160 Driving Academy

I believe Swift is outsourcing their CDL classes to a chain called 160 Driving Academy. Has anyone experienced them? I'd like to know I'm in good hands if I go through them.

I'm not familiar with them but if the major companies are using a particular school it's because they're comfortable with the results they're getting. Remember, they're hiring those drivers after they graduate. So the school can make any claims they like, put up a good front, and have a yard full of shiny trucks but in the end the proof is in the pudding. Have their drivers learned the necessary skills and materials to be ready to head out on the road with a trainer? If the answer was 'no' the company would cut that school loose in a hurry or make them raise their training standards immediately. They're not going pay someone to give them inferior results. So you can be comfortable that the school is a viable option if Swift is using them.

That makes a lot of sense Brett, Survival of the fittest in school form I suppose. I think after work I'm going to get in touch with them and ask some in depth questions. What are the questions you would ask if you were in my place?

Well in this case you already know that the school will be decent or Swift wouldn't be using them. But you should go on a tour anyhow ( assuming you live close enough ) to really get a feel for the place. Talk to some of the students. See how they feel about it.

The bigger concern if you were to go that route would be Swift themselves, more so than the school. Does Swift seem to be offering what you're looking for as far as pay, home time, benefits, equipment, and future opportunities? And given their size, the answer for most people is "yes". They can accommodate a lot of people.

Some people have special circumstances that some companies will be more accommodating with. Did you want to bring any passengers along? Do you have a pet? Are there any types of physical work you would prefer to do, or prefer to avoid? Do you have places around the country with family you're hoping to visit once in a great while for a "home time vacation" away from home?

You don't have to answer any of those for me. Those are just some examples of scenarios that you might have to account for. So take the approach that all of the major companies are good places to work but they all have their own unique policies and perks. So you're really looking for the best match for your overall situation.

We have a great list of questions to ask recruiters:

Questions To Ask Trucking Company Recruiters

At the bottom of that page you'll see even more links to help you get the most out of conversations with recruiters, whether it be for a school or for a company.

I went through 160, their location in peoria. I can't speak for every location they have, but I was overall pretty happy. I looked at a bunch of schools in illinois, private schools, community colleges, and company schools.

The instructors make a fun environment, while getting the job done the right way. I still talk to my instructor and I know I'm not his only former student he keeps in contact with.

I can also tell you that now, as a trainer, there's a lot of small bits of information that schools take for granted. Things like how many pounds are in a ton, what to do when a deer jumps out in front of you, how to fix jumping the 5th wheel... Most of my students didn't know anything about those things before we talked about them. These are all things we talked about at 160.

I have no issue recommending them to you.

Thanks Landion. Peoria is probably the closest location to me if not their Champaign- Urbana branch. If I go with swift anyway. I was contacted by US Xpress today offering me "free" Training at Premier CDL. It sounds too good to be true though.

I was contacted by US Xpress today offering me "free" Training at Premier CDL. It sounds too good to be true though.

What did they say you're skeptical about? I worked there six years at one point and they're an excellent company.

I'm just skeptical of anything that's free. I just can't see them giving away 4 grand, y'know? I just need to see what they are asking in return, how long of a contract they want in return. But it's good to know someone has had a good first hand experience with them.

Nothing in the training business is free. US Express will require a contract, likely a 9-12 months driving commitment for them while you "work-off" the training debt.

Right, a contract in return for the training is something I am expecting. But, for example, swift will train you, contract you, and then take part of your pay to pay back the training. That's what I'm afraid they aren't telling me.