a couple of questions about swift...

1. No.

2. I'm not sure if there is a time limit. I think I once heard 6 months.
My daughter rode with me last summer, and it had been around 4 months since I went solo and 6 with the company.
Ask your DM to be certain.

3. Only if you put them in. The only inverters you can get away with are the type that can plug in to a 12V socket, unless you are a L/O or O/O or need a CPAP machine.
So, you are basically limited to around 150W of power from any inverter.
And don't push it. You only have a 20A fuse to work with.

Since you are so limited on power you probably won't go with a mini fridge, but a cooler. Basically, they cool to around 30-40 degrees below ambient temp. Good most of the time, if you can keep the cab under 80 degrees.

Take some advice and get the Coleman cooler.
I didn't at first, and have now bought 3 in the last 15 months.
It is a bit larger, a bit quieter, and a lot more reliable. It cools faster than the others I have had, and gets colder.
Plus, you can stand on it without damage (something you'll appreciate if you store stuff on the top bunk and are in a Volvo).

It costs a little more (like, 25 bucks), but worth it.

4. No idea.

 

A greenhorn friend recently went through Millington and then on the road training in Ocala, now out on the road with mentor.

The big thing is that there is a 50% drop out rate overall in those first two weeks of boot camp and you are thousands of bucks in debt and no CDL, no job if you drop out. You get a hotel room (you already owe for when you signed up) if you live more than 50 or 60 miles away from Ocala. You need to be fit, learn quick and work hard if you are not to drop out, it is not summer camp.

If you can self-pay community college at Starke or Flagler (8 weeks and well under $3000) that is a much safer option and (in the medium term) more profitable. Lower dropout rate and you pay only half the money if you drop out in the first month.

 

I would say a cooler is a must, but you won't be keeping frozen food in it.
At least, it won't stay frozen more than a few hours.

If you're an O/O or L/O you can do pretty much what you want with the truck, but I'm not really that sure about L/O's.
Just like leasing a car, it is more like renting it until it is fully paid off. So there are probably some limitations.
Perhaps a L/O will chime in.

 

Don't ask, Don't tell

 

I have a fridge and inverter in my truck. L/O. Both installed at KW with no problems. IEL has no problems. They only have a problem if I would have installed. As long as either a shop or dealer, then it is cool. Really like the freezer in the fridge.

 

Sorry but, with respect, I disagree with this approach. The Swift schools cost $3900, $2900 for veterans, and you will pay off the loan in 13 months but if you stay 26 your cost will be zero. (Your medical and CDL fees are not reimbursed.) The advantage is that you are being trained by Swift employees. The ONLY two purposes of the school are to get you a shiny new CDL and teach you to operate your equipment in a safe and controlled manner.

The greatest advantage of going to a Swift Academy is, unless you're a total screw up, you have a job driving for Swift.

Phase 2 of your training is 240 hours with a mentor, regardless how many weeks it takes. You will learn company policies and procedures, life on the road and enough competence as a driver to be determined fit to upgrade to solo driver.

Phase 3 of your training better continue each and every day behind the wheel.

I'm somewhat concerned that your questions revolve around the goodies, e.g., inverters and refrigerators. Have you researched pay scales, benefits, hours of service and all of the less glamorous details? It is not easy or high paying even though, for me at least, there are huge rewards and many of them are intangible.

With a school start in May you need to get a CDL Drivers Manual at your local DMV and start studying it NOW. Good luck and remember its not easy but it certainly is worth it.
Frank

 

I just started solo two days ago and have been told by my "mentor" and other drivers that my wife can come with me now. We just have to fill out some paperwork. Since she isn't coming with me for a few more months, I haven't verified this.