Swift Transportation Academy Phoenix

Devan,

First of all, good luck to you!

I'm looking forward to continuing to review your posts of your experience at the Swift Academy.

I'm scheduled to start my Swift Academy classes in Memphis 2 weeks from today. I'm excited to begin this new chapter in my life but at the same time I'm also very nervous because I want to do my best and learn as much as I can.

It'll be awesome to continue to read your posts to know what I'm going to be experiencing very shortly. I will admit, I'm going to be really curious to definitely see your posts regarding what it's like when you go out with your mentor.

Please keep up the good work and don't give up! There are many of us newbies that are going to thoroughly enjoy reading your experiences and learning from you as well.

Day 8

Had today off. It was nice to get some time off and recharge the batteries. Spent most of the day studying the pretrip and napping. Didn't realize how exhausted I actually am until today. That sun has sure taken its toll. Can't stress enough to be prepared especially as it gets hotter here. Thankfully this week is going to be a bit cooler.

Also got to go to Walmart and stock up on supplies. This change in diet is starting to take its toll on me. I am slowly making adjustments so I can eat a bit healthier. I don't want too many health issues in the future.

That's all for today. I will let you guys know about how tomorrow goes. I do not want to repeat pretrip week!

Robert I sent you a PM. Look in your regular email.

Day 9

Pretrip evaluation today. I did real well, I was surprised that I wasn't very nervous. All I can say is start studying the day you get the info that way you don't have to cram like I did and you just have to review on the off day.

Today was when the fun begins. Range training is all we do this week. Practicing offset and parallel parking. I must say it is quite easy. These instructors explain it so easily. True they held our hand throughout the process, but by the end of the day we understood what was needed to do these maneuvers.

Don't want to get too overconfident but the straight line backing pretty much made me better understand backing as a whole. I must remember though that these are all I have to do to pass the test. The way Swift has everything set up, I am confident I will have my CDL next week. It's almost like the tough part will be when I actually get out there.

See you tomorrow to let you know what happens!

Don't get over confident now. That's when you start to make mistakes. Every time I would think "oh I got this no problem" I would screw up and get myself in a situation that I had no idea how to fix. Take things slow, make sure you understand your angles from inside and outside the truck, and always listen when someone gives you advice. I will listen to everyone's ideas on how to do something and try it out, then figure out what worked best for me.

But you got this!

Devan is cool as a cucumber:

Don't want to get too overconfident but the straight line backing pretty much made me better understand backing as a whole.

True, straight backing helps get the idea of how a tractor and trailer work as you back up. But in the next phase (offset & parallel) you will be looking for a tiny orange "money cone" that is always hiding behind the trailer.

Two things in Swift backing practice that are different from real life: no pull-ups, so you have to be right the first time, and the target zones (where the cones are) are smaller than the targets at the DMV test.

These help you go crazy (ask ChickieMonster) and when you get to the DMV your test will be easier than you expect.

Day 10

Pretripped the trucks this morning and then we did skills all day. The Arizona test is pretty easy so all we have to pass is straight line, parallel, and off set. I noticed in some other states there is more requirements.

I am finding the skills to not be super difficult. If anything I need more work on my parallel set up, but I am making it in the box with not too many issues.

I will continue to report, but it will be the same thing up until evaluations on Saturday and then road week will start on Monday!

I am enjoying my time here. The instructors are great and they all love what they do. It's a lot of fun to finally move these trucks around and it feels so encouraging to do so. I can't stress enough to anyone starting school to just relax, don't quit, and have fun! I know because I am smiling like an idiot the whole time we are on the range haha.

Sounds good. Just post your impressions of the skills you're learning, and other fun stuff.

Day 11

Well I did get a little overconfident, but I am starting to notice things when I back. My biggest issue isn't the action itself but actually my set up.

I am also messing myself up because I release the break to early so I roll a bit forward and it messes up my next move. Other than these things I am enjoying this and can't wait to be out there actually driving. Sorry that these posts are getting a little bland, but not much to note.

Day 12

Another day of driving around the range and doing skills. I must say I am impressing myself. We had the option to evaluate early. I wasn't feeling to confident, but after seeing most of the people volunteer, I decided to as well.

When it was my time to go, I wasn't even nervous. I really surprised myself by how relaxed I was. First I did the straight line, which is pretty easy now. Then I did offset. Here we only offset to the left. Anyways I surprised myself because I got it in the alley without having to pull up. Lastly I had to do the parallel. My set up was perfect, by the time I was finished doing my movements I was in the right spot.

I am so hapy and impressed with myself. I went from wanting to give up to actually understanding what to do. It takes time, but you will get it. Just relax and have fun!