Comments By Lil Triscuit

Hey all,

I am sorry for not updating yesterday. I have been kind of down these past two days. There's been a lot of sitting around and staring at my phone throughout the day. I've studied as much as I can and have the stuff I need to know memorized and you can only stand outside, in the freezing wind or 50mph wind for so long so... sitting in the classroom on the phone has been the thing the past two days.

Yesterday we did our MapTrip, Logging, and Math tests. We covered how to use the Trucker Atlas, how to properly log, and how to use recaps and the math associated. Our scores were posted, for the entire class. Lots of people failed tests and, if you failed a test, you cannot graduate. I have an overall of well above 90%. They handed out many packets of paperwork, one of which is an 8-page packet that is due on Monday. It just covers the pre-trip and other things in the binder that they gave you.

Today we were released to start our parallel backing and offset backing. We did that from 0700 to 0900. We were supposed to have a BMV examiner in the class, at 0900, to talk to us about the test and what to expect, but he did not show. From 0900 to 1000 we sat in the class while people re-did their tests. At 1030, we were ushered into another classroom and told that is our new home. We took lunch at 1100.

At 1200, they started taking more people for their backing maneuvers and road demonstrations. During that time, I worked on pre-trip and played on my phone until about 1530. I was taken for a road demonstration from 1530 until 1600. The instructor covered shifting, operating the vehicle, and several other things (including specifics on the road test and 4-point brake test).

I hope you guys have a great weekend!

Day 3 is complete.

Class started at 0645. Most folks were on-time, there were still some stragglers who showed up late, again. We started off by turning in our test from last night and taking our DOT Test and Entry-Level test. I have a word of wisdom... make sure you have all of the test questions in your book. Ask Brad how many questions are on the test and make sure you have that many. My book was missing a page and I didn't answer the questions and it hurt my grade. We went out to the pad at 0915 and stayed out there working on pre-trip until 1100.

We went to lunch at 1100 and returned at 1200. Everybody was on-time except for one person, he enjoyed his 1:20 lunch, I am sure, until he got pulled by the school.

We did the MapTrip section and took the test. This took until 1515. We then covered the pre-trip, in detail, in the classroom. Brad covered every single detail and how to study for the pre-trip. The goal is to be ready to test, for the pre-trip, by next Wednesday.

Brad gave us study material to cover logging and math, which is the majority of tomorrow's class. Class ended at 1600. I went, with a friend, to do some pre-trip practice and breezed through the entire pre-trip in 23 minutes. I was pretty stoked.

I hope you all have a great evening!

Second day has been completed!

The day started at 0645. There were about half of us in our seats when Brad started taking attendance. He said he had quite a few people call in sick (for their first day of training?!) and he did not know where the rest of the people were. They showed up intermittently between 0700 and 0930... not good.

We had a few new handouts. The first was the C1 pre-trip study guide. This gives you pictures of what you're looking for with arrows that point and describe the part. It includes those items you need to know for your state exam and reference items. We were also given a binder with all of the exams we will be taking (those binders stay in the classroom).

The morning started off with those with a Permit being ushered outside (in 25 degree weather) and watching an instructor (Dion) do the pre-trip inspection. We were then broken up into groups of six (2 groups) and he went over the in-cab inspection and 4-point break check with each group individually. We then went and started straight line backing, one group with Dion and one group with Ed. Those with no experience got two attempts and then tested out for straight line backing (Dion's reasoning was that they are trying to eliminate test anxiety early on). Those with experience got one attempt and then tested out for straight line backing.

Those without their permit did things in Brad's room. I don't know what they did, I am sorry. I do know one person failed their first test and quit then and there. I would provide the insight and words of wisdom that anything you are trying to accomplish is going to require dedication and is going to present a challenge. The EASIEST thing to do is quit. Don't do the easiest thing, push through it. The reward ALWAYS outweighs the easiest course of action.

We were sent to lunch at 1100 and told to be back in Brad's room at 1200. I returned at 1135 (McDonald's is in the C1 parking lot).

We returned to find two copies of our DOT physicals and a copy of our contract. Dion took those who had not completed their straight line back and completed that with them. While we sat with Brad, he covered specifics on the pre-trip inspection and gave us tips and tricks. Brad also reminded us that the trucks are available for our use anytime, 24/7. We are not allowed to start the trucks without an instructor present but we can pre-trip them as much as we want. During lunch and breaks we can start them without an instructor, but no other time.

