Starting Swift Academy In Phoenix

Having read all of the forums, it seems that it has been a while (years, in fact!) since anyone has written a training journal for the Swift Academy located in Phoenix. I thought about starting one when I first applied, but like a lot of people -- I wasn't sure I'd even get my foot in the door. Lots of horror stories on the internet, I honestly thought I'd get denied. But I'll start of with a sort of "first things first" format, and give a little about my background and obstacles.

I first thought of doing trucking after spending 10 years teaching English in Asia. No joke, no not hiding prison time, I received my TEFL and decided to spend 1 year overseas in 2003 (prior career was computer programming which was outsourced to India). I honestly loved it, ended up spending a decade and worked in every country in east Asia. After moving back to the good ol' USA in 2013, trucking seemed to be a great opportunity.

It turned out to be a no-go, my license had expired some 7 years prior (why renew when you're living overseas?). I had no verifiable work history for the previous 10 years -- unless the carrier had an employee who spoke Korean, Chinese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Indonesian and Japanese. I also had a fresh assault on my record (misdemeanor - bar fight - long story). So I threw the whole trucking idea down the drain and got a job working offshore oil & gas.

Fast-forward 10 years and it's 2023. The oil & gas career ended during the pandemic, after exhausting unemployment benefits the rigs still weren't hiring so I started doing gig work (assembling furniture for Wayfair, dog-sitting for Rover, side jobs, etc). Those have started to slow down, bills aren't getting paid, so it's time for a change. Trucking came back to mind but would I qualify?

The misdemeanor is well over 10 years old. I've had my license back for more years than any carrier requires. Not a single ticket or DUI in over 20 years. And at the ripe age of 49, my back's not going to let me do offshore work. The one thing I couldn't do 10 years ago looks like one of a very few options I have left today. So a few weeks ago I hit the library's computers and started shopping around. Swift seemed like a good fit.

The application was definitely shorter than the one I filled out for Prime over a decade ago. I was honest about everything. Any DUI's in the last 5 years? No. Has your license EVER been suspended? Yes. Why? DUI in 2003. Ever been convicted of a crime? Yes, misdemeanor assault (bar fight). For work history I was equally honest -- on unemployment during the pandemic and started assembling furniture for Wayfair in 2001. Yes, I have worked for a couple other gig services. No, I did not list them -- Wayfair is the one place I've continuously worked since 2001. I submitted my application and got a call from a recruiter that evening.

We went over everything and the recruiter suggested I get the "CDL Prep" app on my phone to start practicing for the permit. I'm currently in Denver, but the address listed on my AZ driver's license says Holbrook, AZ -- which was far enough to qualify for a bus ticket to Phoenix if I passed the DOT physical and could get my record passed Security.

I honestly expected someone to say something about a license suspension and/or DUI from 2003 but nothing was said. When Security called (exactly 4 days after submitting my application), they just wanted to know what happened. I explained it was a bachelor party gone awry, I don't remember much, we all got arrested and well all got sentenced to a 4-hour anger management class and credit for time served (had to spend the night in jail). Was I put on probation? No. Were there any weapons? No. Thanks we'll be in touch...

Two hours later the recruiter called with good news and said she'd never seen anyone clear security so fast. So she booked a DOT physical with a partner here in Denver. The appointment was last Wednesday, exactly a week and a half from when I first submitted my application. That made me nervous, previous physicals for offshore oil have revealed my blood pressure is very close to being high. It is safe to say, I have read every single thread in this forum and others to find a way to get my BP under 140/90.

To save the next guy from the worries and panic I went through (in the voice of Yosemite Sam) -- become a beet-juice drinkin', salad-eatin', no-salt dashin', controlled-breathing kinda varmit! My BP was around 150/99 three days before the physical. So for 72 hours I went in to "rabbit" mode. Very little meat, a lot of salads and greens, no caffiene, lots of water, beet juice etc. Practiced relaxing and breathing techniques. Day of physical -- a bowl of cantaloupe and two bananas for breakfast. Beet juice 2 hours before exam. One more banana and a great big glass of water 1 hour before the exam. Urinate immediately before the exam. Breathing techniques while waiting in the lobby. Walk slowly and relaxed wherever they tell you to go, almost as if you're sleep walking. Don't talk while they take your blood pressure...

138/88. Whew!

The DOT physical happened on Wednesday, so I had to wait through the weekend. Figured I wouldn't hear anything until the end of the week, but got a call on Tuesday. Swift purchased a bus ticket for this Saturday, I start school next Monday, exactly 3 weeks after I applied. A *little* nervous about work history and proof of domicile, more later when I cross those bridges!

Great start to your training diary! I hope you keep it up... I've found it to be both entertaining and informative. I'm sure there will be many in the future who will appreciate your efforts to document your experience at the Swift Academy. I'm looking forward to seeing more installments in the near future.

Here's my Swift Academy diary from about nine years ago. Things may have changed a bit.

Swift Academy, Memphis, TN

Swift is the butt of many jokes, but they didn't become su big by hiring dummies it screwing their drivers. ("Sure Wish I Finished Training" is funny, but you will get plenty of training both during and after the Academy).

Good luck!

Jason welcome to the start of your career at swift. I say that because you can easily make a career if it suits you at swift. I am a swift flatbed mentor and grey haired as well. Ignore what the internet trolls say, a lot of them are holding on to the bad wrap the company had years ago when we were in high school. Focus on you and your goals. Pay attention in the academy. The real learning will be with your mentor on the road after you have passed your cdl test portion. While you are with your mentor ask questions when you don’t understand something and ask them to explain the why we do this and why we do that. I may be out there in Pheonix while you are there if you see a flatbed truck with an American flag on the back and a golden retriever sticking her head out the window that would be me. Good luck and feel free to reach out. I typically try and pop in here every 2-3 days.

Just an FYI for applicants who have done gig and/or cash work --

After bussing to Phoenix from Denver and attending the Academy for a week they sent me home. I provided tax records, 1099's, references, etc.

Swift does have a minimum income requirement. What that minimum is I do not know, but if you have not made whatever arbitrary income they *think* you should have made you will be sent home.

I was not rich enough for Swift. Not a joke.

Just an FYI for applicants who have done gig and/or cash work --

After bussing to Phoenix from Denver and attending the Academy for a week they sent me home. I provided tax records, 1099's, references, etc.

Swift does have a minimum income requirement. What that minimum is I do not know, but if you have not made whatever arbitrary income they *think* you should have made you will be sent home.

I was not rich enough for Swift. Not a joke.

Huh? Did they actually tell you that you didn't meet a minimum income requirement?

Arejay wonders:

Huh? Did they actually tell you that you didn't meet a minimum income requirement?

There's no "minimum income" requirement. All companies want to make sure the applicate hasn't spent the last two years in Margaritaville.

Third party (Pastor, Doctor, etc.) statements that you were full time caring for your Dad in his last days will work.