Academy vs Orientation?

Discussion in 'Swift' started by CuriousG, Sep 29, 2014.

  1. CuriousG

    CuriousG Bobtail Member

    34
    5
    Sep 23, 2014
    0
    Hey All,

    First off thanks to everyone who responded to my last question about the mentor shortage concern, sounds like it will be a crap shoot, I can live with that. I have a few more questions rolling around in my head and I have started to see that the recruiter I have been speaking with is lousy at best. Ive tried to chat with the guy on the phone and getting a word in on my end is close to impossible, I decided to communicate via email and his replies are haphazard at best, no solid information, contradictions etc... Hey he is a Recruiter and I am not afraid to ask direct and hard questions. Regardless getting my information from the people actually doing the job seems like the very best choice anyway. So thanks again to everyone here for your experience, knowledge, humor and honesty.

    Now onto the questions:

    1. What is the difference between the Swift Academy and Orientation?
    a. Do you get paid for one or both or some other variation?
    b. If they are not the same thing how long between the two?
    c. From the arrival day how long is the Academy / Orientation (not concerned with being out with a mentor. In my book thats a different beast)?
    d. I read about a "seating fee" at the Academy / Orientation. Is this applied to the overall cost of training?

    2. I will most likely attend the class in Lewiston Idaho and head there from the Oregon coast. Is transportation to the Academy / Orientation paid in full or in part if I take a bus?
    3. Did training pay increase with the recent cpm increase or is it still worse than a burger flipper?
    4. What is the rule about taking the truck for hometime?
    a. Can I only do this if I live "X" number of miles from a terminal?

    I have another post I will be putting up after these questions about accountability that I am certain the kids here will love. :biggrin_25519:

    Cheers,
    Gary
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2014
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. inkeper

    inkeper Road Train Member

    1,440
    1,059
    Jan 30, 2011
    Texas
    0
    The academy is where you learn the bare basics to get your CDL. It is generally a 3 week course then you get the CDL and go to orientation. Orientation normally begins on a Monday and lasts 3 to 4 days. You are not an employee of Swift until you get your driver code at orientation. If you are lucky, you will get your mentor as orientation ends. As far as I know, you don't get paid until you are on the truck with the mentor. It used to be minimum wage for your state when you are on duty not driving. When you are driving you get minimum wage plus a dollar. May have changed, I don't know. Swift will pay for your bus ticket to get to school. It's been years since I went to the school so I am not up on what the fees are now. Several of the others on here went through one of the schools, so they can better answer that. I do know that Doc Watson went through Lewiston, so he could answer specific questions when he gets a chance after riding his scooter around Mexico and points south. Good luck.
     
  4. CuriousG

    CuriousG Bobtail Member

    34
    5
    Sep 23, 2014
    0
    Thanks Inkeper! Yea I have seen some of Doc Watson's posts and it would be nice if my post catches his eye.
     
  5. Truckin2Eat

    Truckin2Eat Medium Load Member

    305
    86
    Jul 2, 2013
    GA
    0
  6. KoolKid

    KoolKid Light Load Member

    272
    103
    Jun 15, 2008
    Arkansas
    0
    Yeah, swift is not very good but better than England!!... Lol if I were you to save headaches, look at some companies that train. Here are 3 other companies that more often than not get complaints.

    Companies to avoid. 1st one for sure avoid.. Lol
    CR England (worst of the worst)
    CRST (not great, but they train. Bring a teammate)
    Central Refrigerated (was once good, swift completely owns them now.)

    Just jump on Google and search truck driver jobs training. You will find some good stuff. And do your research on any company you are thinking of hiring onto.

    Good luck!
     
  7. CuriousG

    CuriousG Bobtail Member

    34
    5
    Sep 23, 2014
    0
    Id rather not let this thread turn into a why Swift or why another company. Lets just say that right now I understand that all the training carriers are going to suck in one way or another. The key will be patients getting over that first year hump and finding one who's shenanigans I can handle. I am certain I will move on after a year and living where I live move to running lumber, fuel or a refer full of delicious crab or clams. :D

    Cheers,
    Gary
     
    inkeper Thanks this.
  8. KoolKid

    KoolKid Light Load Member

    272
    103
    Jun 15, 2008
    Arkansas
    0
    Advice on this thread can help a lot. I have seen here and in person many other drivers say the same thing. Swift may not be as bad and possible to do your year and more, but some barely can make it 6 months at some other carriers. Either way, just do your research and be ready.
     
  9. Truckin2Eat

    Truckin2Eat Medium Load Member

    305
    86
    Jul 2, 2013
    GA
    0
     
    KoolKid Thanks this.
  10. KoolKid

    KoolKid Light Load Member

    272
    103
    Jun 15, 2008
    Arkansas
    0
    Lol.. I feel the same way. But this guy wanted to know the difference between the academy and orientation.

    So......
    The Academy is where you learn to drive. You learn knowledge and skills on a tractor trailer. And get your CDL.

    Orientation you get the company introduction along with paperwork, enroll in benefits, get assigned whatever it is they need to assign. Probably a road test etc.....

    Good luck in your swift journey!
     
  11. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    I know some have been answered...

    Academy is the three week CDL school. Orientation is three days, and is where you actually get hired.

    I've heard that you get paid for the second and third day of orientation. You don't get paid at Academy.

    It Depends<TM>. I went to Academy in Richmond, VA. The Virginia residents were at orientation the Monday following the end of Academy (had the weekend off). I had a week's delay, since PA residents use a third-party examiner in PA for their testing, which (in my case) happened while the VA residents were in orientation.

    Academy: 3 weeks.
    Orientation: 3 days.

    Note that those may be extended under some circumstances. (Bad weather, illness, etc.)

    The "seating fee" is an administrative fee, separate from everything else. I believe it's used to partially offset the cost of your background check and physical.

    Swift pays for a Greyhound ticket (full fare refundable) from your closest station to both Academy and Orientation. I believe if you find your own transportation, they will reimburse you up to the cost of the bus ticket.

    It increased for On Duty Driving, which is where you should be spending most of your on duty time. Not sure of the amount (that's a Recruiter Question<TM>), though $9.25/hr comes to mind. On Duty Not Driving is still your state's minimum wage.

    There are a bunch of rules (dealing with loaded trailers and the like), but in general, you can take the truck home if you have a safe and legal place to park it.

    Another It Depends<TM>. This is up to your terminal manager, as well as your driver manager. Where you live is a big factor. You can live 5 miles from the terminal and be able to take your truck home. Live in the south side of Chicago? That truck's getting parked at the Gary terminal.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.