Like my post under Headed's thread stated, I'd like to hear from some recent (last couple months) grad's from Swift's Academy (not sure which location I'll go to but assuming Richmond (if they have one) because its the closest hub) about how long it took for you to get a mentor/trainer once you left the training/orientation.

Today is the day I'll hear back for sure (hopefully LOL) that I got in.

-Krzysztof

 

i just started working for swift and they are a joke. the truck they gave me broke down in nevada and i was down for 6 days. swift gave me a hard time about getting a hotel and even breakdown pay. i've only been on my own for two weeks and already looking for a new job. i figured out you are just a driver code over at swift. me and my driver manager never even had a real talk. she just handed me keys to a truck and asked "are you ready to go".....i should have known something was wrong then

 

OUCH!!!!! ops:
Better get out if you still can Krzysztof I've been doing research and Swift was not even close to being considered, after all I'd read.

 

I don't know your financial situation Krzysztof, but you're better off going to a community college to get your CDL. I'm sure that you've read that many times before in many other threads as well. Get a grant if you can, many states and learning institutions offer them. In the meantime, go to you local DMV, grab a study guide, and study the General Knowledge, Combination, and Air Brakes sections. When you're pretty confident or not so confident, take the practice test on the web (the thread with the links to them is here somewhere), and when you've mastered them it's time to take the test down at the DMV to get your permit. By that time, you should be on your way to a decent school with your permit in hand. BOL to you!

 

Think it may be too late. I believe I read on another thread that he mentioned he was leaving for training his week. Guess all we can do now is wish him the best of luck.

 

SWIFT is the worst training company in the industry. I was supposed to be at the academy for three weeks, but it turned into five because they gave my testing dates to male drivers (of whome had failed the test the first time) and then they waited for another week to put me in with my trainer who quit the first day out and left me sitting to find my own way back to the terminal. My second OTR trainer didn't bathe for 11 days and we only hit 3K in three weeks. My third trainer was a dedicated driver and taught me nothing about what to do OTR.

SWIFT is a joke, they hire anyone that breathes (and I think a couple that don't) and couldn't care less if you live or die. If you have a choice DON't GO WITH SWIFT, and if you must use a company based training accademy, my choice would be Schneider.

My first 4 weeks out I had two trucks, they traded in my first truck 9didn't run) for a truck that was sitting on the lot because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. My third truck had 19K on it and had already been in three accidents. The fuel sensor was out, but since it was not DOT finable, they wouldn't fix it. Same with my heat, it was during the winter and at one time it was 42 degrees in my cab, but since it was not DOT finable... and if I idled the truck to stay warm, I got in trouble.

Their directions suck, and have been known to send trucks under 12 foot underpasses...you MUST watch or they will do it often.

Swift has 17K trucks with their logo on it, on the road at any one time, so they have no idea exactly what you are doing, and don't care unless you are messing up, it is okay for them to mess up though.

I could go on and on, but suffice to say, I think you should stay as far away from SWIFT at possible.

 

Swift wouldn't be my first choice for a number of reasons, but in all fairness, I have met drivers that are happy to drive for them. As far as there training goes... I've heard far more "war" stories than anything... they'd be my very last choice on the list, for getting a CDL.

I just got a revised pay sheet last night from one of their (happy) drivers, but don't have it handy. The driver seemed quite happy with them (and the new pay bumps) , however, he's only been with them for a couple of months. Went through CDL training at a better school, and went to work for Swift afterwards. I do wonder how long that will last. 8) The Volvo he was driving is nice... I guess.

The latest war story I heard first hand (from a guy who recently spent 9 days at the Kansas City facility) made me extremely glad I didn't have to choose them, in order to get a CDL and a job. 17 students (almost half disappeared for one reason or another- over 30 started), one trainer, students drinking (in the rooms) and bringing lot lizards back to the motel... sounded bad from start to finish of his story.

 

Well I have been with swift with school and all about 11 months. And just about any job that pays HHG miles they all are about the same out here I have talked to alot of drivers at various company's to get there outlook and it all wraps up to the same.

They are not that bad, Just like any company you get a bad dispatcher your life is going to be he!! Me I have a good dispatcher and get plenty of miles and I get home whenever I want. As for hitting an underpass, I see that as poor planning. Just about every company routes you as a car would drive. So you need to plan and be aware of that. For one look in your atlas and make sure of clearances in the areas you are running. If you see an underpass and unaware stop. Ask other drivers on the CB call the highway patrol which I have done in NY one time on some back road. Trucks and equipment is something your DM mainly can control if you have a bad DM then you are going to have a bad time. And you can get a new DM whenever you want. Even switch to a completely different terminal to run out of.

Yeah the pay probably isn't the best in the world, but to start out I'm pretty happy with what I make. I normally don't stop I just got home for the holiday. Had a run from Seattle WA with 3 stops one in Indy, the second in Nashville and the third in Atlanta where I am now. So yeah miles are not bad at all. As for maintenance problems and Idling I have never had a problem if it is to cold or to hot my truck don't shut off, and I have never had anyone say anything to me.

Well I'm done Good luck with whoever you choose. :wink: