Last day to pick

Unless it is paid up front you will owe someone for your training.

Stop worrying about that, and simply learn to drive the truck.
The test is simple. 4 right turns, with a tight one in the mix. Just take your time and you'll be OK.
Concentrate more on backing skills.

The contract is simply to pay back what you owe for the training. You can always move to a different company while paying back the debt. You are not obligated to stay with Swift for any amount of time, but you are obligated to pay the debt.
The thing is, if you stay with Swift for a year it will be paid off. If you stay another year they pay you back in kind, thus rendering the training free.

 

I had the money for school. I chose Swift's Academy because technically I already shelled out for a trucking school back in 2008 and received my license then; however, I ended up letting my license go. I didn't want to spend money on another trucking school upfront when I had already wasted money for a license that didn't get used back in 2008.

Swift's Academy is 0% interest and the loan is only 12 months as some other posters have corrected me. Also, there is no stipulation in the contract that you have to work for Swift after attending the Academy. Once you get your CDL, you can go work for someone else if you want. You'll still owe the money and just won't be eligible for the tuition reimbursement that you receive for working for Swift (the academy is basically free if you drive for swift 2 years).

 

you can take a shower every day if you choose. some obviously chooses not too. thats not just swift drivers either. your test out will be easy. just be confident in what you do. money will be tight at first for sure, but try to buy food at walmart and not at truckstops or resteraunts.

 

I'm only 3 paychecks in since getting off my mentor's truck and upgrading to solo. My first 2 checks were pretty dismal thanks to being broke down half of my first 2 weeks. My latest check is actually fairly decent. I've also been averaging about $12 a day on food ($100/week).

I feel $250-300 should be pretty easily doable if not even more. There's plenty of variables that can go into it, still.

 

I think the Swift driving academy is a good way to go. I got my CDL in 2009 at their Millington TN school. Drove a year for Swift, two and a half for Averitt and now I'm on a local dedicated run for Mercedes Benz. The year with Swift was over quickly and then I went on to a better situation with way better pay and creature comforts. Some of my buddies I went to school with are still with Swift. You'll do fine on testing out.It was way easy.

 

Your truck can be brand new or 10 miles away from being taken out and shot, it's a CRAP shoot. The Academy worked for Steve but it's supplemental income, we couldn't live off of it. He needed a job and had no money for school, it worked. You get what you put into it. Work hard, and drive you'll make money. You are in charge of showering and washing so that's on you. Save as much as you can because you don't know when you will run or when you'll be in the shop. Does it happen a lot, no? but it does happen.

 

I believe you're over thinking the situation just a bit. As said above you're only signing to repay the loan and hotel...not to make you an indentured slave to Swift.

I went to Swifts San Antonio academy 3 years ago. Paid the loan while driving the first 13 months and was reimbursed the whole amount the second 13 months. Total cost of my CDL was $0. Would do it again given the same choices.

Dont sweat the road test either. By the time you finish with your mentor you should be able to control the truck in any situation. You will have by then driven freeways, cities, mountains, back roads etc. my test at Lancaster TX was out the gate, take a few turns left and right and back in the gate to park.
Driving the truck will become second nature. If you want to make money and get good miles every week two skills you'll need to master quickly are trip planning and time management, especially with e-logs. You'll need to demonstrate you can safely and consistently pick up and deliver your loads on time. You'll have a steep learning curve those first few months learning the ins and outs of life on the road and Swifts rules and culture. The monetary rewards and other perks come when you do.

As as far as showers, you get credits for free showers from your fuel stops...use them. You'll find because of schedules and whatnot you may not shower every day though. I shower every other day max!! I build that time into my schedule. Any Swift driver that's walking around stinking is doing it by choice. I refuse to live like a pig.

Good luck on your road ahead!!