New: My Swift Experience So Far.

Phillip good luck finish8ng things up there in Columbus. I am a flatbed mentor for Swift. Look forward to seeing you on the road soon. Listen and learn from your mentor while on thier truck. That is where the real world learning starts. If you have any questions reach out.

That is awesome! I eventually want to move to flatbed but was told I need dry van experience first. I just passed today! 1 shot the state test! I’m excited to start my career now and I hope to see you on the road or maybe when I switch over to flatbed.

I DID IT .. and now I’m going to tell you more about my experience with Swift Academy.

After finishing my range hours (30) and getting through the evaluation. ( pre trip, 6 maneuvers) It was time to go on the road. (10 hours) I had an outstanding instructor for the road. He showed me how wide and when and where to make my turns to. How to enter and Exit a Highway. How to slow crawl to a stop leaving enough distance behind the vehicle in front of me, in case they stall you want room to go around. Most of all he made me comfortable behind the wheel and confident with my turns, stops, and positioning.

I would highly recommend these guys at Swift Academy! When I was uncomfortable with anything I spoke up and they adjusted to help me and in a matter of 3 weeks (classroom included 1 week) I have a CDL and I’m very proud.

I’m not sure if it’s every state but Ohio currently has the Alley Dock (90) as a possible test maneuver. There are 3 different maneuvers you could possibly get and an app decides your fate. From easiest to hardest in majority opinion it’s as followed, Driver Side Parallel, Blind Side Parallel, and the dreaded Alley Dock ( or 90 )

I got the Alley Dock! It’s rare with only a 33% chance to get it. And usually a quick end to a test day.

I started with a straight backing. Then a Left to right Offset Both are very simple if you have followed instructions and remember the simple formulas. I got 0 points. (Points are bad mmmk) Now the dreaded Alley Dock. This is hard to teach because the formula is a guide line that you have to tweak to fit you and it’s 70% freestyle. (LEARN TO DRIVE THAT TRAILER) I made it to the Alley Dock with 14 points possible to spare before I failed. I got in there was a little close to the driver side slightly crooked. I used a G.O.A.L. (Get out and look) and as I looked down the line I thought my lug nuts might be on the line. I opted to fix it causing me to get points for a line, and 2 extra pull ups. (4 points total) I used my last free G.O.A.L. and saw I was straight and in the box with my bumper got back in the cab, closed my door, and honked my horn. I DID IT! IT FELT GREAT!

Lastly I went on the road (31 points to fail) my driving instructor forgot to mention look left and right before, during, and after an intersection. I was told right before going to the test site. I tried to remember it while focusing. I got 13/31 points in the end and Passed!

If I can give any input to help others pass. Remember your maneuvers. Learn to drive that trailer. Look left and right before, during, and after crossing an intersection. And for gods sake STUDY THAT PRE TRIP!

I forgot to mention the pre trip was the first thing I did. Aced it!

So the order you do everything in is as follows. Pre trip Backing maneuvers On the road And if you pass one but fail another you don’t have to repeat what you have passed. But you do have to stay longer to retest. You get 3 total fails before you have to wait for 1 year to do it all again.

Confidence is key! Confidence does not mean ****iness. And good luck to everyone trying to do this.

I will continue to update while I’m with my mentor. (Only on downtimes) I still have a ton to learn and want to make sure I take everything in without distractions.

Thank you all for being so welcoming!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Thank you!!!

Congratulations on the first step. I’ll see you out there soon enough. Can’t miss me going down the road. I am the only blue swift kenworth flying a 3 x5 American flag off the back everyday.

Nicely done Sir!! Congrats!!

Way to go! That's awesome! Congrats on getting through it on the first try. For me, it was try number 2. The first time I was nervous beyond belief; don't know why. But sure was a bummer to mess that up. But second try was a breeze.

Wish you continued success with your new journey!

Congratulations! I drove for Swift 8+ years, great experience.

Best of luck in the mentoring phase.

Congrats! Keep up the good work.