Comments By Don R.

[Swift] won't take people for company sponsored training if a NY resident. You must have your CDL A already.

Don, I'm finishing up Swift Academy in Memphis. Did you ask the recruiter if Swift will cover tuition at a Driving School? Many companies will refund your tuition when you get hired.

Hi Errol

Yes, thank you for bringing that up. I forgot to mention that Swift will reimburse you for your training, but Im thinking she said that it was up to 5000$. That's why I wasn't discouraged. She did mention however that they very much prefer the school that trains you uses the 53' trailers as well . Apparently there are some schools that maybe only use the "pup" trailers? How is training there? Is it what you hoped? what will you be driving do you know? Or have they told you? Don

For anyone from NY who is looking at Swift. I found out today speaking with one of their recruiters that they don't take people for company sponsored training if a NY resident. You must have your CDL A already. It was news to me. But obviously will hire you once licensed. Anyway, it wasn't discouraging but just an avenue shut down till I get the license. FYI Don

For anyone from NY who is looking at Swift. I found out today speaking with one of their recruiters that they don't take people for company sponsored training if a NY resident. You must have your CDL A already. It was news to me. But obviously will hire you once licensed. Anyway, it wasn't discouraging but just an avenue shut down till I get the license. FYI Don

Just a message to the Swift driver I met at the local truck stop in my area last night. In NY . The only one btween Albany and Canada on I87 Ext 16. Thanks for your input to the questions I asked and the questions you posed to me during dinner. You were very nice and professional . Folks , As you may or may not know I have been on here for about a month now, reading and learning from everyones contributions. I have been considering this as my second career having been in a different career and position having been eliminated at the end of Dec. The driver from Swift was a regional driver from Ohio. He spoke highly of the company, its training and helped me out a lot. I hadn't considered Swift too much but he was pretty convincing. He has been driving for them for 8 yrs and loves it. Im fortunate that I have this big truck stop in my back yard to watch and talk to those that are willing to give up 10 mins of their time. Thanks Don

Don I drive for WEL Companies out of DePere, WI. Been with this company my whole career.

Thanks RedGator.

Don

I've thought about becoming a trucker for a long time. I found this website while researching the career about a year ago, but I didn't decide until the last few weeks to finally take a step forward. Since I made the decision, everything has moved very quickly and very smoothly so far. I contacted a few company sponsored driver training schools and chose to go with Roehl Transport. I had my DOT physical, filled out my paperwork, and yesterday I took and passed my permit test. I'm very excited and this site has been a very helpful resource as well as study tool. Thank you all so much!

Class starts on Monday, Jan. 5th in Appleton, WI. I was in Black River Falls, WI recently with my boyfriend to visit some of his family, so it's kind of fun to be going right back to the same area. He's been very supportive of my decision and he's really proud to declare to everyone we know that pretty soon he will be dating a trucker. I plan to update this journal to let you know how everything goes with the schooling and, hopefully, how things go after with this company. I'm planning on joining Roehl's 7/7 fleet. I know that means less pay, but that shouldn't be a problem. I was only making 14K a year with my minimum wage job, so if I'm making that or better with Roehl, I can get by just fine. I have high hopes for this new chapter in my life and I can't wait to get started!

Congrats to you!! I too have been considering this new career for sometime, studying High Road and other material I have looked at Roehl as well but haven't called their recruiter yet. Good luck to you and hope to hear your progress .

Don

As usual Old School nailed it. And I would have to agree. Its worth it for me. I love this job. I dont want to go regional nor local. I hate when I have to do LTL loads. There is nothing to me like the open road under your tires rolling down the highway miles from where you started and miles from where your going, at least for me. I have 3 kids and im also a woman. This life isnt for everybody. Not even close. You have to decide that for yourself but guess what you never know until you try because I never would have imagined id be doing this. And yes at first It scared the crap out of me. Now ive been to 46 states, driven across all of the most talked about mt passes Donner, Cabbage, Veil (in the snow with chains on) Raton in dense fog, Mt Eagle, Snoqualmie, 4th of July, lookout. Well you get the hint right? Plus im a trainer now too on my 6th student. 2 1/2 yrs in and I couldnt see leaving.

Hi RedGator,

Who are you driving for? I like that you've been going on this 2.5 yrs and are training others. That's great. An inspiration for us wannabes.. Don

Hey 6, I know what you mean about the night work. I can tell you this. I as a former prof pilot would do days into nights , then switch during a week over to night shift to days. Talk about tired? Go from starting your days at 0500, getting home around 1930-2000 and do over for a few days then swap that to nights. Exhausting. Not nearly the rest people need. I always wished for either all days or all nights. I'll take all nights anyday over that flip flop crap! You just have to find that "happy" place and deal with the hand dealt I suppose. Drive safe and thx for the PM time. Im sure I'll be in touch .... Don

I spoke with a recruiter with NTTS today and was sent a packet on the school. They have 7 week and 10 week course as well as a weekend only for like 20 some weeks. I am looking at the 7 weeks class. Of course this is just one of many avenues that Im looking at. Cost for this school, State Certified, Nationally Accredited , is for the 7 wks $8375. M-F, no weekends. 97% graduate rate. With high job placement as well. Just FYI.

Don

Information, relating to Conway. Has anyone here worked for or currently working for them? Thanks guys/gals

Don