Going to Swift trucking school. Do i need to give a reference for fast food job?

Yea that's what a lot of people think. I've worked in that industry in the past and witnessed many cases of managers telling much more than just dates and job titles whether it was positive or negative. You gotta remember they are calling and talking to a guy who makes a little better than minimum wage and has no real stake in the company whether it's franchise or not. He's not afraid of getting sued, if anybody even found out which is highly unlikely it would the company that got sued not him. He's going to give his opinion based on how he felt personally about the employee when he was working with him or her.

 

Are you saying your 27 and the only job you ever had was a fast food job you've been working at for the past two years ?

Go find a better place than Swift. The CPM for drivers have gone up in the past few months. Don't miss out on that extra $$$$$$ you could be making.

 

Yup. It all depends on who they get on the phone (most fast food and retail places...there's one main line to get into the building). If they manage to get through to a human resources manager (retail store) or a franchisee (in the case of fast food)...they're just going to get the basic/official employment verification. If no one like that is available and the Swift representative asks the person who picked up the phone "can you verify that Jim Bob worked there...." there's no telling what they'll get for an answer.

 

I agree with this statement.. you can do a lot better than Swift when starting out.

 

You're probably telling yourself money doesn't matter, it'll be better than McDonald's. When you get out here though, you'll find what's swift pays and does to you is not worth it. If you absolutely have to do paid training, look at prime. There are a lot of deals to get your cdl for free. At the very least You can try a student loan. Find cdl schools nearby and talk to them about financing or sponsors. Mist cdl schools are full of guys who have NEVER had 5k in their bank account.

 

x2. Another thing...talk to your local government workforce center (affiliated with state unemployment). Depending on your situation, there's a chance that you might be able to get the man (.gov) to pick up the tab for your vocational training (CDL school). There are a couple guys in my class that went that route.

If you end up going the loan route, keep your eye out for the interest rate. Some people in my class didn't know to look out for that and were in for a rude awakening when they processed that (19.99%). If you do go the loan route...pay it off early or else you're looking at shelling out $7,000+ for a $4,000-5,000 program.

 

What does Swift stand for ?

S - Sure

W - Wish

I - I

F - Finished

T - Training

 

Swift needs an employement record and needs to verify what you have been doing if not employed (a reference letter) You will need if not your previous employement but also a letter stating why you were not employed for X time. That said never lie, tell them everything. Keep clean stay away from friends who may slip you something nobody will believe you and it's over.

There is a Swift page here on the forum you can get better answers there from real Swift drivers. Good & Bad --> Inside scoop ---> Trucking Compaines --> Swift Even though we get trolls breathing fire and brimstone and telling you how horrible Swift is and about the about the pot of gold they get driving yet never share who they drive for.

But it has perks like no cash upfront schooling, even better if your a veteren, lots of schools so if your close to one like we are to the Phx terminal my husband stayed at home, and you can get some time on your belt because lots of good jobs and better paying jobs ask you for a year 2 years even 5 years of OTR before they will hire you. Sometimes you need to start and start off at the bottom but you can work your way up even at Swift without leaving to drive for someone else.

 

You may want to work at least 1 more year to the the minimum amount of time of 3 years.

It would not hurt to stay in your current job for another several years, (hopefully rising through the ranks), to compensate for your late entry into the work force.

You may want to try to reach the 10 year mark to show that you are NOT a job hopper.
This could potentially be your ticket to getting training and a truck driving job with a MINIMUM amount of hassling about your work history.

Being 27 years old and not having a prior work history before the age of 25 could potentially raise a red flag with some employers, trucking or otherwise.

Good luck to you!

 

Maybe, just maybe, those swift drivers who
constantly complain in T/S about getting no
miles get no miles because they are constantly
bxxxxing and complaining about everything.
to their dispatch and to the world.

A positive attitude goes a long way.

There aren't a whole lot of starter co's out
there. Swift is not the best but certainly not
among the scum either..
After only 1yr, I get .44cpm, avg about 2600 m/werj,
get 75/wk safeyty bonus, and am home almost
every day (w/ the trk and trlr) on a dedicated acct.

No complaints here.