Swift training school any one out here been there.

Thanks CD!
If I do go with HH, I will ask for Joanna. She has done a really good job from what I can see with my mentor, and gets us a T-Call for almost every load into Sumner.
Currently I am assigned to Nick, and classified as OTR, but we shall see tomorrow.

I was released off my mentors truck on Monday night because they had a new student who was waiting for a mentor. Seeing as how I had 2 days left, the Driver Services Coordinator said I could run those with LCQT. I have come to learn that this stands for "Local close quarters training", which means we hostle trailers from the terminal to Costco DC, Port of Tacoma and where ever else they want to send us.

My new trainer was shocked to see that I could handle his 13 speed heavy haul truck right out the gate. I was surprised to see how much more power his day cab had than any of the other 3 trucks I have driven. This truck is awesome with these heavy loads!

He is mostly just giiving me a few pointers from his experience. He did teach me yet another way to throw chains! It seems that everyone has a different way to do it, and they all seem to think that it is the best way. This way did seem easier, as he never had to move the truck to install the chains! Now I just need to see which way will work better in snow or ice, as opposed to sitting on a paved, dry parking space.

I am still learning a lot from these mentors. I have come to find out that there are a lot of guys out there that have a great deal of knowledge, and they are more than willing to teach me.

So, one more day running local in Sumner and then I will supposedly get into a truck of my own. We shall see what tomorrow will bring!

 

People from the MA state,who wants to work for Swift must themselves hold the CDL.Swift driving schools does not accept students from MA and NY. I wonder why...

 

did u get ur own truck yet

 

I completed my 6 weeks training with my mentor on Monday 9-12, and started 2 days of Local training on Tuesday. Completed the local at 1400 on Wednesday and was released to solo, YEAH!

Well I was turned over to my Driver Manager and he said, when do you want to get started, which I responded immediately. Well, no truck ready! One is coming in tonight, driver could move out and truck cleaned for tomorrow. He said to go home and he would call me.

So I left Sumner at 1500 expecting to stay till at least Friday. DM calls Thursday at 0930 and says the truck is ready, come in at 1400 and we will get it all checked out to me. When I arrive at 1345 he said the truck went to the dealer when he was at lunch, hang tight. So i sit around till he comes up and says, new plan, that truck is a POS, so I got you another one.

We checked out my new truck, which is a 2007 Volvo, and was dirtier than my teenagers bedroom! Which is fine, I would be cleaning it anyway. So I spend about 45 minutes wiping down everything with 2 packages of Lysol wipes, and getting my gear in the truck when the Qualcom starts beeping at me.

I have my first Pre-Plan! WooHoo! The load is picking up here at Sumner terminal and going to St Paul minnestoa. Not a bad first run! Delivery is Monday 9-21 at 1000, so I have 3 and a half days to go 1600 miles. I accepted that Load and started out of Sumner at 1900.

Headed East on I-90, a familiar road after the last 6 weeks, and decided to stop at the Pilot in Spokane on Exit 286. This way I could get my free shower in the morning and have a good start on the run. Got to Spokane at 0200, and was lucky enough to get a parking spot.

Started out on Friday after a shower and some food from Zip's drive in, that place is great! Now I didn't mention this earlier, but my fuel plan was to go to Billings MT, Exit 455 Pilot. I started out with almost a full tank, and even though I thought 850 miles was a long way, I would see how it goes. So as I am passing through Idaho, and into Montana, I am seeing that I am not going to make it to Billings, I would be short by about 30 gallons. So I am trying to get in touch with someone to open me up for fuel in Butte. After sending a QC message, calling the numbers 12 times and sitting on hold for 30 minutes, i finally get the security dispatcher in Sumner. I explain that i am now 50 miles out of Butte, have 1/4 tank of fuel, and will not make it to Billings. He said I could go to St Cloud, or Rocker, both Pilots, and fill up. Thank You, crisis averted. Otherwise i was going to have to stop in Butte and try to get a hold of someone!

So I fueled up in Rocker MT, got back on I-90 and finished my Friday in Billings MT. Now I have about 800 miles to go before I deliver at 1000 on Friday.

Pretty exciting stuff! I am very happy with this Volvo, it only has 324,000 miles. Runs great, and i am getting the dirt cleaned up in the cab! This unit does have the Tempastart, so I need to play with that a little bit. Also, I am looking for an inexpensive Sony Stereo so i can hook up my XM Direct system. I had this kit for a Sony radio, so rather than buy a portable kit, i would like to hook this up under the dash.

Some other things I will be looking for soon is a better Bluetooth. Mine is an older motorolla S9, and people say there is a lot of engine noise. It works for now, but I was looking at a Plantronics unit with superb noize cancelling, they are about $100. Lastly i was contemplating on getting a CB. Need to do some research because i see them from $39 to $200. This is not a priority, My mentor never had one and we did just fine!

 

ford390pwr,
Thanks for posting this. It gives someone who has had no experience in the industry an idea of what to expect. I read almost all 31 pages Sent you a pm with a few Q's I have for ya, Thx.
Keith
thePUNISHER

 

email sent, thanks ford!

 

I have some experience and am going to orientation at Swift in Ocalla, Florida in Oct. I am from the Seattle area and want to move back there next summer. I am going to try and get a transfer. Last time I talked to Sumner they were only hiring for heavyhaul. What are you doing? Any tips during training? congradulations on your new truck and your new job.

 

Hey ford (or anyone else that can answer)

you seem to have developed a good following with your post throughout your swift training, myself included
Question I Have for ya is about the pay you received and how they expect you to pay back the loan?

I was told that training is 450.00 for the first 4 weeks,then 500.00 for the next two. well, how much of that did you need to eat/sleep on while you where going through training? so what did your take home ended up being?

Secondly, i was told the tuition for them to train you was going to be 3900.00 and the hotel fee was 500.00 that would be added into the "loan".

I was then told that the loan would be paid back to the school over a 13 month period. I do not know what the interest is, do you?

well, I figured the loan straight up divided over 13 and it came to 338.00 a month. this seems like half of what I would be expecting to make as a OTR driver. any help here would be appreciated as i am still in the research phase of all this, trying to figure what my best options are. thanks for your time. and thanks again for the post.

 

I just thought I would drop my two cents worth... I just completed my 3 weeks of driving school through the Lewiston Swift Academy. The class I was in was the last class who would not have to pay the $500.00 for the motel and we would also get reimbursed for the CDL training once the loan was paid back in full. The good thing about Swift is, the loan is a cash up front loan so they do not charge any interest.

If any one has any questions about the Swift Academy I would be glad to answer them... I am sure by now Ford is exhausted with all of the training. All I can tell people is get your ducks in a row before even thinking about driving for Swift or any other company. Swift is a great company to work for, and if you have a good attitude going into it you will have a great experience.

Good luck to all of you who are considering driving for Swift!

 

I'll be at orientation in Ocala Oct. 20th,any tips on what to be ready for? What model Volvo's or Freightshakers does Swift use for training and when you're out on your own?