New: My Swift Experience So Far.

First of all, Hello everyone and nice to meet you all ahead of time. I am currently moving to my final week at Swift Academy in Columbus OH. I took to the training as of there was a 100k per year job on the line or something lol. I have scored a 97.40% on pre trip and all 6 backing maneuvers. I have not yet taken my OTR evaluation because I need 8 hours but I highly expect to pass with the training I have received from this academy. I will Have my CDL and am excited to go home by the end of the week.

I fully intend to give a minimum of 2 years to Swift and have not even bothered to price around. (I hope I’m making the right decision)

Now to give details of how my training has gone so far.

1. The instructor vs. Student ratio is harsh therefore getting all of your time needed to graduate as quickly as you want to is almost impossible.

2. Every instructor trains differently on both backing and maneuvers and if you happen to get a different instructor from one day to the next it can be very overwhelming and confusing. (Do your maneuvers how you are comfortable)

3. Pre trip Pre trip Pre trip! I was shown the pre trip 1 time and given a long script to study. I am a very hands on learner therefore that made it my biggest obstacle. Asking an instructor to help while on the range is impossible because they are so short handed. Gather classmates and study study study! Went as far as to Uber up to the range with classmates on the weekend to be hands on with the outside part of the pre trip. ( trucks are locked so can’t do anything else)

4. It is ok to say no! When I felt I was more than proficient at a maneuver that they wanted me to spend more hours doing I would let it be known and even offer to show I’m proficient at it and request to move to a maneuver ( The 90 specifically) because I wanted to be proficient on all in case I got it for my state test. They are more than happy to oblige.

5. You know NOTHING! Luckily I did not approach this thinking I was ahead of the game and just needed the required hours to take my state test. I honestly knew nothing so I was a fresh slate. However I watched several people whom were dropped from other academies just blatantly ignore instruction and fail! Just follow the instruction given at all times and don’t disregard what you are being trained and how. (These guys know their stuff and how to get you a CDL)

6. Just like the military, Trucking is all Hurry up and wait! So if you lack the patience avoid this career because you are only hurting your own ego by staying.

7. Spend time in the Drivers Lounge when you are at the academy ( on lunch ) and talk to the drivers. These are the guys who will let you know about some of the dedicated runs that are nightmares and also explain the difference in regional and OTR driving. I learned quickly that Regional is what fits the lifestyle I’m looking for. However it may be different for those who want to do a dollar tree dedicated run in which you are unloading your truck piece by piece yourself. ( I’m past that kind of physical exertion I’m trying to hook and go)

Currently I don’t have any real OTR experience to help anyone or give input on ( 2 hours is not enough to go on about) however I will provide updates when I feel comfortable about what I’m talking about.

Nice to meet you all and shout out to SWIFT for the opportunity that is literally going to change the lives of myself and my kids!

Great update Phillip!! Glad to hear things are going well. Looking forward to following your success.

Great update Phillip!! Glad to hear things are going well. Looking forward to following your success.

Thank You! And I’ll update as soon as I can for everyone!

Great update Phillip!! Glad to hear things are going well. Looking forward to following your success.

Thank You! And I’ll update as soon as I can for everyone!

Great update Phillip!! Glad to hear things are going well. Looking forward to following your success.

Thank you! And good luck to you as well! We are definitely bound to be Truckers soon enough!

Awesome and good luck. How long was the school and how much home time are you getting before going on the road? Once going on the road with your trainer how long are you out for each time? I looked heavily @ going to Swift for my training and decided that the total time away from home isn't what I wanted to do. I mean I've heard some are gone for like 4-5 weeks and home for a day or two and out for another 4-6 weeks before going solo. That's not for me. I'm honesty going to sign up tomorrow @ my local private school and work on getting a local gig. There are a few decent home time opportunities if I'm unable to grab a local gig with home time every 2-5 days and home for your 34. So home @ least two times a week. One for your 24 and the other for your 34. I would love a home Friday to Monday route but I'm not into weeks @ a time.

Again, good luck to you and be safe out there.

Awesome and good luck. How long was the school and how much home time are you getting before going on the road? Once going on the road with your trainer how long are you out for each time? I looked heavily @ going to Swift for my training and decided that the total time away from home isn't what I wanted to do. I mean I've heard some are gone for like 4-5 weeks and home for a day or two and out for another 4-6 weeks before going solo. That's not for me. I'm honesty going to sign up tomorrow @ my local private school and work on getting a local gig. There are a few decent home time opportunities if I'm unable to grab a local gig with home time every 2-5 days and home for your 34. So home @ least two times a week. One for your 24 and the other for your 34. I would love a home Friday to Monday route but I'm not into weeks @ a time.

Again, good luck to you and be safe out there.

So after the initial 4 week training you will go OTR with a mentor for 4 weeks. Then transfer to your own truck and depending on what you chose as your haul is how you determine the amount of Time you are home. Regional is home Saturday-Monday morning, OTR is home like 3 days every 3 weeks, and dedicated are home almost daily but guaranteed off weekends. It’s a matter of choice. Swift has been a great place for me and Regional fits what I want to do and thank you for your kind words.

I wouldn't mind regional myself. I was checking out some dedicated routes with them along with Rouel. Rouel pays more for driving in certain areas in the NE. Not sure if any other carrier does this. I personally wouldn't mind doing the entire east coast with some runs into Canada. I have a passport that is good til 2025 and just renewed my TWIC card that expires in September.

Good luck with it and be safe.

Veriha also has a northeast regional fleet. I am in CDL school with them right now. So far so good. If you look into them, tell them Trucking Truth was the referral source if you happen to get into conversations with them so the site gets credit.

Best to you!

I wouldn't mind regional myself. I was checking out some dedicated routes with them along with Rouel. Rouel pays more for driving in certain areas in the NE. Not sure if any other carrier does this. I personally wouldn't mind doing the entire east coast with some runs into Canada. I have a passport that is good til 2025 and just renewed my TWIC card that expires in September.

Good luck with it and be safe.

Phillip good luck finish8ng things up there in Columbus. I am a flatbed mentor for Swift. Look forward to seeing you on the road soon. Listen and learn from your mentor while on thier truck. That is where the real world learning starts. If you have any questions reach out.