Well, I posted on the werner board to get as much information as I could about the company and would like to do the same here: 1. Does anyone have pictures of inside their truck? "####pit,sleeper and all" to get a taste of the living conditions of the standard swift truck. 2. how is the training academy? 3. does this company have the pet and rider benefits? 4. any do's, dont's, tips, and more would be appreciated 5. Anyone reccomend a trainer? send me info via private or state the individual here! thank you all!
I suggest you use the search feature on the forum as there are a number of threads that discuss the different academies, the various tractors Swift uses and the various experiences drivers have had with Swift. There are several threads that do a day to day accounting of a driver at a Swift academy. On my blog is a brief report of the last of my time at Swift Academy in PHX and there is an old thread that discusses my time at the academy. I had a wonderful experience. Swift no longer allows pets in company trucks unless they're "grandfathered" in. Riders 12 and over are allowed. I really suggest you read all the Swift threads and then ask specific questions that'll help you the most. Best wishes on your research and if I can be of any more help please let me know.
texas-nana you been a help so far! One thing I forgot to ask is once you are issued a truck, does it come with cb, refridgerator, tv? and is power converters allowed?
CB's Reefers TV's etc... Buy your own. I heard a rumor that the Phonix terminal has some in a store to purchase, but I cannot confirm. The shop will help you install. Invertors: None wired. If you put your own in, the shop will confiscate it when they find it and you may lose your job. Plug in types (lighter port)are ok and will easily handle laptops, etc. Just don't try to plug in a microwave... Rigs: Typically Volvos and Freightliners. Out west here, they are all Condo cabs. Volvos are nice interior, roomy, quiet and smooth riding. Bad part: Wabasco heaters can keep you warm, but don't cool the truck in the summer. The Freightliners are ok interiors, rougher riding and noisier, however they have Opti-Idle systems. You set the temp in the bunk and the truck starts and stops to maintain it. There are also some Kenworths, but you need embarassing pictures of your DM or such to get one as a Company driver. Overall, I prefer the Freightliners for reliablity but THAT IS JUST MY OPINION!!! (That's so this doesn't degenerate into a "my trucks better than yours")
hey Palazon? My truck is better than yours. Just kidding LOL We just got assigned our third truck......2009 international prostar skyride. We love this thing. Turns wonderfully, smooth ride, huge amount of space compared to the volvo we used for the last 5 months, wide bunks, great power, the range of vision with these headlights is so much better than the volvo. I am in love with my truck. *nods* In the phx terminal you see 'em all. And on our dedicated fleet out of cas grande you see mainly the volvos but we're getting more of the internationals. As for it coming with coolers, tv etc. LOL You get a truck with tires. Buy a coleman 12 volt cooler at wal-mart for about $100. And don't even let the shop see a microwave, some fleets are extremely harsh on that and will fire you. Frankly just get a roadpro lunch box cooker and forget the microwave. They cost about $25 and you get them at any pilot.
Just contacted a swift recruiter and she said you have to be 23+ years old to work attend school as of a few months ago. very dissapointed and this kinda puts me on the spot unless I find another company with cdl training.
Sorry to hear that. Don't forget to contact the local driving schools and ask about tuiton assistance, state/federal training programs. It's better if you DO NOT owe your training to a company like Swift or Werner, etc. Make sure to check into local limo companies, dump trucks, Class B (box trucks), heck even garbage companies. Every industry in the world is supported by some type of trucking, and all give you some experience. Best of luck to you.
20 turning 21 this feburary! was really excited to turn 21 to work with swift after I discovered the company and how much of a professional background it had.. but when the recruiter told me the news, I kinda broke down thats okay though maybe once my cdl school recruiter and I talk maybe I can give werner a try or if he thinks another company might be better w/e I just want my foot in the door to the transportation business so I can start building my finacial future..
I recently heard from "Rumor Control" that Swift is not currently hiring graduates from outside schools. Only hiring out of their own training school. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? .................. Jim
