Arizona on-line practice tests with ease!

Back story, I left my job of 13 years (boat mechanic) back in May to explore starting my own business. In late July I realized that starting my own business in the area I wanted to wasn't going to work out. I'm also tired of working on things (being a mechanic all my life). I applied with Jim Palmer for CDL schooling. The recruiter, who was very nice I might add, said everything on my app looked great and had a start date for early September. 10 days ago I received an e-mail that I had been denied and a DAC and DMV report were sent to me. There's nothing on my DAC and only an SR-22 filing on my DMV report which is why I "think" I was denied. An SR-22 in Arizona is an insurance certificate basically stating that I have insurance on my vehicle. This was from 2007 when I dropped insurance on a vehicle I didn't drive anymore but the ins. co. reported it to DMV and I had to have it on my policy. This SR-22 should have been dropped after 3 years but the ins. co. left it on there for some reason. After spending the day at the DMV and my ins. co. I had it removed.

Now I'm looking at applying to Swift in Phoenix which is local to me but read they want a notarized letter explaining why I was unemployed for more than 30 days.

What should this letter contain? Is it just a short letter explaining my circumstance of exploring a new business? Who should be the co-signer of said notarized letter? Should it be family or friends that know me? Confused on this.

I'm not giving up on driving a truck. It's something that's interested me since the mid 80's and now seems to be the "right time" in my life to go for it.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks!

Tell them the truth, simple, direct and to the point. Co-signing and a Notarized signature are two different and unrelated things.

Write the letter, print your name at the bottom and sign in the presence of a Notary Public; they will then sign and apply their stamp. Have three references standing by for future use.

Back story, I left my job of 13 years (boat mechanic) back in May to explore starting my own business. In late July I realized that starting my own business in the area I wanted to wasn't going to work out. I'm also tired of working on things (being a mechanic all my life). I applied with Jim Palmer for CDL schooling. The recruiter, who was very nice I might add, said everything on my app looked great and had a start date for early September. 10 days ago I received an e-mail that I had been denied and a DAC and DMV report were sent to me. There's nothing on my DAC and only an SR-22 filing on my DMV report which is why I "think" I was denied. An SR-22 in Arizona is an insurance certificate basically stating that I have insurance on my vehicle. This was from 2007 when I dropped insurance on a vehicle I didn't drive anymore but the ins. co. reported it to DMV and I had to have it on my policy. This SR-22 should have been dropped after 3 years but the ins. co. left it on there for some reason. After spending the day at the DMV and my ins. co. I had it removed.

Now I'm looking at applying to Swift in Phoenix which is local to me but read they want a notarized letter explaining why I was unemployed for more than 30 days.

What should this letter contain? Is it just a short letter explaining my circumstance of exploring a new business? Who should be the co-signer of said notarized letter? Should it be family or friends that know me? Confused on this.

I'm not giving up on driving a truck. It's something that's interested me since the mid 80's and now seems to be the "right time" in my life to go for it.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks!

Aaron, great update! How is your shifting doing?

Yeah, the guy who does it will switch it up. Sometimes people will do the engine some won't. I got lucky and didn't have to! I would of be fine doing it whatever way tho but still was nice to just breeze on through it.

Missouri was random about what parts you would do for the pre-trip. It was possible to get the full pre-trip. One guy from my school did. Better talk fast to get it done in the time limit!

I did front of the tractor, engine compartment and coupling system. Plus the lights check.

Thanks both of you! I figured that's what it was, a random section, but it could be any section. I'm studying the whole thing of course.

Oh, when you did the pre-trip, did you just do what you stated? Mirror, door, fuel tank, coupler and that's it? The examiner didn't have you pull the hood or do a complete walk around?

Way to go Aaron! Thanks for posting how the actual test went. I'll be there Sept. 6th to start my training.

Aaron, how big of a duffle bag or luggage are you carrying with your trainer? Carry-on and a sleeping bag or something bigger? Thanks!