Swift Training In Fontana, CA

I am officially done with training and started orientation today. I must say it went quite well and most of the instructors are really awesome and good teachers. I was in a really small class, only 6 people, which I was really happy about! We all got plenty of time behind the wheel for driving and backing. The first week was a ton of information! That week we learned air brakes and the outside pre trip inspection, but do to the small class size and all but one classmate being awesome we were able to help rather and really get it down. The second week was all backing and driving on the road. Downshifting is a *****! But we all got it down and I have pretty much no problem with it now.

Today was the first of three days of orientation, and while it was incredibly boring, it was also very informative. After orientation we will do our final testing for our Class A CDL, then get on a truck with a mentor for 200 hours of drive time. The first 50 hours are run solo, then once the trainer feels comfortable we get dispatched as a team, there is also a certain amount of backs that I have to perform in that time, which is awesome considering that some companies trainers aren't allowing their students to back enough. I'm looking forward to getting on the road and working toward my own truck!

Swift wasn't my first choice of company but I am not at all displeased with the training that I have received and most of my classmates and instructors have been awesome! It is definitely an accelerated course, so keep that in mind if you are planning on going thru Swift for your training.

If I think of anything else to add I will definitely post it and if you have any questions I will gladly answer them!

Thanks for reading!

Congratulation Sam! Wish you the best in your new career.

As I'm in the Los Angeles area, would you mind telling us the Swift requirements if you go with their program? How long is your contract with them to "re-pay" the cost, is there deductions on your paycheck? what's the penalties if you leave early? and finally how was those first weeks?

Thanks for your help!

Enjoy your big rig :)

Dino Asked:

As I'm in the Los Angeles area, would you mind telling us the Swift requirements if you go with their program? How long is your contract with them to "re-pay" the cost, is there deductions on your paycheck? what's the penalties if you leave early? and finally how was those first weeks?

Welcome to the TT forum Dino.

This link will help with your financial questions>>> Swift Academy. I suggest filling out an on-line application (found on Swift's website) and contacting a recruiter for specifics on the training. They will send you a starter kit so you know what to expect.

I attended Swift's Academy in Richmond over four years ago (I continue to drive for Swift on a Dedicated Walmart account). Their training is in two parts; 3-3.5 weeks of formal schooling class room, yard & road skills, then once you graduate and get your CDL A, 3 days of orientation followed by 200 hours of road-training (OTR) with a mentor.

Here is some additional important reading, highly recommended for folks like yourself "kicking tires". The High Road training is a computer based curriculum designed to enable passing of the CDL A permit exams. Again highly recommended. I suggest starting a new subject/thread, you'll get more attention to any questions or observations. We're here to help! Good luck!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Dino's questions:

As I'm in the Los Angeles area, would you mind telling us the Swift requirements if you go with their program? How long is your contract with them to "re-pay" the cost, is there deductions on your paycheck? what's the penalties if you leave early? and finally how was those first weeks?

Being in Ventura, you'll probably have a hotel room (paid for) near the school. Closest is in Fontana, but you could be sent somewhere else.

If you read the page G-Town sent you, you'll see you pay it back through paycheck deduction in 1 year, but at the same time, Swift refunds about half your tuition! Net out of pocket is $1050. And if you stay the next year, you get all of it back. However, if you think you should move on (not advised) you'll have the total balance to pay off.

You can read many diaries here about school. The bottom line is you are expected to apply yourself and learn the details of trucking life, and how to back up a 53' trailer. It's not boot camp, but you can't mess around.