Swift Training Questions

Albatross,

yes, $150 seems waaaaaay low for 4-6 weeks. Unless they are talking about how much you should bring to orientation (I don't know how long that is for them).

It might be that the $150 is supposed to last you to your first paycheck on the road. If that's the case, it's not unreasonable - assuming they pay you on time, and you have miles enough to eat on.

However, there are phrases in your post that make me ask: do you already have your CDL? If not, I strongly advise against getting a carrier to pay your way. Look for Gov't grands (WIA worked great for me). It leaves you beholden to no one when you get the CDL.

 

No Worker Left Behind... oh, that just ASKS for a political comment!

It sounds like state funds.

Talk to the local unemployment office and ask about WIA (Workforce Investment Act). It's federally funded, so running out of money isn't likely. I used it to go to school, and the whole process from start to finish was less than two weeks

 

I am going to roadmaster in 1 week. I had to put a down payment of $1500 and that covers the hotel. I applied for a WIA grant but was told that I had a marketable trade. i was a liscensed tankerman. I would not go to Swift for my training, they just got in alot of trouble at there Memphis facility and they have a horrible reputation. Good luck with whatever you choose.
one more thing, if you go to school on your own, there are alot of options as to companies you could apply, and do not owe any of them a thing if you quit

 

marketable trade.. yeah, I forgot about that, even though it was a PITA to prove to them that my skillset in IT/Telco were about as in demand as a case of herpes.

 

the case worker i had said she searched all jobs in texas for a month and never found any job openings in my field yet i was still too in-demand. this program really only helps those who have never had a real job. no breaks for the working man I guess

 

Do you already got your CDL? I got mine through an independent school, and then went out with my mentor.... I know the mentor is 4-6 weeks, I don't know anything about their school. You make money while your out with your mentor. PM with specific questions about the company and going out with a mentor if you want, and I will be glad to answer them, but as for the Swift School I have no clue.

Ok, I just reread question #3...... so your going to a Swift School. I can answer some of that question. From my experience you go into the truck straight out of school, but again, I didn't go to a Swift school, but was hired by Swift.
When you get your physical be respectful to the nurses. I know that should be a given, but when I was at Oreintation in Memphis, I watched this ####### get escorted out.... he had eight years otr experience, and was just hired and then fired, for talking disrespectfully to an extremely attractive female nurse. If you think she has something you want to grab onto, or you want to do something to the nurse, keep these thoughts to yourself and do not verbalize them. That idiot did.
Log it legal, they're big on that, or learn how to fib on your log book effeciently one.
Just try your best, and double check all your paper work. Swift sucks at being organized from my experience at least. They will give you a ton of paper work, and you varily have time to sign it, and no time to read it.
Something they do, that's awesome, and you should pay full attention to, and take very seriously, is the highway watch program.
Again, sorry I don't know much about the schools, but I know all about orientation, and going out with an ### hole for a mentor. So PM with any questions in those regards. Swift ain't as bad a company to start out with as alot of people say, but.... they screwed me over. Didn't get my last three paychecks. Ex wife did. But they're are ALOT of better companies. Keep your nose clean, don't become an o/o, and stick out your contract with them for a year? or however long it is to pay off your school, and then move on to greener pastures.