Starting Swift Training academy 11/16

I was just burned out on it. It is not really something that I planned on staying with, as I started working in the field at 19yoa. I am wishing that I got out of that career much sooner, but it is better late than never. Dodging bullets for 50k is not my idea of fun. Now that I am sitting on an MBA, I figure that I will give the freight industry a try and see if I can build a business in this. If not, then, I cannot say that I did not try. I think it will work out well though.

 

Good Luck with your venture.

 

Thanks RACEFAN. Now that my vehicle is broken down, I have to take a greyhound and stay at the hotel they have there. That will be an extra 23.60 a week coming out of my check on top of the 75 already coming out for training. Does anyone know if it is possible to go ahead and pay the 500 up front so I have nothing coming out of the check?

 

You will be signing contracts the first couple of days if you want to go through their training, these contracts have to do with re-paying the 3900 bucks..., unless you plan on writing them a check... I just finished their three week program and I had good and bad days... Some of the instructors are O.K. and some are not but I will keep my mouth shut because I have nothing to compare them to... I took my driving test last Saturday with a DOT trainer from a different school, I passed so the Swift acadamy must have done something right..., the driving test is not easy and a lot of students are back for a fourth week of training because they either fail their road test or the cannot back up a truck. Good luck, bring your rain gear because you will spend a lot of time outside, rain or shine...

 

If you have the cash, you should be allowed to pay... I live here so I didn't have to stay in the hotel. As for paying back the 3900, they actually don't take 75 bucks a week. This is how it works: You pay back the 3900 over 12-13 months, Swift gives you back the 3900 if you stay with them for 2 years but they start paying you back as soon as you start paying them back... Seems hard to understand their reasoning but in all actuality, they will only be taking around 37.50 a week out of your pay for the first 12-13 months, if you stay past that, you will get an additional 37.50 per week until they have paid you back the entire 3900... Make sense...?

 

Thanks, I think I understand it. The academy now is 13 days then 5 days at your home domicile with a trainer to take the skills test. I did hear that if you really need it they will give you an extra week for free. Does that seem like a reasonable amount of time to actually learn to drive? I really need to make this work, as I have been out of work for 7 months and my MBA has not helped obtain any other employment.

Edit: Do you know how long it will be before you get in with a mentor?

 

If you are out of work can't you get a WIA grant to pay for a school. I did that and they paid for a 160 hour course to get my cdl.

 

I tried, but they would not send me since I already went through a tech school for Law Enforcement.

 

first sentence says it all. THEN WHY GO THERE??? ive never understood this mentality w/in our industry. i mean cmon you could get killed out here. think about it. why farm yourself out to the cheapest bidder??

 

Do not worry, I will not be going there. I was sent home because my Class E was going to expire soon "after class". So, they told me if I was to be put on academic probation, it would be expired and I could not drive. However, I am able to renew online, but they would not take it. I am beginning to think that they cut as many as they can because they just do not have the freight for all the drivers. This is the second time up there and the second time I was sent home. First reason was because my name "was not on the list." I am pressuring WIA people into helping me as I am flat broke now, after 2 trips to Memphis, and my family (what is left of them) is worthless and wont lend me a dime. I am going to go to the CDL mill Roadmasters. I do hear good things about them as far as their training goes, and it leaves my options open. If not there Lake City Community College offers a program, but it is the same cost, and I am not sure they are very good. Either way, all I want is the CDL A. Once I get that, I will just deliver beer until I can get on with a company that I will enjoy. I am willing to move anywhere in the US, and yes that includes Alaska. This is what I want to do, and nothing is going to stop me. Pay is good, doing what you love (driving) is better--in my opinion anyways. BTW. Swift stuck me at the bus terminal in Memphis for 13.5 hours before I could catch a bus home, instead of dropping me off after clas. Guess they wanted to let me see the sights, who knows? As far as Swift, I am done. Mod, you can delete this post as there will be no reviews.