Need A Little Advice

I'm from Robertson County; born & raised there.
R. E. West has free cdl school in Ashland City and no contract to sign.
You are paid a salary from day one while in cdl school.
R. E. West Transportation

• Directions
• Website

• Address: 14 Bluegrass Dr, Ashland City, TN 37015

 

Swift won't pay the academy portion of the training. So I must advise against my own company

 

While I was at school I heard Swift sends students out on the road immediately with a trainer and they are out there for about 8 weeks. Is that accurate?

 

No. You have the ability to tell Swift you need some time to get affairs in order and rest before going out on your mentor's truck, although it is certainly an option for you to get out there immediately. You will be on your mentor's truck until a) you accrue 200 hours of driving; b) you accrue 40 backs, and; c) your mentor feels you are ready to upgrade to solo. This process's length is not set in stone, and can be completed in as few as 4 weeks

 

So before going with your mentor you attend Swift Academy, correct? Like for about 3 weeks?

 

Only if you still need to earn your license. That's the Swift Academy's entire function, is to enable prospective drivers who are unwilling or unable to attend a 3rd party school to earn their license before entering employment with Swift. The Academy typically lasts 3 weeks, yes, but it is possible to be stuck there for a 4th week depending on how much of a pain your state is (I'm looking you and your 48 hour rules, WA). It's worth noting that you get paid a starving salary while you're out on your mentor's truck, but NOT while at the academy, as you are not a Swift employee until after you graduate. It's exceedingly rare not to be hired out of the Academy, but I've heard of it happening. Moral of that story is to watch what you post online, because Swift CAN and DOES perform a background check while you're undergoing schooling

 

@MGE Dawn Thank you for the information!

 

Oh lord....

 

What?

 

It's hard to be humble