Should I just pay for a refresher or just try Swift orientation in Gary

I vote for Swift too, and I went through the process. It is not bad. 1) orientation, 3 days, includes good info on logs, haz mat, employment docs, drug screen, easy physical test, they pay for and give you your medical card which has to be filed with the DOT now, comdata card, and a "Can I start a truck and make a corner" drive test. 2) You then get assigned a trainer, your choice of smoking or non. They pay you $500 a week on training. I got a good one, an owner op, and I learned a lot. 3) After training, you have to pass a Swift drive test, and then you are assigned a truck. By time you finish with a trainer, if you can't pass that drive test then you shouldn't drive! It is just basic driving, backing, turning; nothing too tough.

On a personal note, I have no complaints about Swift that you wouldn't find anywhere else. Swift earns its reputation because it is a training company. I'm not a fan of Swift driving school (I went through a tech college and I'm glad I did), but as far as the company, they shoot straight. I've never had an issue with paychecks, benefits, and there is always freight. They make their bones by government subsidies for training drivers, and that is why they have so many newbies, and why so many newbies who wreck do it in a Swift truck! You can always get a bad dispatcher, bad shop, etc. anywhere, but even there I did ok. I hope this helps.

 

agree with your post except traing pay has changed. they pay your states minimum wage plus $1 for driving and minimum wage for on duty not driving

 

Neither.... I would recommend going with a smaller company and they will most likely just put you with a trainer for a few days instead of an expensive refresher course. I was faced with the same situation and went the smaller company route. Will also be much better in the long run. Your potential for success will be much greater at a smaller company.

Good luck....

 

Chompi, don't the smaller companies want you to have experience because of the insurance issues? Thanks.