Getting started with Swift

[Whammo]

I have been studying the PA drivers manual and the posts on this board for over a week now. On impulse I sent in an online application to Swift.

Within less than an hour I was called by a recruiter. It felt like more of a high pressure sales call than a conversation. I was rattled off a bunch of facts about the program:

$3,900 for the program, Need SS card, certified birth certificate and $150 money order.

23 days schooling, 6 weeks OTR, paid $450 the first four then $500 the final two. Then I would be getting 26 cents per mile.

I told the person that there are a lot of schools in PA, why would I go to the Swift school? Would they guarantee me a job? She said yes.

She didn't mention anything about a repayment plan, or pay raises.

Thoughts? Does 26 cents a mile seem reasonable for a newbie driver?

[MADLUX]

go somewhere else, make them your last option if you can.

[RottsATruckin]

Try the "search" feature at the top of this page, you'll find everything you ever wanted (needed) to know about Swift.
Take time and research-research-research before committing to a company.
There are several good companies that have their own schools or offer tuition reimbursement plans for approved schools.

[dle]

If you can, get your training elsewhere. With that you have options as to who you go with.

[HOTROD29335]

RUN dont walk away from that deal .26 cpm thats like paying swift to drive their truck

also like dle said if you can get your training elsewhere

[Soladad]

Please don't lower yourself to .26 starting out. Just like cheap freight, new drivers need to make sure that they don't continue to feed these cheap rates just to learn how to drive. Better to go with a non-company school and have your options open and better starting pay. Once you get your CDL then you can sign on with several companies. Check out the non-company schools in your state. Talk with other drivers in your area about training schools or do your search on the web.

[Whammo]

I should make it clear it is 26 cents to start, 31 after 6 mo and 33 after a year.

[Jimbpard]

Swift sucks....Take the hint.

[Uturn2001]

If I recall Swift's school program what happens is that you put $150 down. Then after you start getting a paycheck, which does not happen until after school, you will have so much deducted from your check for 1 year to pay off the "loan", which is exactly what it is. If you stay into your 2nd year of driving Swift will "reimburse" you for your loan payments so after 2 years you essentially went to school for free.

If you quit before your first year is up you will owe for the school. If you leave and come back that eliminates any tuition reimbursement.


During school I believe Swift furnishes housing, however food is on you.

IMHO if you can come up with the funds to attend a private CDL school you are better off. If you can find and attend one that is PTDI certified you are ahead of the game come graduation. Regardless though, any school you go through should be at least 160 hours, which is what the better starter companies require.

[Double R]

She didn't mention anything about a repayment plan

She should read Swift's website:

Swift will reimburse you for the total cost of the course over the period of 26 consecutive months of employment with Swift. There is a non-refundable sitting fee of $150 due on your first day of class.

Quoted from here

Does 26 cents a mile seem reasonable for a newbie driver?

Swift pays a sliding pay scale.
Here is the pay rates

[Double R]

If I recall Swift's school program what happens is that you put $150 down. Then after you start getting a paycheck, which does not happen until after school, you will have so much deducted from your check for 1 year to pay off the "loan", which is exactly what it is. If you stay into your 2nd year of driving Swift will "reimburse" you for your loan payments so after 2 years you essentially went to school for free.

Really? Might want to do a little research on that. This is right from Swift's website:

Swift will reimburse you for the total cost of the course over the period of 26 consecutive months of employment with Swift.

Says nothing about year one then year two. Seems that one has to pay the $3,900 up front and then Swift will repay it after two years.
And if you want the URL, just see my post up above :wink:

[druid2874]

1st that sliding pay scale is just loads under 300 miles you get paid more for less miles. And you hardly do loads under 300 miles 2nd you go to swift school they pay for your lodging and they give you some money for food every week ( at lest that’s what they did when I went thru school) on the reimbursement of school they take out 167ish or what ever it is and on the same check they give you back 167ish so its a wash they do that for 2 years and if you quit in that 2 years you have to pay the remainder of what’s owed . Why they do it that way don’t ask me.
Been with them going on 4 years not that bad of a company I am on dedicated right now I get home Saturday and Sunday every week and get to stay at the house at night depending on the run 2 to 3 times a week and I get around 2400 to 2800ish miles a week.

but what I love the best is people just posting about swift that have never worked there or worked there 10 years ago

[Whammo]

I expected some people would be critical of Swift. As companies that do training go they seem to be about par for course. Feel free to mention any company training programs that may be better.

I do think it is wise to get the training on my own if possible. My problem is/was finding a PTDI certified school near me and grants since I am low on dough.

I found this Northampton Community College that is offering PTDI certified Transportation Technology training, anyone have experience with them? I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks for all the constructive advice, I appreciate it

[Uturn2001]

Double R, I was reciting what others who have recently went through Swift's school have said on how they actually do it.

You know as well as I do that these companies never tell the whole story until they have you in orientation and you have already signed on the bottom line.

[RottsATruckin]

I expected some people would be critical of Swift. As companies that do training go they seem to be about par for course. Feel free to mention any company training programs that may be better.