Dion took all of us out to the range at 1315 and covered off-set backing and parallel parking. It looks very intimidating but Dion breaks it down. Take notes and listen. Dion sent us back to Brad at 1415.

Brad went over more fundamentals of driving with us, as well as Tanker. We took our Tanker test (even those of us with the endorsement had to take it because it's required for C1 graduation). I was called back to Emily's office to have my hair cut for my hair drug test. I do not have a lot of hair on my head so she cut my arm hair and she took quite a bit. Another student had parts of his beard trimmed off.

I returned to the classroom to a lecture on HazMat. Again, even if you have the HazMat endorsement, you still have to take the C1 test to graduate. Brad sent us home with the HazMat test and told us to have it complete by tomorrow's class.

I am off to study, take this test, and then relax and eat. If you guys have any questions, just ask! I know this curriculum is brand new (to the C1 staff). I will do my best to answer questions.

Have a great evening!

You're welcome! We are projected to graduate on the 29th so I am sure we will run into each other at one point or another! Good luck if I don't see you, though. They'll set you up for great success!

Thank you for this! I start my class for Swift at Indianapolis on the 25th. I will be keeping a close eye on your posts!

First day complete, everyone!

Here is what happened in the quick summary format: 1). Class started at 0600. I called the taxi at 0530 and they were here at around 0540, it's about a 15 minute drive. I got there at 0555. 2). We were introduced to Brad (the classroom instructor) and we were given our Pre-Trip Handout and our Binders (with everything we need to know). You're told that if you're a non-permit holder, start studying the General Knowledge, Combination, and Air Brake portion of the Binder. If you're a permit holder, start studying the Pre-Trip handout, especially during the waiting periods today. 3). Swift Students and Independent students (those students with no company or a company not recognized by C1) were separated from the PAM Students. 4). Swift and independent students did their DOT drug screens. They split up your specimen and are checking for THC, COC, PCP, OPI, and AMP. I recommend doing no drugs before coming to the school, just because it's the common sense thing to do. They send your specimens straight to the lab so there is no faking it. I was done at 0755. 5). PAM students did their drug screens, next. Same thing. 6). Both sets of students, without their DOT Physicals, did their physicals. Those who already had a DOT physical did not have to do another, nor did we even see the medical staff. 7). At 1100, we all started our contracts. Each group signs their contracts separately (more on contracts below). They are very protective about who hears each other's contract details so I cannot touch on independent or PAM contracts. 8). We were released for lunch at 1145 and told to be back at 1300. I came back at 1230. 9). More sitting and waiting (studying!) until 1345 when we were ushered back to Brad's room. Brad covered the basics of a school (rules, regs) and the School Director did a presentation as well. The hotel had a staff member do a presentation. 10). We covered general option of the CMV, turns, and how dangerous the brakes are on the CMV (especially when empty). We also briefly touched on what's going to be covered this week. 11). Tomorrow, the non-permit holders are going to BMV to take their tests. During that time, permit holders are going to the range and going to start going over pre-trip with an instructor (this is a new curriculum and we are the guinea pigs). 12). Class starts at 0645 from this point forward, opposed to 0600 for the first day.

Attendance: You cannot miss more than one hour over the training, per Swift. They understand things happen and take things case-by-case, if you're going to miss a day; however, generally, no absences. You can only be tardy twice before they excuse you. Don't be tardy, otherwise Swift may not be too happy.

Contracts: If you complete your training and attend Swift Orientation, you owe Swift $6,000 (plus $750 if you use the hotel). This will result in approximately $114 being deducted, per check (if you use the hotel) for the first 27 weeks. You are "reimbursed" approximately $40, each check, meaning you only pay approximately $74 per check for the first 27 weeks. Once the hotel fees are paid, you only pay approximately $40, each check. At the 53rd week, from my understanding, you pay approximately $1,800 as the final "payment". If you stay longer than one year, you are still "reimbursed" that $40, per check, to pay back the amount they took out of your check, originally, as the Tuition Reimbursement. By the way, the Swift interest rate, during repayment, is 0%.

If you complete the training and do not attend Swift Orientation, you owe C1 $5,995, to be paid within thirty (30) days of the date you finish training. They do not offer any type of payment plan or anything and their interest rate is 8%.

There are other clauses that are within the contract, like cancellation, etc. If you are interested, let me know and I will reply. You get a copy of your contract.

