Swift Academy

Where does Swift do orientations for west coast drivers??

 

"macho52", I had a really old laptop at the time so that is why I had no worries about anyone taking it - it had been given to me but was so outdated it was good for little more than e-mail, but it did work. And you are right, you will not want to take it with you everywhere so that will have to be a personal decision on your part. I can tell you that a few other students brought theirs along also.

Not sure about taking pics - after all, most cell phones have cameras on them nowadays - although you will not be permitted to talk and/or text in class. You will need to check to be sure, but I don't think that there is any proprietary info down there that they would get fussy about.

Four guys to a room sucks - a lot - just remember it's only three weeks.

If they still do day and night shifts for range and road training: I know night shift might sound like it would suck, but I liked it since the roads are quieter in the evening.

YOU WILL BE DRUG TESTED at some point - probably in the first few days (we were) so if you can't pass the test, save yourself the hassle and stay home. We were tested three times: A day or two after arrival, at the DOT physical, and again during orientation. It sounds like you will already have your DOT medical card when you get there, so Swift may include that in your DOT exam in your home state. Just be aware that you will likely have to pass at least one or two more drug screens.

It sounds like a lot has changed since I went there, but I can tell you that the training itself was very good - the instructors were intelligent - and my road test instructor was great! But at the beginning, there will likely be a large number of students in your class, so be prepared for the feeling that you are on your own.

It's like being on a three-week job interview, so treat it as such.

Good Luck!

 

Tony thank you for the info. I won't have a problem with the drug test since I don't do any drugs I don't even hang around them. As for the laptop I'm not sure if I take it I don't know if they have int hook up anyway. And I don't have a card for it. I may just try to find a place to check Email and maybe Send info if not I will have a lot to talk about once I'm done with school. Again sorry about your problem at this time of year and with the economy the way it is.

 

Does this settle the arguement for you...once and for all????

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...news/66168-more-than-1-000-truckers-must.html

Or is that not good enough either ??

 

Hay Danc694u hold on to your panties all I ask for was proof because you know what happens when people assume things. If you read some of my other posts I have, you will see that I have said I will try to help you guys and that I was sorry about the problem you guys have

 

Oh no, I don't have that problem I just feel for the guys that do. As many of them were warned before it happened.

I've read your other post. And I don't really have any issues with your request/post/comments. It just gets frustrating sometimes, when someone ask for things, that have been posted or in the news....months ago.

I also realize that many of our newer members, see the negative post, as a disgruntled/bitter employee. When in truth, many are. But just as many speak the truth.

Please remember one thing. Us old guys remember what it used to be like. And can see that same train coming down the track....now. In the past, companies would require 3, 5 or more years experience, just to consider your application. And the waiting list with a good company, was 6 months or more long.

As the economy continues to turn down, several things will happen. New drivers will flood the market, with a lot of experienced drivers. Companies will hire new drivers at lower wages, to offset cost.

Once the market has reached peak saturation. Companies will look to other areas to trim cost. Hiring students at reduced wages, is first.

The second is insurance. And you reduce insurance cost, by hiring more experienced drivers. Pushing inexperienced drivers out of their potential jobs. Which will lead to inexperienced drivers, seeking jobs that offer even less pay, forcing experienced drivers to accept less pay. And the cycle continues.

Something new that has come about in this market. Companies charging drivers, for anything they can get away with. Basically, stealing from their employees. A prime example of this, Covenant charging drivers for fuel, to idle the truck, regardless of how hazardous the weather is.

 

I agree with you on some of those things but everyone needs to realize is that there is a lot of people trying to do the best they can and the oldtimers need to think back when they were new the oldtimer were saying the samething. I'm 52 and I have never seen this mess that we are in now. It's really crazy out there but we will get over this problem we always do.

 

That is very true

But it's going to be very painful, for a lot of folks.

My biggest issue, isn't with the new guys coming in. It's with the companies taking advantage of them. And the new guys taking it as we're trying to keep them out, when we're actually trying to keep them from making a major mistake.

If you're in debt up to your eyeballs now. How will taking on an additional $5k help, if there is not enough work to pay your current bills?

I can ride this wave a long time. Some of these guys can't afford to ride it a week.

 

Danc69, I'm going to have to disagree with your second Item of reducing cost being to hire more experienced drivers to reduce insurance cost. Here's my take on it....just my $.02 but since the big guys that hire noobs are self insured so they have no premiums advantage for any one driver noob vs exp. Therefore hiring noobs at .26/mi over experience at .32/mi would be more cost effective.

 

You haven't worked in the office end too much. So I'll give you a pass.

Self insured, isn't JUST self insured. They create a trust. Then they insure the account with a private insurer, in the event the benefit payout gets to large to handle. The amount can vary, company discretion.

BTW, they can also include that trust as an asset and borrow against it.

A lot of Company Medical insurance plans, operate the same way. You get a BCBS card. The benefits come out of the trust first, also a company asset.

Hard to swallow? Consider the guy down the street, with a $15 a week plan. With the same benefits your $100 a week plan has