Question:
Back home
After 20 days in Millington,Tn. I attended the Swift driving academy. Formerly the M.S. Carriers professional drivers academy. Millington is located along highway 51 about 25 miles north of Memphis,TN.
The accomidations weren't too bad. The classes stay at a place called the Admirality Inn which is located right on highway 51. The academy itself is located about 5 miles away at an old Navy airstrip. The classroom facilities are clean and big. The range area where we practiced backing manuevers is huge. Our class had 10 stations each with a tractor and trailer to practice the state mandated manuevers for the skills test.
Week one is all classroom and drug testing and DOT physical. This is the worst week out of the three. Just like trucking...its alot of hurry up and wait. Actual classroom instruction is minimal.
I guess the way they see it is that we are all adults and responsible enough to read the CDL manual ourselves and study on our own. Some people had major problems with this. And some would get into groups and study together, as well as quiz each other.
Week two is range orientation and learning pre-trip inspection, and testing. As well as practicing 3 simple manuavers for the state skills test. Which are...California straight line backing, 45 degree angle back, and sight side paralell parking. You practice all maunuevers in groups of 3 or 4 depending on your class size. Classes are also split up after everyone gets their Tennesee CDL permit into either day or night shift class. Students have no choice in which shift they will attend.
Week 3 is road training. Begin with a shifting class. then some road time at a shifting pad they use in Arkansas. They use this day to evaluate your double clutching ablity, and as well as downshifting ability. The group I was in was just myself and another student. We were in a small class so we got more drive time. We picked up shifting with no real problems so then we began practicing turns on the first day also.
The road training was my favorite part of the academy. My road instructor was excellent and was very layed back and liked to kid around and have fun, but was also and excellent instructor. By thursday he had me in downtown Memphis practicing tight tight turns. Funny thing was is that I was not nervous at all. I had a great level of confidence and he told me after we swamped out drivers that I drove excellent. In fact he was so comfortable with my driving that we had the stereo cranked up. As fun as this was it was also alot of down to business too. The instuctor really knew what he was doing a great job.
By thursady one the road he said I was ready to test out, but they will not test early so i had to wait until this past tuesday morning. So we had a few days of driving just for fun. And I got to practice my turning some more.
All in all I had a great experience. I met some great people who I will remain in contact with.
My advice if interested in attending this school is to make sure you have enough money for the entire 3 weeks. You will need 150 in cash or money order the first day for the academy. Now they provide a Kroger grocery store gift card for everyone with a 25 dollar a week limit on it which recharges every Friday while in the school.
Do not get with your buddies right away and buy grceries together on the card or with your own money. They move people around from room to room after the first few days. This is how they keep day and night shift people together.
If you drive your own vehicle to the school from your home...save your fuel receipts....you will get reimbursed but not until after you go out with a trainer and get your first paycheck. Bring extra cash with you for whatever else you might need. I brought an extra 150 with me and it worked out well. I had plenty of money if i wanted to eat out occasionally, or by extra groceries, and I had to have my smokes.
There is a Ryans steak house right next to the motel. Costs 10 bucks complete for all you can eat, and that includes top sirloin right off the grill. Ther is also a smoke shop not too far from the motel with cheap cigs and a great selection of cigars. Walmart is withing walking distance also.
The worst part of the entire ordeal was the bus ride to and from. I wish greyhound on noone. The drivers are very rude and they just appear to not care about much.
All in all I would recomend this academy to anyone interested in Swift. the academy has all of the old M.S. Carrier instructors and they are really good at what they do.
This is just a brief summary of my experice. If anyone has any more questions I will be happy to answer them............
[This message was edited by mrmajestic5 on June 13, 2003 at 13:24.]

Answer:
how long are you going to be at home

Answer:
Im home until next monday...then i go to orientation.

Answer:
Originally posted by mrmajestic5:
Im home until next monday...then i go to orientation.
I'm new to this list and I am in the middle of my driving school and doing great. My buddy and I were the first in class to get our CDL and we were thrilled. The rest of the course will be driving in the real world all over the state of Florida. I've been pre-hire by Swift and was wondering if you can report to us your experience in the orientation so that we can get an idea what to expect. Any info will be appreciated.

Answer:
driving all over the state of Florida, Nick, beware of those McFatter trucks!
How many times have you pulled your license out of you wallet, looked at it, and smiled??
I'm thinking we try to get the Peterbilt on Monday!

Answer:
I will be more than happy to pass along any info I can give about orientation.

Answer:
Originally posted by mrmajestic5:
Now they provide a Kroger grocery store gift card for everyone with a 25 dollar a week limit on it which recharges every Friday while in the school.
So you get $3.57 per day to live on while you're at school?
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Answer:
Yes thats right....$3.57 a day for food.
Thank god i brought extra cash. There were guys who came with no money at all, and were told from the wonderful recruiters that everything was paid for by Swift. For the guys and gals who had little or no money most of us would try and help out as best we could. Had a guy knock on my door one night asking me for 4 pieces of bread so he could make a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. Most ppl I noticed do not do any checking into what they are getting into with the school, or they believe everything the recruiter tells them.
Im glad I asked alot of questions before I went to the school.

Answer:
"Yes thats right....$3.57 a day for food. "
Sounds like a good reason to attend a school close to home and make sure you have your finances in order.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Originally posted by Cessna_172_pilot:
driving all over the state of Florida, Nick, beware of those McFatter trucks!
How many times have you pulled your license out of you wallet, looked at it, and smiled??
I'm thinking we try to get the Peterbilt on Monday!
I think we should get the Peterbilt and check it out!!!!

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I've been smiling all weekend 'cause of the license. I feel like I am 16 years old and for the first time I have a license !!!!

Answer:
I'm so Happy For You that I'm Smilin' right along with you.
Keep up the good work & Please keep us posted.
BE SAFE & HAPPY TRUCKING
SMYLE!


Answer:
Actually, $3.57 is a LOT More than what most schools give you.
Most schools give you NOTHING...You are Responsible for Your OWN Food.
So, the way I see it...
They should be Thankful for that little $3.57 b/c the school does NOT Have to give them Anything for food.
In other words...A little Something is better than a Lot of Nothing.

Answer:
They don't actually give you anything. The 25 a week is incorporated into the 3 thousand dollar loan that we signed the contract for. So no free lunch from Swifty............... I planned ahead though and had extra cash.