For Errol V.

Hello Everyone

I know it has been a while since I asked a question on Trucking Truth. I have been lurking on this forum just absorbing all the informative advice from everyone. I love you guys for all the useful information. A while back I was scheduled to attend Swift's academy in Millington, TN but I fell on some hard times. I lost my job and later on I was evicted from my apartment because of this. I should have attended school when I had the money but I had to pay a couple of things off and did not anticipate that I would lose my job. As of right now I do not have a place to live but I'm making it one day at a time. I am praying for miracle as of now. Errol V. I have been reading your training dairies and I took noticed that you attend the academy in Millington, TN. I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about the academy. First question is do I need any up front money while attending the academy? I asked my recruiter and she said no, but we both know they will sometimes lie to you. I wanted to know before attending because I am limited of funds at the moment.

Second question is about my DOT physical. I took my DOT physical back in October of 2014 and I received a two year med card. On Swift's website I notice that the DOT physical cannot be older than 60 days prior to attending the academy. I wanted to know will this be a problem for me? I am schedule to attend the academy the 27th of April. I am literally like 20 minutes away from the academy, but I plan on taking the housing agreement because I do not have a place to live at the moment. Any advice that I receive is greatly appreciated.

20 minutes away! Twenty minutes? Where's that? Just askin'. I had to drive 35 minutes each way from Olive Branch.

I'm not the expert on what & when of physicals. But, I do believe you need a new physical if you work for a new company. I think Swift will do one at their Wellness Center for $40. For me a local clinic did it for $50. Many places around Memphis advertise $89 on up. I think a few dead - broke people in my class actually got it added to their tuition bill. (Your recruiter probably doesn't know these details.)

That and the CDL permit fees should be it.

If you don't have a CDL permit on Monday, I think that's $100 up front for the CDL class. But you did all the studying in the High Road Training Program, didn't you.

There's a Kroger and a Big Lots within walking distance of the "beautiful, downtown" Admiralty Inn. (Irony intended)

Lastly, hold on to a gas receipt. Tony may get it paid, but that will only come on your first paycheck, in about two months.

Good luck in Millington! Say "Hi!" to Tony, Doug and Brian and the rest of the instructor gang.

Thanks for responding Errol.

I live in Cordova, TN with a friend and its only like 25 minutes away from Millington. I just wasn't sure about the physical. I know it is more than 60 days old. I will have my permit before I attend the academy. I just wanted to know if there were any other fees that needed to be paid ahead of time. What was your experience like? Was it hard or somewhat easy to pass the academy?

I wrote diaries from the first day of the Academy through my first week as a solo Swift driver. (BTW, things have calmed down now, I'm getting dispatches one after the other, like it should be.)

Use the search box above and search on "Errol V." or "Swift Academy "

To answer your question about money, if you have your CDL-A permit and medical forms in hand, you should be good to go, and you can get that free lunch.

Many students show up close to broke. Over the four weeks of the course, many learn the finer points of Top Ramen cuisine.

Hey Brett, is there a way to search & return topics opened by a member, or at least the ones they posted to?