Last day to pick

you could do what a lot of newbies seem to be doing these days.
graduating with a cdl. and sitting home looking for that ultimate high paying home job.

guess it's easier to broke and jobless for 6 + months then doing your dues like the rest of us did.

 

Last year, they had a second option for Academy. If you pay cash up front, you get the whole $3900 back in a lump sum after six months as a Swift company driver. That may be the way to go if you think you may jump to another company once you get some experience.

As for the drive "test" after being with your mentor...

It's not so much a test as it is a "check ride" to see if you can control the vehicle well enough to solo. If you screw it up, you simply go back out with your mentor for another week.

I don't know of anyone who had to go back out with their mentor. Your mentor should be sure that you are ready before you go back in for your upgrade.

 

I live here in SoCal also. Went thru this with my son last year. He went with CRST, I believe SWIFT sends you to Phoenix for training. He started end of Nov, contract has been completed. His trainer was very good, equipment is admittedly an ugly color but seems to keep running.

You select your team partner, he has had a couple they were ok, just have to work it out. His Co driver now lives near us so home time works well now.

My wife takes care of his bills, he now averages about 900.00 per week.

Unless your a crybaby CRST will run you good, miles wise. If you cry you sit. In 3 weeks you will have your license and be with a trainer, making some money anyways.

Good luck with your choices.

 

Swift's school is real good. Depends on your financial situation what's best for you. Schneider and JBS Carriers front the money for private CDL school. Schneider you don't have to pay back if you stay a year. Not sure what JBS Carriers policy is, but they send you to Roadmasters. Knight is another option.
Swift program is as good as any though.

 

I did the "get my license on my own" and no carrier that is worth anything would even look at me until I had either, A. OTR experience or, B. Graduate from a selected school, well since no one would look at me until I had experience, I had to go to school (out of my own pocket), then hired on with Crete. There are companies out there that will hire you, but I couldn't or didn't know how to find them. hind sight being 20/20, I would have gone with Schneider, or Swift to get my license. Just my 2 pennies.

 

Swift has recently given is pretty good pay raises. I make 35 cpm now. Im on the 6 month bracket. I'm running over 3000 miles a week. Last week came out to 3698 miles. I grossed about 1300 and brought home about 850. This week ill have a little bit more than 3300 miles, but I should be able to get another load in before thursday, so it will be more. I havent ran less than 3000 miles in about 2 months.

Showering is difficult though. They usually have me run 1000 miles and then fillup so I shower every other day. I always put on a fresh clean shirt every morning though.

You can definently make decent money your first year with swift.

P.s. I should add that your first few loads you may feel like a local driver. From what I'm told they do this because a lot of new drivers quit there first few days.

 

There's a whole thread about cooking in the truck that is full of great information on how to eat healthy food inexpensively on the road. It's one of the more popular threads on this forum and I recommend you take time to read through it.

Bottom line regarding eating well on the road is that when you go solo you should invest in a good 12v cooler or refrigerator. A cooler will keep food 40ºF below ambient air temperature. I use a small 12v cooler and stop at a grocery store to restock with fresh produce, juice, yogurt, etc. about every 4-5 days. I lost 30 lbs in my first year back on the road by eating fresh food and transitioned away from eating fast food or processed food. Even upgrading my purchases to organic fresh herbs and other expensive produce I keep my total food budget below $100 per week. Now I'll eat a restaurant meal on average about once a week or every other week.

For cooking right now I rely on microwaves that are available at all truck stops and terminals to do my whole grain cereals. I do have a hot water heater for making coffee when I'm taking a 10 in a remote location or at a customer.

Last year, before the recent company wide raise, my take home averaged about $450-500 once I went solo and about $350-450 during training. With the new raises, and after a few months into solo, you will find your pay will go up fairly well from there. Look for opportunities to get on a dedicated account after you go solo. Let your DM know you are interested in any dedicated opportunities and they'll let you know by Qualcomm whenever something comes up.