I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm from Florida as well. I didn't go through Swift to get my CDL but people keep asking me questions about it so thanks for the info.
Blessings OwnerlyOTRTrucking! Thank you for sharing your review with SWIFT Transportation Driver Academy. I am so grateful they decided to fly me out to Memphis, TN out of Atlanta. My ride through Greyhound would have been 18-hrs. We are staying in a great hotel with a full breakfast included. Yes, class is now 8-5 Monday thru Friday with weekends off. I was bless to have everything completed before arriving, but they did do another UA test, but all good. I am entering my third week to learn the ends-and-outs of our future trucks. Looking forward to the OTR experience. Thank you for the REVIEW. Awesome information. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND VIDEOS' Ms. B w/EE that's me!
As a 27 yr medical retired Driver + 10 yrs Bus...I've been watching Trucker videos & yours is 👏👏👏 great 4 Newbies I worked for Swift for 4 yrs got a service award each yr..Enjoy & watch what you can create...
You have a really nice truck. I've been driving for 21 years and I have never driven a brand new truck. You seem to be a really intelligent driver which is lacking these days, from all generations I might add. Keep up the good work, stay safe, work safe and eat right and you'll go far.
The freightliners cascadias have a great option to weather play with the manual or automatic the RPMs are a little bit different than a regular manual regarding shifting.. probably because of their economic status
Cuz I took a Greyhound from Upstate NY ALL the way down to North Carolina on the beach.., that ride sucked bro.. Getn ready to go to Richmond, VA. Swift Academy here in the next 2 weeks.. Got my CDL-A just need a Re-Train.. Much Respect Bro💯🙏🏽
From Ocala FL myself man, getting my cdl class a permit here soon and plan on going through to swift for all that stuff. Hope I dont have a crappy experience but looking forward to learning how to do this.
you're driving an automatic rig....do you have a restriction on driving manual on your CDL or did you train with a manual and they just put you into a automatic tractor??
Your Swift Academy experience sounds a lot like my orientation session with Schneider in Charlotte, NC back in 2010. I opted to get my CDL through the community college so I wouldn't be on the hook with any particular company. Picked Schneider because their orientation class was only 2 hours from home and they were offering southeast regional runs. Did my 1-week classroom/road orientation learning the "Schneider way" and the class was packed. Some were switching companies and others were newbs like me. I would say the majority of the class was on their last dollar and the motel Schneider put everyone up at was a dump from what the others were saying. Thankfully, I knew ahead of time about the motel and picked a different one at my own expense. Schneider gave meal tickets so you could eat at their hub's cafeteria and ran a shuttle between the hub and motel. Curious to know if all new Swift drivers get an automatic rig. APU on board to run A/C? If not, how is Swift on idling the truck to run A/C while sleeping?
We have a bunk heater. And we have opti idle on all trucks other then international which means the truck will turn on and off after you set the ac temperature. We have a fridge and inverters
A swift location is right here in Georgia(Metro Atlanta) "Decatur, GA". Not sure if it's a training school there. Would be very convenient for me. I could still work my CLASS B CDL job, while I train for my CLASS A CDL.
Look the truth of the matter is everybody overthinks the straight line back guy in our class could not get it after while he finally got it he got a perfect score on his driving test
How much did they start you out at cpm ? Also, I am a former OTR driver with Navajo Express. I did 1 year with Navajo. I am a yard jockey now. I have almost have 2 years in jockey work.
I took the permit test and passed on the first try and got my permit before even applying for trucking school. At the DMV for the CDL permit You have to take general knowledge, air brakes, and combinations. Anything else is extra/endorsements
Man I failed first time! idk how yall do it! I got too rocky but after I passed general knowledge failed the other two, next time I passed air brakes failed combo and now I'm waiting for hopefully my final test run!
Do swift pay you during schooling? I’m currently employed and I can’t afford not to get payed. I watched something that they have you in hotel until you done with the schooling. Is that true? Im not sure how close the schooling is from me I think about 2hrs
How long were you and your buddies with the mentor before going out alone? About to get my permit and start the academy and trying to figure out a rough timeline. Great video about the process. Thanks
@@trajectory6606 I went to work for a guy who did 4 in the Marine Corps then went Army. I did 26 in the AF myself. The first of the month is always a great day. That coupled with VA concurrent receipt makes it worth it. 16 more years, then become a driver.
Its going pretty good. I can not complain I enjoy what I do. The school is paid for in a year. If you work 2 years they will reimburse you every paycheck for paying the year before
Hallo how long do you want to be in trucking business and just wanna know what you are experiencing coz I would love to also join the game any advice please
I have a ram mcnally but I hear really good things about garmin. But at the end of the day the gps is just a reference when going through towns you gotta look for the truck route signs
@@Dreamingbigent between the 2 go for swift. Western express is for the people who can't get a job at other companies lol. They also charge you a 1$ a mile if you go off route which is dumb
They just hired some more drivers for this account and I'm the only one near pc and work is slowing down so I'm not too sure but ruan trucking in marianna is always hiring
I did greyhound from Miami to Indy when I tried CR England back in 2008...... Will never do greyhound again 🤣 transferred busses in Atlanta. Someone also got robbed there and cops were all over it lol. Then they lost my bags in Chicago. Then transferred again to Indy. Cops were there waiting for someone that was on our bus 🤣 3 days on that bus going there, not counting the waiting in between transfers. man I tell ya by the time I got to CR Englands terminal to check in, I wasn't a happy camper. And then I got sent home the next day cause my recruiter fed me BS. For one they weren't recruiting in South Florida 🤣 and then she told me it was totally ok to do the medical there, if anything I could get anything fixed while there, NOPE! Failed for vision. So another 3+ day ride back to Florida. That whole thing killed trucking for me back then sadly. The vision I got done the same week lol but I was done with it. Now trying to get back into it
Don’t get your CDL through Swift. Go to a private school, and either finance, and get Swift or another megacarrier to pay it off while you work for them for a year. The Automatic restriction is a lot worse than they play it off. Most good paying, local jobs require you to be able to drive a manual. It’s a huge pain in the ass process to get rid of that restriction.