I’m probably one of the most lenient when it comes to Swift, most of their drivers are new, starry eyed and excited that somebody gave them a job (then reality sinks in) but when the vast majority of drivers say “stay away” you should seriously think about what they’re saying.
I don’t need to work for a company to know there are better ones out there. Do your research, both online like you’re doing now and in person, go talk to some drivers, are they happy, was the training good, (most companies will not accept Swifts training as experience, if you quit prior to 1 year you may need to re-train through a company/PTDI school) how are they treated, home time, miles per week, gross pay etc.

Druid is the second driver I’ve heard of who is happy with that company, he’s the first I've heard of to have over 2 years and obviously has a good dedicated run that includes decent miles and home time, a rarity for sure, with any company. (Heck, if Swift offered me a gig like that it might be worth all the disrespect I’d get at the truck stops)
Try this company www.wksh.com one of the better companies, vans/flats, 30 day training or a 10 day orientation for school grads, terminals nationwide, good equipment, home time, miles.

[Whammo]

Thanks for the info, I will check out Watkins. I was leery about Swift the moment I got that call from the recruiter.

I have called the Northampton Community College and they still have some grant money left over that I should qualify for. They are PTDI certified and I will be getting the ball rolling with them soon.

I have done a lot of research, and I see that there are companies that cater to every different driving need. For instance if home time is a priority there are companies that have 20/10 14/7 and even 14/14 programs. Or if money is your #1 priority there's plenty of people that will pay.

One of the things that is strong for Swift is the sheer amount of terminals they have with showers and other amenities. I know having a safe place to park is important to me.

Personally, I find home time important, and affordable health insurance. I am in PA right now but want to have a base in the southwest. I can always crash with my parents here when I come east.

[Double R]

1st that sliding pay scale is just loads under 300 miles you get paid more for less miles. And you hardly do loads under 300 miles 2nd you go to swift school they pay for your lodging and they give you some money for food every week ( at lest that’s what they did when I went thru school) on the reimbursement of school they take out 167ish or what ever it is and on the same check they give you back 167ish so its a wash they do that for 2 years and if you quit in that 2 years you have to pay the remainder of what’s owed . Why they do it that way don’t ask me.
Been with them going on 4 years not that bad of a company I am on dedicated right now I get home Saturday and Sunday every week and get to stay at the house at night depending on the run 2 to 3 times a week and I get around 2400 to 2800ish miles a week.

but what I love the best is people just posting about swift that have never worked there or worked there 10 years ago

The only way to get a correct answer is to ask someone who WORKS for the company.
Good post by the way.

[bigtimba]

. . happy Swift Drivers.

Swift training is a good deal. If Swift doesn't work out for you, you leave with a CDL and pay what you owe from another companies paycheck. If Swift does work out for you, you have everything and you pay nothing. If driving isn't for you . . well . . you pay and you learned.

Swift has an excellent fleet, a huge customer base and they run virtually all North American lanes. You can be happy with what you drive, you can expect a lot of miles and you will see places you never imagined to exist.

As for us three happy Swift Drivers? I can't recall seeing a post from a current Swift Driver who was unhappy. You'll see a lot of posts from people who washed out for one reason or another as you will see many of the same from any of the other big companies. Turnover is very high in this business and it is at Swift. Driving isn't for everyone.

If you'd like to give Swift a shot, call the closest terminal and ask to speak with a recruiter. If, by chance, you get the original tell him or her that they got off on the wrong foot and that you expect more. Or, ask for another one.

Swift drivers are not disrespected at truck stops. Just as there are faceless cowards here who slam Swift anonymously, there are other faceless cowards who slam Swift on the cb, particularly at truck stops. Never has one of them had the courage to confront me face to face to discuss any concerns they have with me or the company.

Feel free to post or pm me any other questions you have and I'll be glad to help. I don't get online every night and it may be a day or 3 before I reply but you'll get a straight answer.

[Syncrosonix]

Swift drivers are not disrespected at truck stops. Just as there are faceless cowards here who slam Swift anonymously, there are other faceless cowards who slam Swift on the cb, particularly at truck stops. Never has one of them had the courage to confront me face to face to discuss any concerns they have with me or the company.

i am also a very happy and content. i live on my own in scottsdale, arizona and drive for swift. obviously something is working quite well. anyone who has been to, through, and in scottsdale knows it's far from being a cheap place to live. oh, and i can bring the bobtail home without any problems from the neighbors and police. 8)

as for the disrespect, i have only been disrespected by faceless yellow bastards over the cb. it's a rare case, though. just like in your case, neither of which had the balls to step outside of their truck and say all that garbage to my face. i'll tell you what, it's incredibly awesome figuring out which truck the ****-talker is in and listening to the sudden silence. most of the time, i am approached by drivers who are curious about the miles i do within this time of the year and during the busy season, or any lame ass rumors going around, and they basically want to hear it from an actual swift driver rather than joe blow idiot on channel 19, 14, or whatever.

[RottsATruckin]

...any lame ass rumors going around, and they basically want to hear it from an actual swift driver rather than joe blow idiot on channel 19, 14, or whatever.[/quote]

So what did (or didn't) happen with Swift recently? I've heard rumors about them losing Wal-Mart, cutting staff by 30% etc. it also seems like I'm seeing fewer Swift trucks on the road.