Prime Vs Swift Vs Millis

I just wanted to do this on here Ha, ha, ha! lol! I am really grateful to have chatted with all of you! : D

I went to a private trucking school. I got a sallie mae note. It was a 480 hour course and it was weekends and weds nights. I couldn't do the week day course cause I needed to work. Got my class A and went to Prime did 40000 with a trainer.Got my own truck and about 5 months later prime sent me a check to pay the sallie may note with. It was a reimbursement check

I went to a private trucking school. I got a sallie mae note. It was a 480 hour course and it was weekends and weds nights. I couldn't do the week day course cause I needed to work. Got my class A and went to Prime did 40000 with a trainer.Got my own truck and about 5 months later prime sent me a check to pay the sallie may note with. It was a reimbursement check

So, James, Prime covered your school? Sweet!

Errol They paid for most of it .. At The time I got hire I didn't know they did that.. After I got my own truck `I drove back home to fill it with my stuff and went to my old school to talk to the students about my experience the job placement people told me Prime does reimburstment . So I called the recruiter from Prime and they put me on the reimburstment program. Which was SWEET!!!!!!!

Errol They paid for most of it .. At The time I got hire I didn't know they did that.. After I got my own truck `I drove back home to fill it with my stuff and went to my old school to talk to the students about my experience the job placement people told me Prime does reimburstment . So I called the recruiter from Prime and they put me on the reimburstment program. Which was SWEET!!!!!!!

Guys and gals, see that? communications work!

Thank you everyone! I did a ton of research on Sunday and last week and re-read all of your posts and am ready to begin the process of becoming a trucker! If you are interested you can find more info about Prime, Swift, and Millis by going to:

Prime Inc. Company Training Diary by Mason V.

Swift Academy Memphis by Errol V.

Swift CDL Training by Engineering Mother

Millis CDL Training In Alvarado, TX by Photogirl

There is funding out there that WIA /the unemployment office/sallie mae (as James U. indicated), tax write offs, and carriers (through reimbursement) offer. I currently work full time, and have a part time job with flexible hours that is temporary (lasts three months). I'd have to quit my full time job or become unemployed to attend school for a month and a half (all bills - housing, student loans, insurance, food, gas, and whatever the funds do not cover will be out of pocket expenses during this time). I already have a degree. But, it makes sense to go to college to earn a CDL if you can afford it. Altough going back to college for a CDL is the best thing to do, it will be the last thing I do.

I like carrier training programs because the truck companies guarantee you a job after you get your cdl. After doing more research, I think I like Prime, Swift, and Roehl. Regardless of what I like, I know I have to apply to as many companies as I can (I already applied to about 30), and then choose from whatever companies pre-hire me. Although Prime and Roehl offer excellent pay, etc...I think I like Swift more because it is less strict or has more of an open door policy (allows multiple tries if I am dedicated to learning rather than just let me go) than Prime.

I am a strong visual learner, or learn best by reading or observing ("slightly photographic")...but am sort of weak at learning by listening (though I have excellent hearing)...(maybe my visual learning over compensates for my auditory learning). so I will definitely bring a tape recorder with me..and will probably have to play back a lot of what the instructors' say and take notes. * I am an excellent crammer if I can study by reading - I can cram an entire 100 page book worth of information in less than a day...but again need a very slow pace if a majority of the teaching is done verbally. I dont' know if anyone else can relate. I've read that Prime is more fast paced that Swift,so i am probably better off going to Swift.......

I know that Swift offers less pay, but It's been said that it offers "the standard". Also, I might get more home time with Swift (though I'm not too concerned about getting less home time), it's PTDI certified for whatever that is worth, and I will possibly have the chance to drive to the West Coast (I love California!! ). Swift has a location in Texas that is less than 4 hours away, so I could drive to it. My main concern is getting that year of OTR driving experience no matter which company offers it!

I am a petite female - about 5'3", less than 120 lbs. I read that people my size manage to tarp and secure flat beds really well. I'd like to drive a flat bed since I'd like the physical labor aspect of driving one of them, or drive a dry van..but if i were with prime i'd still want to drive a flat bed or reefer since I would have about 80 to 100% no touch freight but unfortunately about 90% live loads as some have said. I'd like to drive team for a year since it's been said that "two minds work better than one"....but I hope that my team member will be responsible...that's all.

i'm not a smoker, but I'm not going to be too picky when it comes to selecting a trainer. I just want the best trainer.

I've also read that going through the process of becoming a trucker and driving for a year is similar to being in the military. As Brett said, It's a struggle, but keep pushing forward.

I'll update you all in regards to my positive experiences in the future!

Good luck, Dina! You have posted here more research than any one else I've seen.

In your learning methods, you did not mention motor learning (your body/muscle learning). This is critical, especially for shifting.

I will definitely bring a tape recorder with me..and will probably have to play back a lot of what the instructors' say and take notes.

"Tape recorder"? How 20th century!

Good luck, Dina! You have posted here more research than any one else I've seen.

In your learning methods, you did not mention motor learning (your body/muscle learning). This is critical, especially for shifting.

I will definitely bring a tape recorder with me..and will probably have to play back a lot of what the instructors' say and take notes.

"Tape recorder"? How 20th century!

I just applied for a position with Swift, and left a message for a recruiter. I hope to send one job application a day this week, one of which will be Prime.

Best of Luck to you.. From what I read from your posts you will do GREAT!!!!!! you have done your homework.. I did that 4 years ago I did lots of research and it worked out. You need to go where you think would be the best fit for YOU.... It can be a struggle you will have your awesome days and your bad days 2 people small tin can it happens. After i got my class A I went otr with a trainer and he was Great learned so much. I really didnt struggle my first year I was getting good miles and good loads a month after getting my own truck. But I also pushed myself to learn it all in that short time with my trainer and it paid off in the end. Asked lots of questions.