The Long Way

Well, this morning went surprisingly smooth at the MVD. Since a few of us were able to drive ourselves there we beat the bus and the hordes of people. After checking all our paperwork the licensing people took us into a testing room and gave us four hours for all three tests. So I went to work and after about twenty minutes I was through with all the tests. So now I knew something had to have been missed…but no, they called my name a few minutes later and took my picture. They give you your test results in a sealed envelope so I don't know what my scores were just that I had passed all three tests. I guess only the driving school gets to open that envelope!

Yesterday was a pretty easy classroom day. We started with defensive driving, then map reading and trip planning and we finished with HazMat. Most people cringe when you mention hazmat but you would be surprised some of the things that are delivered as hazmat! Like; paint, batteries, household bleach…etc. Of course there are real hazardous material loads but you have to have years of experience before they let you anywhere near the fun stuff.

I will start on the range tomorrow morning at 5am. That means no more classroom stuff, finally we get to drive the trucks! I have meet a guy in my class that actually drives further than I do so we are going to start car-pooling. I am supposed to meet him @ 4:15 Tuesday morning just off the 60. We are going to switch-off driving a few days at a time so that should be a designated nap time as it should take us about 40 minutes to make it from East Mesa to the range which is in South Phoenix.

OK, Since I got finished so quickly at the DMV I need to go enjoy some quality daytime TV. For my money nothing says high value sunlight sleeping like Judge Judy!!

Category: General

So to be a driver you have to have a CDL...sure everybody knows that. But, who knew there was so much material on these tests.

We will take three tests on Monday; General, Combination and Air Brakes. All we did today was take practice exams for all three and I did really well so I am going to take a night off from studying.

Next week we will be heading to the range where we will start driving! There is a day shift from 5am to 3pm or nights from 3pm to 1am and I have put in for days because getting off at 3 and having the rest of the day off is more appealing. After a week on the range I will have a chance to start driving with another driver making runs locally(well, in the state anyway).

Well, so far I am very happy with Swift and the way we have been treated. I am very much looking forward to being turned loose...

Thanks all, hope to see you soon.

Category: General

Hello All, I'm in my first week of training as a OTR driver for Swift in Phoenix, AZ. I started in a class of 30 potential drivers and less than a week later we are at 21 souls. We lost a few guys the first day because of health&fitness reasons and now it seems that the back ground checks are weeding the rest out. So far we have been confined to the classroom studying for our CDL permits which we will test for on Monday the 31st, Halloween I think.

I made to decision to go with Swift even though I have heard/read most of the jokes on the internet about Swift drivers. Everybody has to start somewhere!

Well, I hope some familiar eyes have made it to this page! So check back as I will continue to update my training progress as well as my travels as I hit the road!

Hopps


****This blog is primarily for my family and friends but anyone who stumbles in is welcome to read and post.****

Category: General