Prime Vs Swift Vs Millis

....to be continued!! Lol!

The recruiter at Swift wants me to take a few online courses to prepare for the permit test. She also told me to get the permit before making the trip to Swift's training school...Maybe I will go ahead and get a student permit before I travel to whatever school I end up attanding...

At Swift, having your state's permit (+ medical card) saves you time and, I think, $100 up front. You can skip a CDL class & go right into the academy.

The online "courses" are just to fill out some forms, not something you need to learn. 10 minutes, you're in, you're out. I had my MS permit. There may be courses if you need to take the CDL class.

BTW, Swift works with your local state CDL if you already have the permit - they don't "force" you to get a license in the state you take your class in.

The recruiter at Swift wants me to take a few online courses to prepare for the permit test. She also told me to get the permit before making the trip to Swift's training school...Maybe I will go ahead and get a student permit before I travel to whatever school I end up attanding...

At Swift, having your state's permit (+ medical card) saves you time and, I think, $100 up front. You can skip a CDL class & go right into the academy.

The online "courses" are just to fill out some forms, not something you need to learn. 10 minutes, you're in, you're out. I had my MS permit. There may be courses if you need to take the CDL class.

BTW, Swift works with your local state CDL if you already have the permit - they don't "force" you to get a license in the state you take your class in.

I've read somewhere that there is some kind of reciprocity among states, but that we are to get a license wherever our state requires us to.

Swift has their Academy. The core course works for all. But Swift customizes Pre-trip and backing practice to your home state.

Your final Academy evaluation matches your home state's requirements. After you pass that, you are sent to your home state (mostly) for one week on-the-road practice, and the arrangements /appointment for the state CDL driver test are made for you. (But at the state DMV office, you pay the fees.)

When you pass & have your state's CDL-A warm from the laminator in your hands, you'll get instructions for showing up at Swift Orientation - that's when you get hired at Swift.

I went through a training school in Tennessee 10 years ago. Never ever drove any type of stick shift, and was the only one in the class. They laughed, and called me "No Clutch." At the end of the class, I graduated at the top of my class. The less you know, the less they have to correct. I drove for a while, let my CDL expire a few years ago, but start with Prime Inc. on Monday March 30, 2015 in their paid CDL training program. Got the learner's permit with the tanker endorsement out f the way, and ready to get it going. I will be studying for the hazmat in case it is required. I want to get into tanker, so I can go to the oilfields in a year or so. Prime matched up great for me, especially since I live just 45 minutes away from their corporate terminal. Years ago, I went from a school to Star Transportation out of Nashville, TN, and was thrown in a truck after 3 weeks of training with an idiot, and then thrown in a truck by myself, and definitely wasn't ready. I drove for a while with no accidents, but can say from experience that the company paid programs are a little better than the school, then company path. You learn one thing in school, the trainer at the company will teach you another way, then the safety guy testing you to go solo will question why you are flooring the clutch, or doing this a certain way, etc. Too many variables, at least that was my past experience. My advice to anyone is 1. don't stress, 2. listen to your instructor, 3. take notes, 4. Be slow, and take it easy. 5. You will make rookie mistakes, but so does everyone. 6. Learn from these mistakes, and don't take things personally. If you can do these things, then you will be fine. Some days plainly suck, and some days you will love your new career. It is just like any other job out there. Some days are great, and then there are bad days. Take the good with the bad, and you will be golden. Keep a clean record, and within a year or two, anyone will want you as a driver. Trucking and the medical field are the two highest in demand jobs that are always recruiting. The sky is the limit!

The recruiter at Swift wants me to take a few online courses to prepare for the permit test. She also told me to get the permit before making the trip to Swift's training school...Maybe I will go ahead and get a student permit before I travel to whatever school I end up attanding...

At Swift, having your state's permit (+ medical card) saves you time and, I think, $100 up front. You can skip a CDL class & go right into the academy.

The online "courses" are just to fill out some forms, not something you need to learn. 10 minutes, you're in, you're out. I had my MS permit. There may be courses if you need to take the CDL class.

BTW, Swift works with your local state CDL if you already have the permit - they don't "force" you to get a license in the state you take your class in.

I've read somewhere that there is some kind of reciprocity among states, but that we are to get a license wherever our state requires us to.

I highly recommend getting the learner's permit (written test), out of the way with whatever school you go to, especially Prime. I wouldn't waste money on a DOT physical if going to Prime, because they will do their own anyway, unless there is something you aren't sure about, which may be worth the $70 just for peace of mind at least

Dina D,

A few posts back you mentioned Swift's pay being lower. It used to be but late last summer / early fall they raised starting pay to .33 a mile which is very average for many companies. Higher than some, lower than a few others.

They have another raise coming up I believe in May and it will be raised to .36 per mile to start. Obviously it goes up from there. Good luck whatever way you go.

The recruiter at Swift wants me to take a few online courses to prepare for the permit test. She also told me to get the permit before making the trip to Swift's training school...Maybe I will go ahead and get a student permit before I travel to whatever school I end up attanding...

At Swift, having your state's permit (+ medical card) saves you time and, I think, $100 up front. You can skip a CDL class & go right into the academy.

The online "courses" are just to fill out some forms, not something you need to learn. 10 minutes, you're in, you're out. I had my MS permit. There may be courses if you need to take the CDL class.

BTW, Swift works with your local state CDL if you already have the permit - they don't "force" you to get a license in the state you take your class in.

I've read somewhere that there is some kind of reciprocity among states, but that we are to get a license wherever our state requires us to.

I highly recommend getting the learner's permit (written test), out of the way with whatever school you go to, especially Prime. I wouldn't waste money on a DOT physical if going to Prime, because they will do their own anyway, unless there is something you aren't sure about, which may be worth the $70 just for peace of mind at least

You gave a ton of great advice Alan! I'll take it! Thank you! Maybe I'll see you at Prime's Headquarters in a week!

The recruiter at Swift wants me to take a few online courses to prepare for the permit test. She also told me to get the permit before making the trip to Swift's training school...Maybe I will go ahead and get a student permit before I travel to whatever school I end up attanding...

At Swift, having your state's permit (+ medical card) saves you time and, I think, $100 up front. You can skip a CDL class & go right into the academy.

The online "courses" are just to fill out some forms, not something you need to learn. 10 minutes, you're in, you're out. I had my MS permit. There may be courses if you need to take the CDL class.

BTW, Swift works with your local state CDL if you already have the permit - they don't "force" you to get a license in the state you take your class in.

I've read somewhere that there is some kind of reciprocity among states, but that we are to get a license wherever our state requires us to.

I highly recommend getting the learner's permit (written test), out of the way with whatever school you go to, especially Prime. I wouldn't waste money on a DOT physical if going to Prime, because they will do their own anyway, unless there is something you aren't sure about, which may be worth the $70 just for peace of mind at least

You gave a ton of great advice Alan! I'll take it! Thank you! Maybe I'll see you at Prime's Headquarters in a week!

You bet!

Prime will run you 100 dollars up front but they run a great program. While on your permit they loan you 200 a week which helps and is paid back at 25 bucks a week and they also provide 3 meals a day the first week. Once you pass cdl test you get 700 a week til you upgrade to your own truck. Also if you pass the cdl test the first try you get a 250 dollar bonus. Base pay is .38 CPM and if driving lightweight an extra .05cpm and also up to .06cpm fuel bonus. We get out to California a decent amount, I've been twice in a month. I spent several months researching and have no regrets by choosing Prime.