Swift Academy

JD: I went thru CDS (Commercial Driving Services) in Lakewood WA. It's just North of McChord AFB. PDTI certified school, Class A, B, Bus, and dump truck training. Testing is on site with 3rd party testers. Day and evening classes available. Lifetime job placement assistance. (side note: 3 years after graduation they still remembered me and helped with job placement) They are well connected and thought of by the major and minor companies in the region. All training trucks are loaded with 20k lbs of concrete so you know what a load feels like. There is a small (2 room) dorm on site as well, or bring a camper like I've seen others do. They work very well with VA and other paying agencies.

Nothing wrong with Swift training, just thought you might like a good option that you can go home on weekends. And, the extra training never hurts.

 

not sure where your are but if you can get your permit before u go there you will be up one step cause the law are diffance in each state an the test are also, swift in san antiono was a good school. i want there good teacher. i ahd to go home cause of my presure but soon as i get it under control i will be back

 

Where does Swift have orientation?

 

That depends on what part of the country you're in. They are nation wide with terminals all over the place. Here in WA, it's Sumner. In OR it's Troudale, etc....

 

They do orientation at all the terminals?

 

Not all, but alot of the larger terminals.

 

though i can't speak for swift lewiston, i did the swift academy in phoenix last summer. i felt they did a fantastic job for a three week course. if you couldn't drive afterword, you didn't pass. you went back and worked on problem areas then tested again.

of course, some folks just "have it", and the three weeks drags on and on, and others don't "have it", and need lots of attention. so, the length of the course is really irrelevant. be that as it may, swift acadamy in phoenix was great. well worth the money.

 

You have to do the paperwork for VA 1st. VA will pay for retraining if you have disability only (30% or higher). Getting a disability rating from VA can take a lot of time (1 yr +), so you might be better of using your GI bill if possible.

 

If you can get a P permit get it! Casino bus drivers that haul people to the casinos can make decent money. Home more. Also tour buses.

Get tank, Hazmat, doubles and triples. Make yourself as marketable as possible.