Paid driving Academy?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TICKLES, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. TICKLES

    TICKLES Bobtail Member

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    Jul 6, 2013
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    Do you guys know if any companies pay you while attending company sponsored school/academy?
    I was told by a recruiter that I would not be paid while in their academy. That's a long time with no income.
    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
     
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  3. yearziro

    yearziro Light Load Member

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    Jul 5, 2013
    St.Louis
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    Most (if not ALL) companies dont pay you a dime while your in class but will only have you in a class room for a week while they run your background and drug test and you complete the paperwork and safety stuff for said company.

    once that is done you will go get a medical card take your permit test and head out on the road and begin to receive cash seen companies say 350-600
     
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  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Personally I would pay for training myself at PDTI certified school and then enter industry. Not always an option for all, but more profitable in the long run. Also not bound to s company to pay off training.
     
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  5. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    No sponsored school that I'm aware of pays you until you get your CDL. In fact, they don't hire you until after you have your CDL.

    Prime will advance you $200/wk while you are getting your CDL, then pay you a minimum of $600/wk once you have your license, get hired, then go out with your trainer.

    Swift, OTOH, buys you lunch your first day. You pay for everything else. They will loan you the money for your housing.

    Roehl doesn't even provide transportation from the hotel you pay for (up front).

    Bottom line, talk to the recruiters at the various companies, and find out what they do at their school.

    Remember, though, you are only going to be there a few weeks.
     
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  6. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    Pay $5000-$8000 up front at a PTDI-certified trucking school, or pay $3900 over time to attend PTDI-certified Swift Academy. Your choice.
     
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  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    PaiD $3500 for my wife at Malden, MO, 8 years ago.Work for swift if you like low money, or get your own training and pick your own decent company. No disrespect.
     
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  8. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    South west Missouri
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    See, the problem is - they get the money out of you after you graduate their "training school", by paying you a reduced rate and demanding loyalty for 1 year or more, or they'll charge you for the training and ruin your credit if you don't pay. That's why we financed our own career.

    I did check on Schneider s training for a friend who was looking and I wasn't TOO horrified, but they still wanted the extended service while you paid them back.

    Either way, you gotta put some rookie time in. Just don't let any of these prime or swift drivers convince you into signing up for a lease purchase - same idea, learn the industry and self finance if you REALLY want to be an owner.
     
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  9. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    I graduated from Swift Academy earlier this week. I was asked three different times if I was going to drive for Swift. They made it very clear from the start that we were under no obligation to drive for them; we were free to sign with a different company if we chose to. There were no demands for anything.

    My choices to get a license were the following:
    1. Pay $8000 (up front) to the local tech school, and spend 4 weeks getting my license, or

    2. Pay $3900 (financed over the next year at 0% interest) to Swift Academy, and get my license in 3 weeks.

    Both schools are PTDI certified, and in neither case am I obligated to drive for anyone. Or at all, if I so choose. Right now, I am free to sign with any company that takes students fresh out of school.

    Swift will repay the tuition if I drive for them. Most company sponsored schools have some kind of repayment program in place. Keep in mind that for a 2500 mi/wk average, that repayment comes out to 1.5-4 cpm depending on the company.
     
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  10. TICKLES

    TICKLES Bobtail Member

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    Jul 6, 2013
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    I am thinking about going with Swift. Can you tell me about your experience at Swift Academy? Where was your Academy? How was the room they put you up in? Do you think you will stay with Swift for the 2 years? Any information you can provide, i would appreciate it. Thank you so much!
     
  11. BuckeyeCowboy63

    BuckeyeCowboy63 Medium Load Member

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    May 28, 2013
    Cincinnati, OH
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    Conway does, but only in certain areas. It is a 12 week program. You work their docks half a day and train you the other half. That was according to their website back in May when I was researching the same thing. Check out their website. You will get local with doubles to start then can move into otr later if so desired. Hope it helps. Take care and God bless.
     
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