Confirmed SWIFT ACADEMY Millingtom, TN Leaving On 04-30-16
Topic 14104 | Page 4
Make sure you don't make the mistake I did and bring too much. I was told to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow for the mentor phase, but considering you go back to your home state after you pass the CDL test, then come back for orientation after you get your actual CDL, it was stuff that I really don't need right now. All you really need is your clothes and stuff for class. Wish I had known that before...
My name is Mike btw. I'll try to look you up when you get here and help where I can.
Thanks for reminding me that mike. I'm bringing my backpack ( the one i posted above ) and make sure I have enough clothes for the whole class and mentor thing. I'd rather have enough than being short you know. With regards to pillow , I'm not bringing some. I will just buy one at Walmart the rest of the stuff that I need for the whole trucking once I get my actual CDL will be taking care off after the driving test so I have plenty of time.
Good deal. However, you won't need more than a week's worth of clothes. You'll be home again before the mentor phase. The hotel (which is pretty decent) has washing machines and dryers so that's a plus. You might need a thin jacket for class time because it gets a bit chilly in there, and something waterproof for the range. We don't stop training unless there's lightning, and it's gonna be rainy here soon.
You'll probably be in the Swift conference room for a while when you get here. I'll try to pop in and say hi after class.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Make sure you don't make the mistake I did and bring too much. I was told to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow for the mentor phase, but considering you go back to your home state after you pass the CDL test, then come back for orientation after you get your actual CDL, it was stuff that I really don't need right now. All you really need is your clothes and stuff for class. Wish I had known that before...
My name is Mike btw. I'll try to look you up when you get here and help where I can.
Thanks for reminding me that mike. I'm bringing my backpack ( the one i posted above ) and make sure I have enough clothes for the whole class and mentor thing. I'd rather have enough than being short you know. With regards to pillow , I'm not bringing some. I will just buy one at Walmart the rest of the stuff that I need for the whole trucking once I get my actual CDL will be taking care off after the driving test so I have plenty of time.
Good deal. However, you won't need more than a week's worth of clothes. You'll be home again before the mentor phase. The hotel (which is pretty decent) has washing machines and dryers so that's a plus. You might need a thin jacket for class time because it gets a bit chilly in there, and something waterproof for the range. We don't stop training unless there's lightning, and it's gonna be rainy here soon.
You'll probably be in the Swift conference room for a while when you get here. I'll try to pop in and say hi after class.
Wait, you mean to say they will send us home again before even going with a trainer??
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Flatie sits up with a start:
Wait, you mean to say they will send us home again before even going with a trainer??
The school/ Academy prepares you for your DMV skills test. Then you take your state's skills test.
Now last July the FMCSA made a rule that the skills test can be taken in any state, under a qualified CMV Examiner. That state then sends the results to your home state and it's "good to go". You still need your state's hard copy license.
I was in the Academy before all this change, so I don't know how it all really pans out.
But, you will probably be sent to a Swift terminal in or near your home state and do what it takes to get your license. CMV in hand, you get a mentor, wherever you are. You don't necessarily get a mentor in Memphis.
(I'm guessing at some of this because I live near the Memphis terminal so I did everything through that terminal.)
Does that help?
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Flatie sits up with a start:
Wait, you mean to say they will send us home again before even going with a trainer??
The school/ Academy prepares you for your DMV skills test. Then you take your state's skills test.
Now last July the FMCSA made a rule that the skills test can be taken in any state, under a qualified CMV Examiner. That state then sends the results to your home state and it's "good to go". You still need your state's hard copy license.
I was in the Academy before all this change, so I don't know how it all really pans out.
But, you will probably be sent to a Swift terminal in or near your home state and do what it takes to get your license. CMV in hand, you get a mentor, wherever you are. You don't necessarily get a mentor in Memphis.
(I'm guessing at some of this because I live near the Memphis terminal so I did everything through that terminal.)
Does that help?
Thanks for clarifying, Errol.
Flatie, there are two of us from OK in my class, and both of us will be testing here in Memphis. The way it was explained to me was after you pass the test, you go back to OK to get your hard copy of your CDL then contact the training manager here so you can come back for orientation. Then you leave with a trainer.
That's how I understand it, anyway. I could be wrong.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Thank you Errol and Mike! I'm in greyhound bus now I'm gonna get crazy with the stops hahaha!
"A short prayer is said as she embarks that greyhound"
I think that greyhound ride is one of the rites of passage lol. Never again
I think that greyhound ride is one of the rites of passage lol. Never again
Agreed. Roanoke to Dallas. I could do a blog on that trip alone.
I'm very comfortable in my greyhound ride! Only 8 people inside the bus plus I have free wifi and outlet! I'm just chilling and reading some pre-trip videos in youtube while eating. I like the AC too!
It's a first time riding a greyhound bus and not a worst experience so far! I'm like flying very comfy! I don't mind the sitting position for a long hrs I'm used to it..
BTW, What happened to my avatar? All I can see is greyhound logo? Rofl 😂😂
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Thanks for reminding me that mike. I'm bringing my backpack ( the one i posted above ) and make sure I have enough clothes for the whole class and mentor thing. I'd rather have enough than being short you know. With regards to pillow , I'm not bringing some. I will just buy one at Walmart the rest of the stuff that I need for the whole trucking once I get my actual CDL will be taking care off after the driving test so I have plenty of time.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: