Comments By Tazzy

Anybody out here that just completed orientation and even driving with their mentor that can tell me what exactly to expect?

I wonder if he could (not asking if it's possible, but more of if he knows how and is he willing to) make something where you can view the facts of all the companies on 1 page then sort or filter the listings by criteria. sort of like when you shop online you can say I only want to see things that have this feature or have this many stars review avg or have a price no higher than this. In this case it would be things like offers pet policy, passenger policy, starting pay, cdl training free with (or without) contract, etc. I think that would be very very helpful for those trying to decide on their company choices. wouldn't have to look at each company on an individual basis and you could compare them side by side.

That would certainly cut down the time one would have to spend researching. I would pay a fee to have access to a database such as that. Unfortunately by the time it would take him to research and then post something like that, I will have already made as much as an informed decision as possible with my own research. But it would certainly still be helpful for anybody that is looking for greener pastures or for the next newbie to make a wiser informed decision without having to go through the hassle we and many others like us are going through at the moment.

Great Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again for your valued input Errol, and thank you for serving our country!!!!!!!!!!

Tazzy, O.S., as usual, said it all. I went through Swift in Memphis last December (I took the veteran deal.)

Swift actually starts paying you back at the same time you begin your payments. You will lose that benefit of you walk away.

Cheapskate special: those re-payments continue for an additional 13 months (total two years +) so the Swift Academy is free!

Thanks Errol on your insights as well. Not sure if they have changed their contract or not, but my contract explicitly states that the reimbursement does not start until after the 13 months of repaying the loan and the loan is completely repaid (if for some reason the loan was not paid as scheduled ei: missed a payment). Then the reimbursement would be $37.50/wk until the loan is reimbursed in full.

Good Luck and thanks again!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Old School!!!

I have read the contract thoroughly. It only states that this is a loan, the weekly payment and where to mail the payment to if direct deposit isn't chosen as the payment method. What it doesn't say is that I am contracted to drive for Swift for any period of time, unless I want to be reimbursed for the cost of tuition, which would require 3 years, 1 year paying them $75.00/week for the cost of tuition (which is the loan amount) and then two years of them reimbursing me $37.50/week to pay for the schooling. That's quite a long commitment for a $3900 loan............ With that being said, I have every intention on paying the loan back whether Swift is where I end up or if I end up with someone else. I understand this is a legal document and a loan which can adversely affect your credit score. I have decided to keep my options open to other employers as I think everybody should have options and should look into them in case one feels that others may just be a better fit. There are a few companies right here in Indianapolis that hire new CDL A drivers, and like Swift, they also have a period of riding with someone you don't know for a period of time. The difference is, these companies have their drivers home every weekend vs. being told to pack for 6 weeks , their terminal is 45 minutes from me vs. Swift's terminal being 3 hours away, and if that isn't enough their starting pay during training and when you get your own truck is significantly higher than what Swifts pay is.

What I was asking is, "Once signing the enrollment contract with Swift, and after one graduates and decides to work for another carrier or private company other than Swift, what can one expect?" I appreciate your honest response, but I was really hoping for someone to respond that has done what I am asking and thinking of doing. Will Swift request my employer to do a direct deposit to them? Can I ask my employer to do a direct deposit to Swift (which I know will depend on who my employer is)? I am just looking for some insight of what others experiences may have been if they have been in this situation.

Thanks again Old School!!!!!

Hi Phox

Thanks for sharing your spreadsheet!!!!!!! I just got my CDL A on Friday 8/7/15. I am trying to weigh several factors before choosing an employee and your spreadsheet brought to light some very important factors that I missed when making my own!!!!!!!!!!

Are all C1 students committed to either Pam or Swift?

Hi Indy

No, you can attend C1 without having to go through either Pam or Swift.

With that question in mind, maybe someone out there can answer this question.

Once signing the enrollment contract with Swift, and after one graduates and decides to work for another carrier or private company other than Swift, what can one expect?

I'm not gonna go into great details about everyday stuff, but just a quick rundown for anybody who is thinking about going to school in Indianapolis for Swift Transportation or Pam Transportation.

I started school on July 20, 2015 and graduated on August 7, 2015. 3 weeks (minimum of 120 hours of instruction), which is exactly the length of time the school is supposed to be. I am either one of the lucky ones, or I really did pay attention and watched and learned as most don't graduate until the 4th week, some in their 5th week, and some not at all. This is not something that everybody is cut out to do. I suggest before doing this you think about, talk to others (especially experienced OTR drivers, especially Swift drivers if you can find them), talk to your family, do your finances and figure out whether you can go at least a month without a paycheck as Swift doesn't provide paid training. Pam students, you get $50.00/week in weeks 1 and 2 and $100.00 the third week. Make it count and graduate, as the money stops there.

Anyway, the first day is long. You have to be there at 6:00am ( the remaining days at school you are required to be there at 6:45am) to stand in line to be checked into the school. The week I went we had 10 Swift students (which is what C1 has room for, and there were 30 Pam students = total of 40 students). Swift transportation has just started using C1 Indianapolis for training, I believe my class was either the 2nd or 3rd class to be enrolled. You get checked in and then you SIT until it's time to take a wiz quiz followed by a DOT physical. Some results of your wiz quiz is immediate, others are sent off FedEx and results are back Wednesday or Thursday of the 1st week. Don't be stupid, they will come in and pull you out of class unceremoniously and send you home at YOUR expense, we had two such Einsteins.

Week 1: The first week is all classroom time. I believe there are 9 test, 6 of which is MUST PASS. They are open book test and the instructor Brad Butts is very good at explaining the material. Let me give a shout out to Brad, great guy!!!!!! Just don't have your cell phone on in class, you will lose it until the end of the day. During the first week you are given plenty of time to go to the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), to begin testing for your CDL permit. In-state students are not required to have their permit before attending school, out-of-state students are supposed to, although there where a dozen or so who did not, in which case you must go to your home state to test for your CDL permit. C1 provided transportation to students from Ohio (all of which were Pam students), all other students from other states had their permits before attending. Study hard and take and pass as many of the test for your permit early, as I will explain why later in my post.

Week 2: The fun begins... You are moved out of the classroom and you get to start learning how to back up and drive the trucks on the street (city traffic, Indianapolis is a very large city and lots of traffic). Because our class size was so large, we were not able to follow the itenerary the school provided (which was aggravating, but if it happens to you just hang in there), we were not given the opportunity to drive out on the streets everyday ( I drove 3 days ). Learn to back the truck up!!!!! Straight back, offset backing and parallel parking (Yes, you must learn how to parallel park the truck, and yes it does have a 48' trailer attached). It's not that hard, just pay attention to the instructors!!!!!!!!! ( I got to be on the range backing up trucks everyday, and all 3 back up exercises are tested when you go to state to take your test). We had a lot of free time this second week, take advantage of it, if you take nothing else from this post heed this warning...... on your free time STUDY FOR YOUR PRE-TRIP INSPECTION!!!!!!!!! There is a lot to learn, and most have keywords that must be included for each part (82 of them I believe) in order to pass the state inspection. You get all that information, study it, you will be happy you did come your third week if you really want to get out of there in 3 weeks and get back home, family or wherever it is, not to mention the sooner you get out the sooner you can start to make some money.

Week 3: You should have been in the truck on the streets and on the range a few times by now. This week is to enhance your skills you have learned. You must pass the schools test which includes the range test (straight line backing, off-set backing, and parallel parking), the pre-trip inspection and a driving road test before you are able to test at state. Remember earlier when I said get your permit as quickly as possible? You must have your permit for 14 days prior to taking your test with the state. Get your permit that 1st week if you want out by the end of the third week. If you don't get your permit until the 3rd day of the second week, you CAN NOT take your state test until the 3rd day of the 4th week. You should've been home by now!! Remember Pam students, you no longer get that weekly check and Swift students you never got one to begin with if you roll into a 4th week.

Pay attention, study hard, use your time wisely and hopefully your first trip to state will be your only trip you have to make and you can earn a red hat as pictured.