i have had my cdl since 94.but no recent exp.i was told im goin to be in tenn. for 2 wks,then back home, ocala fl. for orentation and out with a mentor for 240 hrs.has anyone been through this prosses?? and have information on starting pay?,how much,?and do the deductions start from then or from my solo driving..also any other information would be great..i read alot of good,bad and the ugly about swift..but im gion in with a positive attitude,and detemination to get my exp to start driving otr..thank u. donnyl3
You will be with a mentor for approximately 4-6 weeks. It's not 240 hours total, it's until YOU drive 240 hours. Training pay for the first 4 weeks is $450/week gross, net depends on taxes, mine was around $370/week. Training pay for last 2 weeks is $500/week gross, can't tell you net, I finished training too early. Insurance deductions don't start until you are eligible for insurance, at least 2 months after your start date. I didn't go to school at Swift so I don't know how that part works. If your mentor is not teaching you anything, get a new one asap. You are not there to team, you are there to learn. Anything you don't learn from your mentor, you have to learn on your own and that can cost you miles and money. When you go solo, you get a whopping $.25/mile.
thank u dagger,,that is what i was wanting to know..n yea if my mentor isnt doin his job how can i do mine later..good advice...
i do not know what your personal finances are, but let me offer you a little more advice on what i would do. if you can and you have the time, check in to a PTDI certified driving school in your area. find out if they offer a cut rate for someone needing a refresher course. i can just about promise they are going to probably be 3 times cheaper in the long run. a guy i went to school with had not driven in 15 years, but he kept his CDL current. he had to attend the school to be classified as employable and he is still driving today. if you can go that route, i would then seriously check in to employment with Crete/Shaffer. when i was there, the training was paid at 500 a week, and you stay out a max of 8 weeks. it usually ends up being 6 if you get a good grasp on everything. you will be bound at the hip with contracts and conditions if you go with swift. i have heard horror stories of the drivers being OTR for weeks at a time, only turning 2k miles, and by the time the school deductions and taxes are taken out, they are making like 200 bucks a week. you can make that staying home and flipping burgers. but if you are backed into a corner and this is your only way out, then good luck. but please do extensive research before committing to one of these blood sucking bottom feeder companies.
thank u..i will look at them.(ptdi) i think i have some notes about them.i been searchin refresher courses/drivin schools for the past 3 months..my situation is that i cant pay for schooling ,i heard the horror stories about most of the schools with contracts.i wish i could go to a local collage or school but its the money now.i have 4 weeks until im bussed over to tenn n im still hunting another option ,thats why i posted on this site..guys like u have the most information that im seeking ,and i thank u for ur information and time...the search will contiue...thanks again... donnly3
i just sent a request for info from ptdi.well see what they have ..thanks cadillacdude1975..ill keep u posted..donnyl3
I didnt go through the swift school but went through orientation last week in lathrop,ca and am leaving with a trainer tonight and i was very impressed with how things are going so far at swift. Just my .02
thank u ..i know everybody has different experiences n opionions,i like to hear them all..then i can make a choice ,hope befor june 18th..
