Help me pick the lesser evil

prime first, then swift second.

you will sign some sort of employment contract, to stay with them x amount of time, to pay them back

also, stay away from getting into a lease deal right away. learn the business, see if you really like it, then at a later time, decide to get into a lease deal.

i do believe CR England really pushes the lease deals while you are in training, and (i heard) if you refuse, you can be sent home for weeks waiting on a truck.

 

I would go Prime, or Roehl, or somewhere else that has van reefer and open deck, maybe even tank. First starting out you may find that your only happy pulling certain types of freight and being as your going to be with the company till your school is paid off, its good to have options.

 

I work for none of the above but have applied at both Swift and Prime. All the crap you hear about either of them, mostly is just crap. When I have spoken to swift drivers in person they are always universally happy in their position. When you talk to them online and didn't just see them getting out of a swift cab, can't verify that they actually drive for swift, they talk crap.

Same with Prime. Get on YouTube and watch videos from Prime drivers and you will see that there aren't any of them complaining, and mostly offer praise.

CR England, I have heard bad things both online and face to face.

I have applied at all 3 and am presently waiting on the recruiter from Swift to actually inform me about the status of my background check. I haven't ever been able to reach him by phone or email, having called at least 20 times and sending 5 emails. Not very good about getting back to you at all.

I am in the unfortunate position of having a 14 year old felony, with a scattering of random misdemeanors(none in the last 7 or so years though!) and I'm probably going to have to do my time with a company like Carolina Cargo and they only pay .10cpm...

If you have a good, VERIFIABLE, work history and no criminal record and a clean MVR, I would say go with Prime as a first option. The drivers seem to be a lot happier there and have better benefits. But despite what many will tell you, Swift isn't as bad as you will hear. Plus they have freight. All of these companies are basically the same. It's about your attitude, your DM's attitude and how hard you are willing to run.

 

Check the state jobs agency. A private school, not in CT, said that if I went with in a CDL permit in hand it is evidence of sincere intent. It can take a month to get a grant.

 

Anything to get started. Your training company isn't the one you'll stay with more than likely. Apply to a few then just go for it.
North Carolina is an excellent state for trucking jobs, so when you move there you'll have a hundred companies to choose from. By then your obligation will be over with the training company.
Prime is a little difficult to get on with unless you have all your ducks in a row. Everything on the application has to be perfect.
Try these :
Jim Palmer Trucking - refrigerated
Millis Transfer - dry van
Roehl Transport - flatbed/refrigerated/dry van
Maverick Transportation - flatbed
TMC - flatbed
Celadon - flatbed or refrigerated
CRST - teams for 10 months which is when your obligation is complete.
Carolina Logistics
All the above have their own cdl school.

Apply to several companies. You will need original social security card (not laminated) and original birth certificate.

 

None they are all ####. If it was me, Id go to TransAm. Pay is ####, but at least youll be comfortable in the truck.

 

I like TransAm too, but they don't have cdl school.

 

Swift or Prime, whoever pays more. Both have options, Reefer, Van ,Flatbed, in case you wanna try both or all the above. Prime has a small tanker division as well, don't know what areas they do though.

My current student jumped from CRE and thier training program is apparently retarded, or she was lied too "#### if I know which." Apparently was supposed to never get off the highway without trainer, never drive night hours, then phase two teaming with another fresh student for as month #### that.

I can answer most questions if you have them about Swift, Im leaving them in about a week and a half, but I was never royally screwed by them. Just found something better.


Training school is 3 weeks if no permit, 2 weeks if you have permit. (Some of their schools require it.)

200hrs drive time with a mentor/trainer. Then upgrade "here's the keys, don't end up on YouTube."

Starting pay was .36,,, been hearing .37 recently. Flatbed is more. During training you are paid hourly minimum wage. Paid nothing during training school but free room and board if you complete the 2 year agreement. First year they take 37$ out of every check, following year they pay it back. Leave the first year and you just have to pay them back, you are free to leave though.