Swift Academy Phoenix, AZ

Day 1- April 25

I arrived in Phoenix on Sunday afternoon. I live 2 hours south of Phoenix so I drove my own vehicle. I am also providing my own accommodations. Class begins at 6:00am. I arrived early, around 4:45, did not want to be LATE on my first day of class. This is a huge property, as it is Swift's Main terminal and Corporate offices. I was waiting for the shuttle back to the Academy. Was offered a ride from a Gentleman in a Swift truck who picked up two other students. They were there for additional backing practice. It is about a 10 minute ride from the parking lot to the academy at 8.5 mph! That is the speed limit on the property.

There are 9 people in this class. I expected a larger class but am not complaining. It should provide more 1 on 1 contact with the instructors. Filled out some paper work, went over Company rules, policies, procedures, etc. A few Power Point presentations. Introduction to log books, map reading and trip planning. Pretty laid back day. Tomorrow morning is Drug Testing, a couple of students need new DOT physicals.

Nine students in a class...wow. You hit the student driver lottery, should be able to get plenty of practice time in. My class started out with 30. Have fun...and check out the cafeteria. It's not bad and has an amusing piece of 1/1 scale wall art near the coffee station.

Day 2- April 26

Two no shows for class today, down to 7! Filled in our new log book page. We are required to keep a paper logbook for all of our time at school. We log all of our classroom, breaks,etc. on lines 1 and 4. Good practice. Started going over Pre Trip written materials before the Clinic opened for the "Whiz Quiz". Back to the classroom, more Power Point on Safety. Out to the range for Pre Trip Demo. Started practicing on our own. With such a small class we each had our own Truck. Back to classroom. Intro to Straight Line Backing. Tomorrow we get in the Trucks for Straight Line training.

Nine students in a class...wow. You hit the student driver lottery, should be able to get plenty of practice time in. My class started out with 30. Have fun...and check out the cafeteria. It's not bad and has an amusing piece of 1/1 scale wall art near the coffee station.

They recently changed the requirements for starting at the Phoenix Academy. You must have your DOT Physical and permit BEFORE you arrive. I am assuming the stricter Physical requirements play into that. Probably sending too many people home for failing the Physical or permit test.

Day 3- April 27

Our class now has 7 students. Today was focused on Straight Line Backing, classroom and Range. Guess how many Tractors/Trailers and Backing Lanes there are...................CORRECT. 7 students 7 Trucks/Lanes. We each had a truck to ourselves all day. Probably spent a total of 4+ hours going back and forth. Every 15 minutes or so we would stop, park our truck in the box, move to the next truck and do it again. 4 Volvos and 3 Freightliners, each with their own quirks. Different seat, steering wheel adjustments, clutches, 4 way flasher switches and Tractor and Trailer brake knob locations. I was nice to be able to mix it up with all 7 trucks. Also, 1 trailer liked to track right, 1 left and one had a big bulge on the right side that hid the tandems when straight and looking thru the mirrors. By the time you could see the tandems on that side you were already off track. The two Range instructors today couldn't have been more helpful and patient. I'm beginning to wonder where all of these "horror stories come from. So far I am COMPLETELY impressed with this Academy.

Two more hours practicing Straight Line tomorrow morning and have our evaluation before lunch. Those who pass start on "hardcore" Pre Trip Inspection training and practice for the rest of the day.

Thanks again Brett and all of my Fellow TTers.

Be back tomorrow.......Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.

I know some of you out there will get that

Oh BTW. I forgot to post that on Tuesday we also signed our Contracts. EVERYTHING was explained clearly and in plain English. No legal mumbo jumbo or anything. Plain and simple. I like that. If anyone try's to tell you that they do not or did not understand the Swift Contract, they were NOT paying attention. It is Short Sweet and to the Point.

Tractor man, I just caught the thing where you "supply your own lodging". If you don't stay in the hotel, you get $500 off your contact. Did you do that?

I live close to the Memphis terminal , so I went home to a high meal and my wife while everyone else lived in the hotel. And got my tuition cut $500 off.

Tractor man, I just caught the thing where you "supply your own lodging". If you don't stay in the hotel, you get $500 off your contact. Did you do that?

The lodging here in Phoenix is over and above the $3900 tuition. It is $500 with a separate loan contract, payable at 24 or 26 per week payroll deduction.

Glad to see your progress so far pal. I'll be following this thread for sure. Good luck!

Man you got lucky with a small class! More practice time for you guys! My class we started with like 30 & finished with like 15