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Whammo
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject: Getting started with Swift |
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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? |
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MADLUX
Joined: 05 Jun 2005
Posts: 566
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| go somewhere else, make them your last option if you can. |
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RottsATruckin
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 178
Location: Traer IA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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dle
Joined: 03 Jan 2005
Posts: 734
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| If you can, get your training elsewhere. With that you have options as to who you go with. |
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HOTROD29335
Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 150
Location: south carolina
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Soladad
Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 380
Location: Garland, Texas
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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Whammo
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I should make it clear it is 26 cents to start, 31 after 6 mo and 33 after a year. |
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Jimbpard
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 562
Location: Irwin. PA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Swift sucks....Take the hint. |
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Uturn2001
Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 4668
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Double R
Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Posts: 969
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: She didn't mention anything about a repayment plan
She should read Swift's website:
Quote: 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
Quote: Does 26 cents a mile seem reasonable for a newbie driver?
Swift pays a sliding pay scale.
Here is the pay rates |
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Double R
Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Posts: 969
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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Uturn2001 wrote: 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:
Quote: 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: |
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druid2874
Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 42
Location: Tacoma, WA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Whammo
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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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 ;) |
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Uturn2001
Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 4668
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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RottsATruckin
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 178
Location: Traer IA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:06 am Post subject: |
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Whammo wrote: 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. |
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