Swift school in Tennessee?

I think Indian River Transport is now hiring new cdl school grads. Not on the website yet, so give a phone call or visit the terminal and apply.
Started their own cdl school recently.
You'd like food grade tankers.
Indian River Transport Company
2580 Executive Road
Winter Haven, Florida 33884
~
Call and ask about their new cdl school.
They run 48 states.
Indian River Transport Company

 

I went to the "Swift Academy" in Phoenix and seldom, VERY seldom get to Tennessee. So, can't say much about their school in Tennessee. That said, I think that with any CDL it's just a luck of the draw if you get an instructor you can learn from or not. I was lucky and had an instructor I was able to learn from. But, it was an odd thing. My instructor was a cowboy. Dude was more John Wayne than John Wayne. Was a boxer in the Army, owned horses, had a small 10ish acre ranch and was working on getting a bigger ranch, etc. Me, well I'm a poster child for a hippy liberal. So, it was an odd mix of sorts. Regardless, I 'got it' from him. Had a fellow student didn't work well with him and switched to a different instructor that worked better for him.
Anyway, all the 'Academy' did was teach you what you needed to get your CDL. Nothing more, nothing less. I think that is a common misunderstanding newbies make, they get their CDL and think they know how to be a truck driver. Wrong! You really start learning to be a driver when you go out with a trainer, or mentor in Swift vernacular. Most newbies don't want to go out with a mentor. The thought of being struck with some dude for a month in a truck is not appealing and they think they don't need it. That time with a mentor is critical and you want to really hope you get a good mentor. I was lucky and got a food one. Yeah, some things about being out with a mentor for a month sucked. But, overwhelmingly the experience was vital and critically essential. I have many very fond memories my time with my mentor and so grateful for the experience. Really did teach me enough to be able to get thrown out there all on my own. He didn't teach me everything I needed to learn, but enough to know how to figure out and get the info about what I did learn.
YMMV, but I think Swift is a really good place to get a start. The corporate culture is geared toward newbies, so alot of support helping inexperienced drivers through the rough patches and rooky mistakes. Never felt like I was thrown out in the deep end to sink or swim without a helping hand readily available.
I'm a reefer jockey and agree that reefer is a good way to go. Amongst other things it's typically the most recession proof freight. However, at least with Swift, alot more live loads and unloads where you have to wait around to get loaded or unloaded instead of drop and hooks where you just drop a loaded trailer, pick up an empty and get back on the road. So, reefer requires patience that can be a big downside for some. And, it does pay a bit more per mile.
Besides the recession proof aspect of it, I just physiologically like the idea of hauling food. I've hauled fries for McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Chick-fil-a, Jack in the box tacos!!!, bunches of assorted meat loads, candy, onions, pineapples, etc. Almost always food. IDK, I just like that.

 

I don't think WallyWallyWorld can go wrong with Swift Refrigerated or Indian River Transport.
There's a 3rd choice that trains in Tampa, Stevens Transport.
CDL Training & Truck Driving School | Stevens Transport
OUR TAMPA DRIVER TRAINING LOCATION
Tampa Truck Driving School
8501-B Sabal Industrial Blvd
Tampa, FL 33619
~
I'd rank them in this order:
#1 - Indian River Transport
#2 - Swift Refrigerated
#3 - Stevens Transport

 

Those 3 posted are also listed as best for pay.

 

So I have a question me and my wife and my dad was looking to get our cdl through swift and drive for them with leasing the truck any opinions on if it's a smart idea just starting out or anything just looking for some ideas that we should do let me know plz

 

So I have a question me and my wife and my dad was looking to get our cdl through swift and drive for them with leasing the truck any opinions on if it's a smart idea just starting out or anything just looking for some ideas that we should do let me know plz

 

Where is your location; state and nearest city/state?

 

Huntsville alabama near Memphis Tennessee so the swift terminal in Memphis would be the best I think

 

Swift is a good place to get started. The pay is better with Swift Refrigerated division.