Swift Academy, Memphis, TN

Is it true there is a straight backing "test" super early on that you can get sent home from?

Is it true there is a straight backing "test" super early on that you can get sent home from?

Mikki, Nothing like that "fail the test & go home" with Swift. There are: 1) Pre-trip test, 2) written test on logs & maps and 3) five skill tests:

• Straight Backing
• Left & Right offset (as one test)
• Left/Driver side/Sight parallel parking
• Right/Passenger side/Blind side parallel parking
• 90 degree Alley Dock

If you are from state that does not use these, or uses other skills, you get training & evaluation on them as needed.

Then there are two rounds of testing if needed: What you do not pass on the first go-round, you can re-test after some practice.

If you do not pass yet, you are placed on Academic Probation, which means you stay an extra week, with different instructors, and practice all the tests as needed, and are given a second set of two rounds. (That's how I tested out of the program.) There is no extra money paid for this extra week & lodging.

Finally, if you fail the second batch in Academic Probation, you can pony up $750 to (I think) take the whole course again. Here's the real kicker - that $750 simply pays down your $4,400 tuition you committed to when you signed up!.

Swift Academy is not out to "get" you or rip off potential drivers. They seem to do all they can to get you your CDL. The rest is up to you.

I just finished up day 2 at Millington. Finally got the admin stuff done, did class time on logs, and hit the backing range tomorrow AM to start backing and pre-trip. I'll try and post regularly in my thread "Trucktographers dad"

I just finished up day 2 at Millington. Finally got the admin stuff done, did class time on logs, and hit the backing range tomorrow AM to start backing and pre-trip. I'll try and post regularly in my thread "Trucktographers dad"

Did you enjoy your bus ride?

I believe I'll go with swift as they can give u a second chance after paying a fee. Haven't heard anything like that from prime. Unless I'm wrong.. so what week do u actually start getting paid? During training?

I believe I'll go with swift as they can give u a second chance after paying a fee. Haven't heard anything like that from prime. Unless I'm wrong.. so what week do u actually start getting paid? During training?

Forgot to mention... will anxiety or mood medication get me.from getting into swift before.I talk to a recruiter? They are VA prescribed. Or should I just not mentioned anything on my meds? Thanks.

I believe I'll go with swift as they can give u a second chance after paying a ... so what week do u actually start getting paid? During trainstation ng?

Forgot to mention...medication.

Dan, the second chance is "no charge". The THIRD shot is where you come up with the bucks. And remember, even that just pays down your tuition. So the real bottom line is three chances.

This is Friday, I went to the DMV for my driving test. I passed!

Yes, the Swift Training is tougher than the DMV's test but that's a good thing. The test that really counts (your actual CDL drive test) then is easier. You'll have enough stress driving with the examiner. Relax.

Here ends my "Diary Blog" for Swift Training Academy in Millington, TN. (Near Memphis). Today I got my Conditional Offer letter & "orders" to report to the terminal in Memphis for Orientation. The hotel the terminal uses is a Clarion (as I write this), of course much better than the place in Millington.

They will be moving the school soon to be next door to the main terminal. The other day I saw that property, the concrete and asphalt pads (buildings & range, respectively) are in, the buildings should go up soon.

My overall opinion of this school: Remember, I can't compare to any other truck driving school - I'm only doing this once, ya hear? But ... it might be hard work, but, I feel the instructor staff is very dedicated to getting you an opportunity to learn & hone your skills. Ask questions, apply as you can the pointers they give you. Remember your chosen destination: a CDL-A and the confidence to hit the road to any state in the union.

The time & schedule make you put in lots of practice time, mostly on the range. There is a good possibility you will be stressed to get those backing skills done. No road driving happens until you pass the skills & written tests. You will be standing outside, near a truck most of the time, so dress to be outside according to the season. If you are more or less forced to eat ramen noodles every day (finances), you will have ramen noodles for about one month. Plan accordingly.

After skills, road training lasts one week, usually. You should have enough driver seat time to get the driving skills "up to speed". The in-your-state DMV test should be easier than the Swift evaluation, but you knew that. You should have fewer skills to test, the cone area will be larger, and the DMV examiner should be, well, a bit easier on you.

If you've never driven any manual shift transmission, PLEASE RELAX, KEEP YOUR PATIENCE and TRY TO BUILD A TIMING into your shifting. Try to get it to where you don't really think what you're doing - it will slow you down too much.

"Shift to 5th - hold shifter, lift selector, off the accelerator/push clutch, push stick to neutral, release clutch, position lever in front of 5th gear, push clutch, push into 5th gear, release clutch, back on accelerator.""

-- your speed will drop back 10-15 mph and you lose. You need to go more like this:

"Accelerator/clutch - shift back/far clutch to front/close - in gear - clutch/accelerator"

-- total time, three seconds on the outside.

... and keep on movin' down the road.

Is it true there is a straight backing "test" super early on that you can get sent home from?

Mikki, Nothing like that "fail the test & go home" with Swift. There are: 1) Pre-trip test, 2) written test on logs & maps and 3) five skill tests:

• Straight Backing
• Left & Right offset (as one test)
• Left/Driver side/Sight parallel parking
• Right/Passenger side/Blind side parallel parking
• 90 degree Alley Dock

If you are from state that does not use these, or uses other skills, you get training & evaluation on them as needed.

Then there are two rounds of testing if needed: What you do not pass on the first go-round, you can re-test after some practice.

If you do not pass yet, you are placed on Academic Probation, which means you stay an extra week, with different instructors, and practice all the tests as needed, and are given a second set of two rounds. (That's how I tested out of the program.) There is no extra money paid for this extra week & lodging.

Finally, if you fail the second batch in Academic Probation, you can pony up $750 to (I think) take the whole course again. Here's the real kicker - that $750 simply pays down your $4,400 tuition you committed to when you signed up!.

Swift Academy is not out to "get" you or rip off potential drivers. They seem to do all they can to get you your CDL. The rest is up to you.

Thank you for your reply. I see you are on to orientation! Good Luck. Not sure which school (Swift) but someone posted there has been a fairly long waiting period for a mentor 2-3 weeks? Heard anything?