Profile For John D.

Don't give up it took me 3 weeks to get with my mentor through Swift, I've been out here for a week and a half put in about 58 hours and we'll over 3000 miles. Went to Michigan to Oregon to Montana then we're off to Texas. My understanding is swift is under staffed with mentors, nonsmokers even more(that's what I had to wait for)

A lot of companies let you request smoker or non. Does Swift not let you choose or did you roll the dice and say you wanted first available?

I requested a nonsmoker.

John, I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm very anti-smoking. My father smoked and died from it at a relatively young age. He left me with tremendous financial burdens. I'm going to say you should refuse to go out with a trainer who smokes in the cab. It's your life. I just recently had a good friend who died of lung cancer. Most companies pair up non-smokers with a non-smoking trainer. Please don't accept a smoker as a trainer,

John, I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm very anti-smoking. My father smoked and died from it at a relatively young age. He left me with tremendous financial burdens. I'm going to say you should refuse to go out with a trainer who smokes in the cab. It's your life. I just recently had a good friend who died of lung cancer. Most companies pair up non-smokers with a non-smoking trainer. Please don't accept a smoker as a trainer,

I agree for one don't want the temptation, and 2 I really don't like the smell anymore. Just wasn't sure if I was being difficult.

Hi all got my CDL on July 3 from Swift driving school, ben waiting for a trainer since then. I was told I would leave this last Monday then told my trainer is a smoker(I quit smoking 2 years ago) I really don't want to be stuck in a small box with a smoker. Is this wrong? Should I suck it up and go with a smoker, what's your thoughts.

Sorry I haven't been on for awhile,been in the swift school in Richmond VA. Time for an update for everyone yesterday was the start of my fourth week and today was my DMV driving test. After 3 long weeks and a lot of studying I passed all my test, so as of right now I'm a CDL holder. I would like thank trucking truth for all information they provided to help me get to this point .

I assume you are staying in a motel during training? If so, you don't need much. Bring some laundry detergent for the washing machine (hopefully there will be one), but if you have to go to a Laundromat, bring your own detergent. When you can wash your clothes during training, you can bring fewer clothes. Most companies will require oil resistant, steel toed work boots. They will probably give you a safety vest. Bring a good coffee thermos, or something similar, so you can stay awake during class. (Trust me, all the training courses teach really critical stuff, but it can get pretty boring. Falling asleep in class will not endear you to your instructor)

And bring your favorite stuffed animal. You will need comfort at nighty night time.

Didn't think about my thermos will have to grab that. I'll see if my granddaughter will let have one of her stuffed animals.🤔

Boots

Heavy jacket or a light coat

Shower shoes or sandals

Cell phone charger

Two towels

Pillow and a lightweight sleeping bag

You should have a calculator function on your phone, so I wouldn’t bring another one.

Duffel bags to put your stuff in. Easier to stow on the trainers truck.

Got all that as well just forgot to say so.

Probably be easier if you told us what you plan on packing, then we go from there.

Clothes for about 10 days. 2 notebooks pens, pencils, caculater, road atlas, gloves, 2pairs of glasses and my nerd clip on sunshades (yes I'm that cool they clip on my glasses)😎. Plus my paperwork, idont have room for an ego in my bag or backpack.👍

Heading out to school this weekend, any last minute advice on what to take and not take.

Just to prove to myself im not all the way crazy YET. Under "failed swift map and trip plan test. Retake tomorrow by Bryan Q. It has something about how much fuel. Thanks for keeping it lite and fun.👍😃

This is why I like this site, everyone seems to not take everything so serious and have a good time. The only reason I asked about MPG is I thought I read something about that on here as a trip planning test swift gave you at school. If not I won't worry about it.

I'm to old for all that ego stuff. What kind of mpg do you all get? One more thing I would like to start working on.

Would like to get a start on trip planning and log books before I show up is there any good places to look for reliable information that would help? The class clown can stay far away from me at 49 years old I don't have time for that. Haha

Hello folks my name is John and I've been lurking around this great sight for awhile. Just got my cdlp and 1 year DOT (blood pressure is a hair high) getting ready to go to Swift in Richmond, has anyone been through that school lately. Would like to know what I'm getting into. On a side note your site was a great help in getting my permit.