Orientation Scheduled For Melton, Maybe A Problem?

So I just graduated from Swift Academy last Friday, due to an error on the 3rd party examiners part it took me a couple of extra days to get my hands on my CDL , which pushed my Swift orientation back another week. Which left me time to start looking at other companies and other options. I've looked at Swift as a stepping stone since day one, and I enjoyed the academy, if you paid attention and did what the instructors told you, everything worked. But looking at the company itself, I didn't see it as a place I could spend my career.

So after talking to numerous friends and neighbors who've worked for companies that are a little more local to me, I put in an application to Melton, within a day the recruiter touched base with me and yesterday we got me scheduled for Orientation.

The only thing I'm not clear on is whether or not I'll need my certificate from Swift. I've read my contract over and over and the only thing it really says is that I have 13 months from the 10th day of the following month after training to pay my loan for schooling, I understand that I have monthly obligations to keep from going into default, but swift is financing the note @ 0%. Which means I should be able to obtain my certificate/transcripts before the note is paid right?

I have every intention of paying the note, It's just that initially the Melton recruiter asked me about the certificate, when I'd told her that I haven't received it yet and that I wasn't sure when I would, she told me not to worry about it. I've got a friend who is scheduled for orientation the same day with Melton, and she told him the same thing. I'm just worried about getting to orientation and possible getting sent home due to not having the certificate.

tl:dr

So anyone that has went to a Melton orientation. If you could, chime in and let me know if you had to have your certificate/transcripts, or if there's anyone who's gone through the Swift Academy and chosen not to work for Swift, did you get your transcripts before having the note paid in full?

Interesting. I never received a certificate or transcript from prime... I got my CDL that proves I passed. The one certificate they did give me is a safe driving course that I used to lower my xR insurance. Why would they need anything other than your license?

A lot of the companies that I've applied to require your transcripts, I guess if they have proof that you went to a school it lowers their insurance.

So why is Swift a "stepping stone"? In that case you shouldn't have wasted your time, and gone directly to Melton!

You kind of dissed a few people here (including me) who think Swift is a fine place to work, and pays decent.

You also didn't read enough of your Swift contact. After 13 months, you've paid $1900 - not the whole $3400! (I think G-Town has the right number) and you can walk away if you want to.

But if you stick with Swift another year, they pay you back all of it.

I don't see where I've dissed Swift at all, Like I said their training is great, I just didn't see Swift as a career company for "myself", I went to Swift for the training and because they're one of the few companies who pay their trainees more than a mere pittance. I just see Melton as somewhere I can potentially spend my career, I'll know for sure after a year or so. I understand how Swifts reimbursements work, I'm saying if I choose not to work for Swift, the loan contract gives you 13 months to pay the amount in full.

I don't feel I wasted my time with Swift, I went through their training and obtained my CDL , Melton doesn't have a student program, they just accept recent trucking school grads, and train them for flatbed and OTR.

I left this alone because I go through a triage approach to what and how I reply to posts.

So yes you definitely dissed many Swift drivers. Whatever... You made that statement without really knowing what Swift is about. I have been with them for four years and although I have looked at other opportunities, nothing else has come close to matching what I have with built and earned with Swift.

Remember trucking is all about how you handle and adjust to unplanned events. It's an everyday occurrence. Keep that in mind. Also keep in mind that it matters not how close you live to a terminal unless you are running local.

And the numbers that Errol mentioned? Swift will deduct $37.50 from every weekly check for 52 weeks; the sum is $1950.00. For every week you continue working after the first year, Swift deposits $37.50 per week for the next 52 paychecks. As a result my schooling was free and Errol is following the same path of reimbursement. Here is the catch, based on your current path you owe Swift at least $3900.00 not 1950. IMO, unless you aren't telling us everything, your decision seems hasty.

Happy to share more about Swift if you would like.

Melton is a good company, but so is Swift. Good luck to you.

G-Town said

Errol is following the same path of reimbursement.

As a veteran (for Swift, that's anybody with a DD-214) I work for a year, I pay no deductions for tuition, and after 12 months (last March for me), Swift marks it PAID. I'm done!

Being one that has been with swift, i would recommend doing the year with them and then advance on if you want... I made the mistake of leaving them in my 10th month and still owe them the remaining balance of 3900 (minus the 10 months i worked) I think it was somewhere around the 1500 mark. had I just stayed with them for 3 more months, my debt would have been 1950 rather then the 3900... just something to think about really.

G-Town said

Errol is following the same path of reimbursement.

As a veteran (for Swift, that's anybody with a DD-214) I work for a year, I pay no deductions for tuition, and after 12 months (last March for me), Swift marks it PAID. I'm done!

Sorry Errol, no disrespect for overlooking your veteran status.

Pokey's original question'

The only thing I'm not clear on is whether or not I'll need my certificate from Swift.

I'm not speaking for Melton, but generally your training certificate is your only written proof of your 160 hour course. Swift will keep that in a file until you pay them your tuition fee.

Now Melton might pass on a "hiring bonus" that will cover Swift's charges.