SWIFT Academy - Richmond, VA

I'm trying to make a decision on where to start my trucking career and would like to hear from people who have been through this. From the companies I've looked at I'm leaning toward going with SWIFT because they have training near by and the recruiter has been more willing to give information than so of the other recruiters I've spoken with.

My hesitation comes from all the negative things I've seen on the internet regarding SWIFT. I'm not sure if what I'm hearing is typical or just unhappy people who want a place to vent. Anyone who is willing to offer their experiences with SWIFT in general or the SWIFT academy in Richmond, VA in particular will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Johnathan K. Thompson, Sr.

Well if they are the closets and cost is a issue then go with swift. After a year u can jump to another company.

Well if they are the closets and cost is a issue then go with swift. After a year u can jump to another company.

Actually, recent info from their (Swift) website shows full reimbursement is available only if you stay employed for 26 months. You'd probably be responsible for paying back the company if you left before your 26 months.

Johnathon, as long as you're OK w/ the length of time needed to stay at Swift in order to not pay out of pocket for schooling, seems like you already have your mind made up. Don't believe the garbage on the internet. I know plenty of people who happily went through their training at Swift. Prime is another great option, and only requires a year commitment to have the 'free' schooling. But you'd be heading to Springfield, MO.

Johnathan I drive for swift so if you got any questions feel free to ask. Phone would be easiest to be honest. So if you got questions about Swift I can try and answer them for ya. The 26th month thing works where the first year they pull the tuition out of your paycheck and everything else that happens during school. The second year is they basically give it all back is what it amounts to. So if you don't care about your reimbursement you can jump shop after first year without having to pay anything back.

Hope that helps

Read my post in the training diary section about Swift. Lots of my classmates had no intention of staying, they were there to get their cdl's . Go to Swift, get your cdl , then find another company that takes student drivers and is willing to pay off your tuition as long as you work for them. US Express is one example, I start orientation on Monday. I got several job offers by filling out the app on this site. If you have more questions about Swift, I'll do my best to help you out.