Must start another GOOD SWIFT thread...

So whats the secret, whats the best way to keep rollin? I really don't want to go to school, do a good job, and then find my self unemployed and in debt to a company! Most schools I talked to want the mony up front, so the swift thing sounded pretty good. Is this common or not so much, just possible? I don't mind making a sacrifice of time, and working hard and doing what it takes. Heck I don't mind if they don't respect me at first! My family is counting on me and providing for them is whats most important to me! I guess i'm just trying to figure out the odds so I can make the best decision and not wast time or money! You probly answered some of this, I guess i'm just venting!! wears one of those tree huggin yoga classes when you need one!!?

 

Polk Salit: I'm in the same boat. Scheduled to train August 6 in San Antonio.....I'm beginning to wonder if I should just try to save up and go to a school and pay up front. That would be so hard to do...my present job doesn't pay much!

 

You guys fixing to go to Swift may want to check and find out if you have to pay them back if you get layed off. I would hope if they lay you off that you wont owe them a thing, but Swift is well knowen for their BS.

If they tell you that you wont owe them a dime for a layoff GET IT IN WRITING.... If not go work some place else

 

that is a good point. thanks 6pak4-two

 

My first question would be are you going to Swift due to your lack of money? There are other Company's out there to choose from who also do there own schooling. CFI is $ 1,250.00 up front and you pay for your food and misc. it's a 4 week class. Watkins/Shepard also is another company that has a school. If you have a good work history as well as DMV record you might look int these 2. Central Refrigeration is another $ 350.00 up front there refer altough owned by Swift run by different people. If you want the miles you will give up your home time that is be out 3 to 4 weeks then take a few days off. If you can pay your own schooling TWT runs West coast I 5 refer as well you would be able to stop by the house from time to time. Set your goals long term then pick a company that fits part of your needs H/T and do some calling. As for miles the longer you stay out the better you do but if you need to see your family don't go trucking. If all you want is a year in order to local then just pick a co. Remember these above companies do a tuition reimbursement as well you may need to stay for 1 to 2 years but you get most if not all you money back.
Every company will have it's share of BS truckings not a job it's a LIFESTYLE change think about what you want to do a year or 2 from now and work towards that that should be your goal. As for unemployment everyone is asking that same question with fuel up and freight down who knows go to a truck stop and ask a few drivers from these company's how there doing most like talking to ya that's better then the info you see here comes straight from the horses moth. Best of luck..................

 

This should be just like any other contract or loan if you will your gonna keep your CDL so they will say a loan is a loan you don't stop mak'n your car payment if your laid off should be the same with the school so it would be in your best interest to try to do it on your own most schools do a payment plan.
One more thing to think about with a company they control your DAC so if you don't repay the loan finding another job could be tough companies will lie tru there teeth and make your life a liv'n H**l if you know what I mean.

 

One thing I want to say is I'm not against Swift I did run for them 11 years ago I just want to say you have other options to choose from the biggest doesn't make it the best. I did ok with Swift but that was 11 years ago and they were smaller and freight was up.



Thanks 6pak.....................................................

 

Why such a long wait before starting school? Your choice? Or is the waiting list that long at Swift? I talked to a Driver Solutions school recruiter yesterday who wanted to get me in class MONDAY.... the day after tomorrow.... and that was with P.A.M. paying the tuition (loan) with a guaranteed hire (upon successful completion). Yeah, it's a mill, for sure, but I need to get on the road, and I'd only have to pay back about $1,495 in tuition, if I stayed a full year (about $6,000 if I don't).

Just thinking out loud here: I noticed that the Swift Driving Academy (at least the one in Memphis) is apparently PTDI certified. Are all Swift schools PTDI certified? If my thinking is right, that means they meet at least minimum standards recognized in the industry, and should probably look better on the newb's resume than having gone to a normal 2 or 3-week mill. But then, I'm sure an experienced driver's good safety record, work history, and experience is more important than where he/she went to school. After all, half the 4-wheelers on the road had Driver's Ed, but still drive like it's a video game (as do some "pro" truckers)!

BTW, unless I read their website wrong (or it was a typo), it takes 26 months to pay back Swift's tuition through payroll deduction, not 13. I assume you could pay off early, if you wanted?

Still thinking out loud: I'm gratefull to all who take the time to contribute to these forums, both negative and positive. I'm learning a lot! I do discount most of the rants, though, as we all do have our pet peeves and tend to exagerate them. The POSITIVE experiences I've read about give me hope that I can get my training paid for and stay with a company at least long enough to owe them nothing should I leave early. Job satisfaction is very important to me, especially after 20 years of working for the Fed (couldn't stand the last 10 years!)

The whole question of company paid tuition for me is how long will I be able to stay with a given company after getting my CDL? If I can't stand to stay until it's paid back, I'll owe them payback, and that varies with company (as much as $6,000). I can't afford to pay up front, which is so much more advantageous ($2,000 at the community college vs. $5,000/$6,000 at some of the CDL mills... and no strings!)

So many questions and options.... I'm at the point where I need to take the plunge and just hope for the best!

 

I assure you that you where not "fired" because of cutbacks.

The so called cutback was actually 10% of the fleet which all of the big companies agreed to take off of the road to try and prevent a fright war. 1700 trucks in Swifts case. There was no driver layoff the people who where let go was simply from screwing up and getting fired. A normal everyday thing.

 

B I N G O............
They are not laying off. Although they are weeding out those who have high idle times and heavy fuel consumption. But, they are much more liberal than most companies on the issue.