Swift Academy Repayment?

I have no idea how those things specifically and legally are addressed in the training loan contract. It is NOT an employment contract. You do not endunture yourself with the training contract. The contract is about repayment for your training. One manner to satisfy that contract is working for Swift for a year.
To the best of my knowledge, Swift has pretty much always been short of drivers. That's why they invested in the training program they provide to begin with.
I've only been with Swift since 2019. I think freight has been plush since then, so I don't know personally how they handle such when freight is tighter. But, in numerous conversations I've had with my terminal manager about this, Swift is in a better position than most to keep drivers busy during tight times. They have been in business a long time and the company is pretty smart and not short sighted about such things. So, chances are very slim, as I understand it, that drivers will be let go because of lack of freight. We have lots of contracts. When freight is tighter, Swift simply doesn't compete as much on the spot market. The contracts alone keep the company in the black.

Anyway, I've said alot. If you are hesitant about signing the training contract and going with Swift, do something different. My experience and observation is that all your concerns you've mentioned don't exist in reality. Perhaps they could be, but I've no experience or observation of those kinds of things. No one can guarentee you of anything. I can only share my experiences and observations. Those clearly seem to me to be that your concerns are unfounded. But, do what you think best for you. If the contract seems to much of a risk, then don't. But, I can't give any experience or observation that your concerns exist in reality with Swift. Never seen them do any of those things.

 

WIOA is a govt grant given to students seeking trade school education, like CDL. It is administered through your state's unemployment office.
Half of the trucking companies that hire newbies offer Tuition Reimbursement for new drivers in addition to paying wages.
CDL schools have companies that will loan you money for school. You are no limited to only working for the biggest trucking companies or ones that have their own CDL school.

IMO, the best way to enter the industry is to FIRST find the company that matches what you need and want as an employee. THEN decide which method is the best to get your CDL so you can work for that company. Most newbies seem to sign a 1 year contract and only at the last moment, on their way to the Greyhound bus station start asking what kind of company that are going to work for. I complement you for asking questions before you sign a contract.

 

That’s the kind of honest and thoughtful answer I was looking for. If I end up needing to go through Swift Academy, I’m going to feel a lot better about now. Thanks!

 

Thanks tscottme. I’ve found the Trucker community to be very helpful and encouraging and full of information. Cant wait to become one myself now!

 

@ayaytc , IMO, first research what kind of trucking you want to do,
Do you want haul dry van, Reefer, Flatbed or Tanker?

each one is a different industry in itself,

there are lot of pros and cons in all of these different trailer hauling.

once you decide the trailer than based on that look for trucking companies.

 

I don’t know that most people know what kind of trucking they want to do. I’ve done flat bed, food service , and now tanker hazmat. Liked parts of all of them. Would go back to flat bed. To old now for food service. Hauled live turkeys for four months. I’d have to be desperate to do that again.

 

@ayaytc, you don't say what city/state you live in....but here's another idea (think "outside the box"?).....

Why pay for a CDL--when...if you start out with the right company...they will pay YOU a salary while you get your CDL from them. They will also cover your room & board while you do all this. When you're done--you have a job (with them) waiting for you.

Especially f you don't have ready access to a local comm college or tech school to get a CDL--the above option would seem to be a "no brainer".

There was another recent thread here on the Forum--that discussed this same idea, with example companies.

Can someone else find it, maybe?

--Lual

 

ayaytc,

Do NOT Fret The Little Stuff.
I Never Personally Drove For Any LARGE Carrier Yet I Had Fun, Like MANY Drivers HAVE & Will, With Trucking Company Acronyms.
In Your Case, Maybe SWIFT Might Stand For
"Sure Wish I Followed Through".

The ONLY ONE That Can Hurt Your Future (apart From A Tsunami or Runaway Train) Is YOU!!

 

R.E. West Transportation
Roehl Transport
Western Dairy Transport

 

Bingo! Per-fect!!!

Thnx, Chinatown!

--Lual