I am off to enjoy my evening and study. I am confident on my pre-trip skills, especially since I've already taken a pre-trip and passed (99%), but you can always learn one new thing and there is still 1% more that I need to get to 100%.

By the way, the hotel has a fitness center. I will be using it to run every evening to stay somewhat conditioned.

Any questions? Feel free to reply, I'll let you know as much as I can.

Have a great evening!

We arrived into Indianapolis last night at about 2245. We had to drive through some really bad storming weather in Ohio and just over the border in Indiana.

We stayed the night at the Red Roof Inn near the Indianapolis International Airport. It was just under $60 for two adults and one infant, one king bed. This is one of the nicer Red Roof Inns I have seen and the staff was super helpful and the room was good quality.

I arrived at noon to the Extended Stay America, today. There were a bunch of Police Officers and over general conversation, with one of the Sergeants, I discovered that a poor woman and her baby had been beaten pretty badly bad her significant other just before I arrived. I went to Walmart with the family to get some things and then tried to get into my room to find out my room was locked and I couldn't get in.

I was reassigned to a new room and got in just fine. Got all unpacked and about an hour later I called to get the WiFi code to be told that I was in a Werner room and was going to have to move to a Swift room. The woman I spoke with came up about five minutes later and told me she was making this room a Swift room and that I would be getting a roommate either today or tomorrow, which I am fine with and was expecting from the get-go. I got the WiFi code after waiting about another hour.

The rooms are nice. We have small kitchenette with two burners, a dishwasher, a nice refrigerator, a microwave, and some storage. We have a nice little living room with a nice TV (the remote doesn't work). There are two full beds that are really comfortable (well one is, I dunno about the other one). The bathroom is really nice, only the toilet uses maybe half a gallon when you flush... hopefully the Chinese food you eat doesn't strike you too badly.

I am getting ready to do some more research on this school and how to taxi works, in the morning. I may even call the taxi company and get the low-down on how things work.

I will update y'all tomorrow as to my progress.

Good Morning y'all,

Today's the big day but we made a change. The bus ride from Charlottesville to Indianapolis was expecting to be around 22 hours with two stops but I do not know where and for how long.

We decided to go ahead and drive me up to Indianapolis because it is only an 8.5 hour drive, opposed to the 22 hours, and just to stay the night up there, tonight, and then check in to the hotel that Swift has allotted me. We've checked the weather and looks like rain and, so long as my wife and son jet out of Indianapolis quickly tomorrow, they should be in the clear and miss the snow (if any).

I will let you know what tomorrow is like, once we get there.

Hi Trucking Truth!

My name is Alex and I am going to be attending Swift's CDL Sponsored Training at C1 in Indianapolis, IN starting on March 11th, 2019. I will be traveling from my temporary home in Virginia to attend this school so I leave this Saturday, the 9th. I am super excited but, just like others, dreading the bus ride.

I will be leaving out of Charlottesville, VA at 1330 and I will be on a bus for 22 1/2 hours, arriving in Indianapolis at around 1130 (before the time change, 12:30 after daylight savings). My school starts Monday at 0600.

I have family who have been in trucking for a long time and after spending some time doing research on the various carriers, training schools, and how to obtain my CDL, I decided to go ahead and pursue trucking. I reached out to a lot of the main carriers and spoke to a lot of different recruiters before settling on this opportunity.

In November, 2018 I was attending a Community College's CDL program when, on day three, I hit a deer with my car going about 70mph. I was not injured and my car only sustained body damage. I had to drop out of the classes and decided to hold off on my CDL until my family and I got some things squared away from that accident.

The time has come for me to go back to my pursuit. I have been working with Megan Aubrey, at Swift, to get on with them. She has been super helpful and very forthcoming with information. I will be joining Swift on the Kraft contract (hauling refrigerated) starting on the East Coast and then I will transfer to the West Coast (where my permanent home is) sometime in May or June hopefully landing a new similar line of business.

I am starting this training diary to give incoming students an idea of what to expect. There are plenty of diaries and YouTube videos out there but we all know how things roll, changes are constantly about and updated information is never bad.

I plan on updating this thing at least every other day while I am at school and then as often as possible while I am doing my driver-mentor training.

I am always open to feedback and support. I have added my Facebook profile to the forum so please feel free to stalk my Facebook page and add me, if you wish.

Have a great night and stay safe everybody.