Wife & I want to drive team. Where do we start?

The OP lives (showing on info stats) Greer...Swift has a terminal (decent one compared to others w/Swift)...

Swift offers basic academy (Milliston, TN...Memphis) and a decent way for a husband/wife to get started. The most common scenario with this is the husband attends the academy, then goes out with a Mentor for the 6 weeks. At about the mid point of the training (week 3) wife enters academy, passes, then hubby completes his training and goes to attend the Mentor class (again Memphis terminal) and becomes the wife's Mentor.

In the past, hubby has the responsibility for the cost of the academy, through the commitment of driving for Swift 1 year, or to get full repayment of school cost 2 years. With the agreement that hubby/wife agree to team, wife has no cost for academy attendance. This was a couple years back, but call the recruiters at Swift and get the real, complete, low down of the plan.

You are going to hear a lot of bad about Swift and their training along with many other horror stories....that will come with whoever you choose to start with....do yourself a favor and check it out straight from the horses mouth...Swift recruiting. Also go to any of the Swift threads and ask a current Swift driver...many drivers here on TTR will be glad to offer their opinion of the program. Financially, this is a good way to go.

 

No I am not a Swift recruiter...I drive for DHE on the West Coast...in fact I actually have a decent little grudge against a few of the people at Swift. All in all, Swift was good with me for almost 12 years...they are a decent way to start...once you get your foot in the door, and more knowledge about this industry and how it is ever changing...you can make your own choices to move or stay....just get the foot in the door...and good luck to both of you!

 

how may one go about finding a companys csa score?

 

Google is your friend.

CSA 2010

 

The best option is expediting . FedEx Custom Critical will put you to work as a team in a straight truck right out of school if you go to a preapproved school. The sleepers are fully equipped including microwave and refrigerator . Some campgrounds accept them . Some drivers park in hospital parking lots and eat in the cafeterias .
Here's a blog by a successful expedite team . http://www.successfulexpediters.com/madsen/madsen_blog.htm

 

I would do as most of these have said...get your license first and then bring the wife on board and train her yourself. Being a woman, trust me you do NOT want your wife training in a truck with someone else! Neither male or female trainer! I started in this industry over 20 years ago and boy how things have changed!!! I know at FedEx Custom Critical, once you have 6 months experience, your wife can go take her CDL test (no driving school necessary), get her license and jump in the truck the day she obtains her CDL. They have owners whom look for drivers everyday. Owners at FDCC normally pay 45% or .50 com split. I wouldn't recommend buying a truck and going there but just starting out, they are one of your better companies that have an excellent safety rating and allow co drivers to come on board day one of receiving CDL. Rather than being locked into Swift or someone like that.

On the subject of being careful with your decisions as far as living in a closet with your spouse? I have drove with husband 1 and 2, both were amazing experiences! I have been running with my current husband for over 3 years and we have yet to get into a single argument! I LOVE being with my hubby 24/7!!! But there was a time I ran with an ex boyfriend and oh my word, how I wished many times that I could just get out of truck and walk home!!! HaHa. It just depends on how strong your relationship is and truly how well you know one another as well as how you both do without having your own personal space.
Best of luck to you both!!!