Before the schooling began...
I already had my Class A CDL but, before training with Swift, had never driven a semi-truck/tractor. My previous civilian job required there employees to have a Class A CDL, so I took my driving/skills test in a digger/derrick with a 30-45 (adjustable) pole-trailer. Piece of cake! Even had an automatic transmission!
When I contacted the Swift recruiter a few weeks ago, I made her aware of my situation, so I was offered the chance to go out with a trainer and begin working. I counter-offered with, "I've never driven an 18-wheeler," and then was asked if I'd rather go through the three weeks of schooling. I accepted.
Location! Location! Location! The recruiter sent me an email with an attachment that contained all of the possible training locations. The recruiter told me directly (over the phone) that I would be attending the training in Memphis, TN. then another email came along with another attachment, only this time there was one location: C1 Driver Training, Little Rock, AR.
The emails, what were their purpose? The first one, I've got absolutely no idea why it was even sent. There was no text typed by the recruiter, just the attachment. The confusion set in with the second email.
I was told to go to Memphis the following Monday, this instruction came straight from the mouth of the recruiter. Then this email appears. The recruiter is not answering the phone or returning my calls (probably because it's 8pm on a Saturday), and I'm hoping to get everything straightened out as soon as possible.
Luckily, the attachment had the head-honcho's personal cellphone number included within. So I send a text message. I get a quick response. Now I know where I'm headed Monday: C1 Driver Training, Little Rock, AR.
School begins...
The first week involved two wiz quizzes: one for Swift, one for the DOT. The first week also allowed all of the in-state students to take their written tests at the DMV to obtain their permits. This first week was mostly multiple-choice tests, learning how to fill out a logbook , and getting to know the other students. This is the same week we signed our Swift contracts.
If you already have a Class A CDL, you will do everything the rest of the class does, except go to the DMV. The school administers pre-trip and driving/skills tests that you must pass. These tests are only for use by the school to prove to your company that you are able to do the things you've been taught. For the permit-holders, these tests allow for the students to judge whether or not they are prepared for the real thing at the DMV.
The fun begins...
The second week is where the fun begins. You will learn how to pre-trip your truck and trailer, how to test your air brakes, how to drive a ten-speed out on the road (double-clutch), and straight-line, off-set, and alley dock backing maneuvers with a 53' trailer.
Remember, this is a three-week school, and there were a handful of students there who couldn't pass their driving/skills test at the DMV because some of them struggled with straight-line backing, which is the easiest backing maneuver you learn. Others struggled with the pre-trip, even though you are given a list of 89 parts, along with what problems you're looking for as you inspect each of those parts. Again, this part of the test is only hard if you don't take the time to learn what you should be learning.
If you are given all of the tools you need to succeed during the day, and decide to go home, or back to the motel, and lounge around all night until the next day, then you've failed yourself. Study that pre-trip!
Week 3 begins on Monday, April 18...
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Operating While Intoxicated
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Before the schooling began...
I already had my Class A CDL but, before training with Swift, had never driven a semi-truck/tractor. My previous civilian job required there employees to have a Class A CDL, so I took my driving/skills test in a digger/derrick with a 30-45 (adjustable) pole-trailer. Piece of cake! Even had an automatic transmission!
When I contacted the Swift recruiter a few weeks ago, I made her aware of my situation, so I was offered the chance to go out with a trainer and begin working. I counter-offered with, "I've never driven an 18-wheeler," and then was asked if I'd rather go through the three weeks of schooling. I accepted.
Location! Location! Location!
The recruiter sent me an email with an attachment that contained all of the possible training locations. The recruiter told me directly (over the phone) that I would be attending the training in Memphis, TN. then another email came along with another attachment, only this time there was one location: C1 Driver Training, Little Rock, AR.
The emails, what were their purpose? The first one, I've got absolutely no idea why it was even sent. There was no text typed by the recruiter, just the attachment. The confusion set in with the second email.
I was told to go to Memphis the following Monday, this instruction came straight from the mouth of the recruiter. Then this email appears. The recruiter is not answering the phone or returning my calls (probably because it's 8pm on a Saturday), and I'm hoping to get everything straightened out as soon as possible.
Luckily, the attachment had the head-honcho's personal cellphone number included within. So I send a text message. I get a quick response. Now I know where I'm headed Monday: C1 Driver Training, Little Rock, AR.
School begins...
The first week involved two wiz quizzes: one for Swift, one for the DOT. The first week also allowed all of the in-state students to take their written tests at the DMV to obtain their permits. This first week was mostly multiple-choice tests, learning how to fill out a logbook , and getting to know the other students. This is the same week we signed our Swift contracts.
If you already have a Class A CDL, you will do everything the rest of the class does, except go to the DMV. The school administers pre-trip and driving/skills tests that you must pass. These tests are only for use by the school to prove to your company that you are able to do the things you've been taught. For the permit-holders, these tests allow for the students to judge whether or not they are prepared for the real thing at the DMV.
The fun begins...
The second week is where the fun begins. You will learn how to pre-trip your truck and trailer, how to test your air brakes, how to drive a ten-speed out on the road (double-clutch), and straight-line, off-set, and alley dock backing maneuvers with a 53' trailer.
Remember, this is a three-week school, and there were a handful of students there who couldn't pass their driving/skills test at the DMV because some of them struggled with straight-line backing, which is the easiest backing maneuver you learn. Others struggled with the pre-trip, even though you are given a list of 89 parts, along with what problems you're looking for as you inspect each of those parts. Again, this part of the test is only hard if you don't take the time to learn what you should be learning.
If you are given all of the tools you need to succeed during the day, and decide to go home, or back to the motel, and lounge around all night until the next day, then you've failed yourself. Study that pre-trip!
Week 3 begins on Monday, April 18...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated