Swift Academy, Memphis TN

"This is important...if you have a DOT medical card, make SURE the CDL Applicant/Holder box is checked Yes. If not you get to take another physical. "

Thanks alot for posting this!!I'm I glad I read this today.I checked mune and the wrong boxes were checked.Drive straight back to get it corrected.I start on monday at the swift phoenix terminal. 😅

You're very welcome. I did a TON of research before I came here so I knew about the box, but due to the amount of physicals that were redone here it's apparent not a lot of people knew about it.

Today was our last class day...map reading and a lot of review. We're losing some of our classmates because they have to go to other states for road training and CDL testing, which is sad in some cases but good in one way...more truck time! We were told to study the heck out of pre-trip and the shifting system, so even though we're off tomorrow it looks like study is the word of the day. Looking forward to next week!

Side note: it's common knowledge that Swift doesn't have the best reputation, which might have been deserved in the past. Most of the people I've met here have been professional and serious about us getting our CDLs. They don't hold your hand here; they expect you to figure it out on your own and take the initiative to ask if you can't. We did meet a few truckers today that showed me who not to be like: they were complaining about not getting loads but also stated they don't even get up before 8 and refuse loads all the time. I'm ignoring most of their advice.

Lemmy sounds like you got this. I've only been here for three days, all class room. Friday was assigned my truck. Only two in a truck and we have eight in class. I'm leaning to XPO because they are offering a regional with weekly home time. A recruiter is supposed to be here Thursday. Hope to have more questions answered. Still enjoying your post.

Update for today:

Well, today was my first time actually driving the truck. Yep, today we did the dreaded double-clutching. It was BRUTAL at first until I got the rhythm down, then it was just cringe-worthy. Actually towards the end I didn't do too bad on my upshift, and my downshift wasn't bad until I hit the lower gears. I'm getting the hang of it though. Tomorrow morning we're doing night driving in town and practicing turns. Hopefully I can get this down more smoothly tomorrow. We're also having a pre-trip test so I better get to some last-minute studying. Good night all.

Be careful to pay attention to the tandems on turns - mirrors are useless in the dark. You need ESP and imagination, both at the same time.

Just keep aiming for the second lane out, don't cut too soon. And have fun!

Be careful to pay attention to the tandems on turns - mirrors are useless in the dark. You need ESP and imagination, both at the same time.

Just keep aiming for the second lane out, don't cut too soon. And have fun!

Dumb question: how do I keep an eye on my tandems? Do you mean using the mirrors to make sure you clear the lanes?

We hit the road at 4 this morning. I didn't do too bad but I was still having problems with my down-shifting. After 2 others drove it was my turn again and I did better. The instructor said all I needed to do was be more confident and slow my ass down when downshifting. Lol

I also passed my pre-trip test! Unfortunately I forgot to mention stupid things (like windshield wipers and u-bolts), but if I just focus on one system at a time (I tended to jump around a lot) I should do fine when it counts.

Tomorrow: more road driving!

Lemmy asks a good question:

Dumb question: how do I keep an eye on my tandems? Do you mean using the mirrors to make sure you clear the lanes?

During the day, I watch the bottom convex mirror on the inside of the turn. Yes, you're looking in two directions at once (forwards and at the rear tandems) - you'll get the hang of that.

Hint hint: suppose you need to turn right. As you approach the corner, move your truck to just inside the left white paint lane line - basketball rules out-of-bounds. As you proceed around the corner, pull straight out, then turn into the second lane out from the curb. Now watch those tandems. Steer the front wheels for their benefit.

When the tandems clear the corner, drive your front end over into the right lane.

Left turn's the same, only the other way, including pulling straight out and turning into the second lane, this time counting from the left.

Lemmy asks a good question:

Dumb question: how do I keep an eye on my tandems? Do you mean using the mirrors to make sure you clear the lanes?

During the day, I watch the bottom convex mirror on the inside of the turn. Yes, you're looking in two directions at once (forwards and at the rear tandems) - you'll get the hang of that.

Hint hint: suppose you need to turn right. As you approach the corner, move your truck to just inside the left white paint lane line - basketball rules out-of-bounds. As you proceed around the corner, pull straight out, then turn into the second lane out from the curb. Now watch those tandems. Steer the front wheels for their benefit.

When the tandems clear the corner, drive your front end over into the right lane.

Left turn's the same, only the other way, including pulling straight out and turning into the second lane, this time counting from the left.

Good information, as always.

I'm getting better at it...one of my (many) problems is I occasionally forget what gear I'm in. I'm realizing now that I need to keep an eye on how fast I'm going to rectify this, it's just a lot of things to keep track of and my brain locks up when I'm driving in Memphis traffic and I have to downshift for a turn. Today I was making a perfect lefthand turn and a 4 Wheeler decided to straddle 2 lanes and pass me on the left even though I didn't leave any room for someone to do that. My instructor was quick to point out that it wasn't my fault and that I did what I was supposed to do. I just know I would be royally ticked if someone did that to me during my driving test (auto-fail).

Lemmy juggles things:

one of my (many) problems is I occasionally forget what gear I'm in. I'm realizing now that I need to keep an eye on how fast I'm going to rectify this.

In training mode, you can't really go too slow while turning. Start in first or second, stay in third till your turn is done*, that's only one or two shifts. Listen to the engine, that leaves your eyes to be watching out for your driving.

If your instructor says different, do that. Duh!

Later you'll feel like King of the Road when you're turning and double clutch downshifting at the same time.

Lemmy juggles things:

one of my (many) problems is I occasionally forget what gear I'm in. I'm realizing now that I need to keep an eye on how fast I'm going to rectify this.

In training mode, you can't really go too slow while turning. Start in first or second, stay in third till your turn is done*, that's only one or two shifts. Listen to the engine, that leaves your eyes to be watching out for your driving.

If your instructor says different, do that. Duh!

Later you'll feel like King of the Road when you're turning and double clutch downshifting at the same time.

I'm doing better on my turns...problem I'm having now is my downshifting. I can hit the gears that I need but my timing is way off. I don't get down to 5th (the highest gear our instructor will let us turn at) quick enough. I know it's just going to take practice but I was told I'm road testing tomorrow. The instructor said we're all ready to pass the actual driving test; I just don't feel as confident.

Yeah fifth gear is a good gear to turn with. Remember this: 4th gear is the most forgiving gear for shifting into. (There is not so much grinding there). Just remember to take the selector down!

Shifting is mostly a muscle memory kind of thing. Just make sure your right elbow memorizes where it needs to be for 4th gear.

The instructors know and expect all the usual screw-ups. Nothing new there. Just aim for the other end of the test, and you'll do fine.