"prehired" at swift looking for advice

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Toast321, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    It's definitely rough out there. Drivers that have jobs, even if they are being driven nuts, are not leaving until they have something carved in stone to replace that job with.
     
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  3. Birdeye56

    Birdeye56 Light Load Member

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    Most definitely! Those fortunate enough to be employeed better stay where they are, as the job market has crashed like in the 1920's. I have been in and out of work since March, losing over 100K a year job and figured I would go back into trucking,but thats just it I THOUGHT I would go back in! Hopefully something will break soon after all the apps. I have filled out over the last 3 weeks or so! Bankruptcy to follow this week losing our home, boat and one car.......
     
  4. Spacer

    Spacer Medium Load Member

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    It may seem like 'too little, too late' to some, but I made a point to take some distance courses while I was on the road. There was a driver shortage during the bulk of my driving years, but I knew that things do change.
    I would recommend that anyone worried about their future do something like that. Find something you enjoy doing, and learn as you go. Heck, I was reading texts and taking tests while my truck was being loaded (provided I wasn't the one doing the loading), and for a few minutes before going to sleep.
     
  5. Toast321

    Toast321 Bobtail Member

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    Well... looks like schneider isn't hiring newbs as you said. Looks like i'll have to go and get my cdl with swift. That shouldn't be a huge problem. I really have my heart set on driving the big rigs. Hopfully things will work out. Thanks for all of the advice, i'll keep posting updates as i go. I already got my dot physical out of the way, now i just need to get my permit. Does anyone know any websites out there where i can study for the test? Perferably free study materials and practice tests.
     
  6. 1lownismo

    1lownismo Bobtail Member

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    i think crst website has a pre test and i think schnider head one also...a few sites do you just have to find them. As for the waiting game trust me I have sent out alot of apps. Get alot of calls from recruiters but when they here student fresh CDL they turn and run or they go through the entire process and then say they will call back and never do...I dont have any issues with me being hired. I myself got laid off and have 3 kids I pay support for which is going to hurt really bad soon. My unemployment covers that and leaves me about 200 for every 2 weeks and a 2200$ house payment luckily I have 3 more months left of a car payment...selling bits and pieces of stuff from my show truck just so kids can have a xmas this year. Good luck since I know I sent an app to swift and never heard from them...
     
  7. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Well, if you're going with Swift, they train you and help you get the CDL. You'll have to get your CDL with whatever state your Swift school is in. So you might want to talk to a recruiter. But, almost every state now has a CDL manual online, just google for it. Also Schneider has online practice tests.

    :yes2557:
     
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  8. Toast321

    Toast321 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah understand about swift training me to get my cdl, but after talking to a recruiter they told me to get my dot physical and cdl permit first before i schedule training. I'll check out the schneider site for the practice tests. Thats really what im looking for. Thanks.
     
  9. pathfinder

    pathfinder Medium Load Member

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    Toast I thought you were looking at Millis also, what happend to them? I have heard good things about them from some of their drivers. Cant really offer any more than that but it would be a step up from Swift. But hey, if they are the only ones hiring......:biggrin_25511:
     
  10. Toast321

    Toast321 Bobtail Member

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    Merrill, WI
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    I actually never looked at Millis. I looked at CR England, Stevens, Swift, and then Schneider. I applied at all of them and was prehired for them all except for Schneider. Maybe i'll check out Millis. I'm really looking for the most inexpensive way to get my cdl. I dont have a lot of cash seeing as i havn't had a job since the summer ended. I'm also looking for a company that has an operating center in wisconsin, and maybe a training facility as well, but that's not a big deal. Swift is my first choice as of right now because of that reason. Thanks for the Millis Tip pathfinder, i'll look into it.
     
  11. gonnabe

    gonnabe Light Load Member

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    Hey toast I just got "accepted" by Millis, I went with them after Swift ok'd me because of a few reasons, one is drivers opinion, which means the more i look at the threads the better they look, and two is small cost and class size. three is the money they pay on training time is really good as is the cpm after you start solo. Last but definetly not least is their hometime policy which is about the best considering for the most part they honor it. Also they stay mostly east of the Mississippi and being from Indiana thats all good with me. Couldnt figure out what to do and gave in yesterday and said I would go with swift to get the ball rolling, but then Heard from Millis so thats where i am gonna go. I am waiting on their letter with instructions and just picked up my cdl booklet from the bmv. So hopefully will get some studing done till it get here. Also they told me over the phone school wont be until febuary which tells me they are doing a little planning on the student trainer ratio ... good luck to you
     
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