I want info on Swift Academy

Discussion in 'Swift' started by ratherbtruckin, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    I want it from the horses mouth, not the other end, so I'm asking all you drivers.

    1. I've read the list to pack etc. How long is the actual "academy" part? 3 weeks is what I'd heard is that correct?

    2.I've heard that there is sometimes a wait for a mentor. Is that done at the academy, or at your "home" terminal? I'm in Denver CO, so that would be my "home" terminal yes?

    3. The academy for me would be Phoenix yes?


    6. Being in Denver with a swift yard here, what kind of hometime could I expect to have? I don't need whole days off, but I wouldn't mind doing a 34 here, or overnighting every once in a while. I know I'd get some if I requested it...but how often (if anyone knows) does a Denver "homed" driver actually get through Denver? I could plan to take my line 1/2 here as well as 34's when possible. Like I said, I don't need to be home every weekend, that comes with time served.

    7. Last one for now. Being a new driver, I know I"m gonna get the short end of the stick on occasion, and I"m fine with that. How do you like Swift for a starter company? For a Career?

    I talked to a swifty today, didn't ask his name, but he was VERY happy with his experience. I talked to some other "trainer" company drivers who were all to happy to tell me to avoid their companies. The swifty didn't....he actually encouraged me to apply! I actually kinda liked the guy, too bad he said he doesn't train. I think I could have spent 6 weeks in his truck. It was clean what I saw of it. Really nice fella. Wish I'd have got his name or truck number.

    Like I said, I want the info straight from the horses mouth, not the other end, or I'd call a recruiter.......Fire away drivers! (if you don't work for Swift, don't bother posting please? This doesn't need to be a flame war thread)
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2011
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  3. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Have you read any of the threads on this forum? I would suggest doing that as there many threads that discuss Swift and the training for drivers.


    *s*
     
  4. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    That I have done and continue to do Nana. Those were my specific questions from all of them so far. Thanks for looking though!
     
  5. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    Found answers to 4 and 5, am removing them from original post, other questions still on the table.
     
  6. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    TruckerDragon was based from Denver. He had to get his school done at an outside source. He went to Sage for his.

    Not sure whether Colorado folks are going to Phoenix or not. Your best source for that information will be Swift directly.

    Your orientation and wait time for a mentor will be at your home terminal.

    Bluebonn hs been in his truck for only a couple weeks. He's getting over 3,000 miles this week. Kind of luck of the draw, your location and what kind of DM you end up with.

    Home time...I can't answer that one for sure, but I imagine it shouldn't be too tough. You can request to be anywhere you want and freight seems to be fairly steady out of Denver.
     
  7. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    Thanks Injun. I talked to a swift recruiter today, it is phoenix, unless I outsource the training. Not sure I'd want to do that, as if I go to swift, I'd get it "their way". Hometime was the typical answer "oh, we can get you home every 10-14 days. Thats part of why I'm hoping someone can chime in a little from experience on the side with wheels.
     
  8. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    Oh, since I got your attention Injun.....I was reading another of your threads where you were requesting home time in different places. You can do that? That'd be awesome in my case, as my son lives on the east coast, and I live in Colorado. It'd be neat to drop by and say hi.

    I know they frown on taking the truck home if you're within xx miles of a terminal. I wonder how they'd feel if I managed to set up a reset near the kiddo out there.
     
  9. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    I never had a problem with it. Your hometime request macro asks for a zip code. You can put any one in there you want. Bear in mind that they will do one of two things: send you an awesome load going in the opposite direction when it's getting close...partly to find out whether it's family or greed that turns your crank...or get you there as close to time as possible. My experience is they are usually a day or two earlier than I want. But I get there.
     
  10. ratherbtruckin

    ratherbtruckin Light Load Member

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    Oh man, that'd be a tough call.......I think greed turns my crank, because it provides more for my family........Thanks for the info Ma'am. I swear you should be in recruiting, you're a fountain of information.
     
  11. spuddatruckdriver

    spuddatruckdriver Light Load Member

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    im in it for the cool looking swift truck.....:biggrin_25523:
     
    Injun and Texas-Nana Thank this.
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