Serious Question for Newbie Trucking

I like Swift so far. Everything has been good at Swift training in San Antonio. Only thing that has been painful is the 240 hours after orientation with a mentor. The mentor thing is more difficult than anything so far.

Thing is if you stay 1 year with Swift the training is free. FREE is good in my opinion.

 

You can check out some of the threads in the Trucking schools forum. What are some of your concerns, this way we can better help you with your decision?

 

Not trying to make you look bad bro, but I have to point out that unless something has changed the training at Swift is not free after one year. They deduct the training from your checks then after all of it has been paid they start tuition reimbursement. I believe that to come out completely even with Swift you are looking at 24-36 months.

The only ones I know of that are actually literally free if you complete 1 year are Prime and Stevens. There are probably others too, but those are two that I know of.

 

I agree with you sharp.dressed.man....although, I believe that even Prime and Stevens take money from your check.

 

My bad you are correct. For me it is after 20 months, because I was ex-military.

 

[quote="The Prophet";2404869]Hi everyone....I am from Aiken, SC and im wondering like how in the world to get into the trucking career with only a cdl permit in my hand. I looked at some company paid trainings but after reading alot of posts i want to make sure that that would be the right thing to do. Any help????[/quote]

Go to a trucking school and make sure you get the full 160 hr training that is required by most companies.You can get your training threw a trucking own school like Swift,FFE,etc but you will have to sign a contract plus you still got'a pay something.If your unemployed look into the W.I.A program which is a government grant but that's depends if your state still offers it.

 

I was under the impression that Prime only deducted money if you take the cash advances during your CDL instruction period and that Stevens deducted for lodging, advances, but not training. I could be wrong on both counts will have to do more thorough investigation apparently.

 

Well..don't quote me either...I haven't talked to either of them in a little while. It seems like I was talking to someone the other day about a school that Prime uses. Ofc, that school charged, and Prime paid up front for a contract. I would be hard pressed to belive that Stevens will train you for free, and pay you at .30 cents a mile or more. There would have to be a catch somewhere. But, like I said, don't hold me to that one...

 

You would be better off finding a company that pays well and just paying Swift off at your convenience. That's what I did.