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?

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Swift sucks....Take the hint.

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.

She should read Swift's website:
Quoted from here
Swift pays a sliding pay scale.
Here is the pay rates