Comments By James P.

How long is the academy?

You need 160 hours of instruction and a certain amount of drive time to take the exam. The first 40 hour week can be done over zoom. Then you have to physically go to the academy for the next 40 hr week of classroom instruction. Then you are on the range backing, driving and practicing pretrip for 80 hrs/2 weeks. After that, they will schedule your exam. How soon it will be depends on the examiners, how many people are in your class, and how many people from the last classes failed and need to re test. In the meantime you can continue to go the academy to practice. You have 3 chances to test to pass the pretrip and backing. If you do but fail the driving, they will give you a 4th chance to pass it. Once you pass, it takes 1 business day for them to have you fill out paperwork etc before you can go back home. So It could be anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks

I've heard that trucking school in Calhoun is not too good. Just FYI.

Which part of Louisiana? I live in the about 30 minutes from Shreveport

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

I live near West Monroe

I heard the same. I'm at Swift's academy in Memphis right now, hopefully will pass the test to get my full cdl-a within the next week.

Which part of Louisiana? I live in the about 30 minutes from Shreveport

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

I live near West Monroe

Thanks everyone for the input. I live in Louisiana. I was planning on just doing OTR dryvan for a while, and then trying to get a home weekly account in Florida if the opportunity presents itself.

Hi, I have been at Swift's driving academy for the past month and am about to take the exam to get my cdl-a. I am 25 and have no wife or kids. I came to this forum to ask what Swift position/account (that a newbie could get) has the best job security, as it appears that we will go into an economic downturn after midterm elections, and I would rather work less hours/miles than get laid off and draw unemployment. Or is what I am asking for not realistic, and will I get pushed out by a more senior driver in the event of layoffs no matter which account it is? Thanks for your time