@@NyllaRaee there are a number of loan option with most FMCSA accredited schools. There’s also federal aid. Contact your local EDD office and find out what’s available.
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 I don’t know what to do now I’m eating one meal a day. Not making my bills my lights are going off soon I work at. A gas station and it does not pay the bills I just want to better myself
BECARFULL FOR NEW DRIVERS The school was Ok, the mentor was good, but after the graduation, they promise for inexperience driver at least 1000 per week, but if they complete 5 days of work and gets what, the dispatchers are sure the drivers get stock with no trailer, wrong directions, no answer the phone, anyway they do everything for doesn't give you the 5 days driving and the inexperience drivers get paid no more than 400 a week which means you have to sleep in the truck for 2 o 3 days with no paid, no decent conditions for less than 400. is been 2 weeks and it's been the same situation week after week. That's the way Swiff transportation makes money?
I have never had any problems with swift that wasn't handled within the hour or right after a 10. If you have so many issues you just gotta find someone else to call/ a different driver leader
So if you work for swift then they will just take it out of your check the first year which is like 80$ a week. Your 2ed year you'll be getting reimbursed
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932thanks for replying. yeah i understand they take it out your check. Over here in california its $8000 +$750 housing i just wanted to know if its the same in your state?
Benny sent me here. Driving a truck has always been a dream so I have really enjoyed these videos! Thanks
I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm from Florida as well. I didn't go through Swift to get my CDL but people keep asking me questions about it so thanks for the info.
Blessings OwnerlyOTRTrucking! Thank you for sharing your review with SWIFT Transportation Driver Academy. I am so grateful they decided to fly me out to Memphis, TN out of Atlanta. My ride through Greyhound would have been 18-hrs. We are staying in a great hotel with a full breakfast included. Yes, class is now 8-5 Monday thru Friday with weekends off. I was bless to have everything completed before arriving, but they did do another UA test, but all good. I am entering my third week to learn the ends-and-outs of our future trucks. Looking forward to the OTR experience. Thank you for the REVIEW. Awesome information.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND VIDEOS'
Ms. B w/EE that's me!
That's so awesome I wish you the best of luck :)
As a 27 yr medical retired Driver + 10 yrs Bus...I've been watching Trucker videos & yours is 👏👏👏 great 4 Newbies I worked for Swift for 4 yrs got a service award each yr..Enjoy & watch what you can create...
You have a really nice truck. I've been driving for 21 years and I have never driven a brand new truck. You seem to be a really intelligent driver which is lacking these days, from all generations I might add. Keep up the good work, stay safe, work safe and eat right and you'll go far.
When you took your written test/knowledge test, were you able to take it onesection at a time
The freightliners cascadias have a great option to weather play with the manual or automatic the RPMs are a little bit different than a regular manual regarding shifting.. probably because of their economic status
What was your pay like for the first month with being an orientation/trainer driver pay and then now being solo
I already am pretty familiar with pretrip as I run heavy equipment which has pretrips i understand its probably a little different
Cuz I took a Greyhound from Upstate NY ALL the way down to North Carolina on the beach.., that ride sucked bro..
Getn ready to go to Richmond, VA. Swift Academy here in the next 2 weeks.. Got my CDL-A just need a Re-Train.. Much Respect Bro💯🙏🏽
From Ocala FL myself man, getting my cdl class a permit here soon and plan on going through to swift for all that stuff. Hope I dont have a crappy experience but looking forward to learning how to do this.
Great story coming in the Business & I have SEEN many like you come in & can barely eat i hope Trucking Companies SEE THAT
you're driving an automatic rig....do you have a restriction on driving manual on your CDL or did you train with a manual and they just put you into a automatic tractor??
New vegas damn that is an awesome mentor, taking you there
Can i use my DOT CARD that I already have from my CLASS B CDL job?
what part of florida you from and did you test in auto or manual
Remember you are in their Truck & new filming rules are out for Truckkng Companies Success On & Happy Trails 🚛 🚚 🚛 🙏
Thank You for the info ! 🙂👍
Your Swift Academy experience sounds a lot like my orientation session with Schneider in Charlotte, NC back in 2010. I opted to get my CDL through the community college so I wouldn't be on the hook with any particular company. Picked Schneider because their orientation class was only 2 hours from home and they were offering southeast regional runs. Did my 1-week classroom/road orientation learning the "Schneider way" and the class was packed. Some were switching companies and others were newbs like me. I would say the majority of the class was on their last dollar and the motel Schneider put everyone up at was a dump from what the others were saying. Thankfully, I knew ahead of time about the motel and picked a different one at my own expense. Schneider gave meal tickets so you could eat at their hub's cafeteria and ran a shuttle between the hub and motel. Curious to know if all new Swift drivers get an automatic rig. APU on board to run A/C? If not, how is Swift on idling the truck to run A/C while sleeping?
We have a bunk heater. And we have opti idle on all trucks other then international which means the truck will turn on and off after you set the ac temperature. We have a fridge and inverters
And yes all automatic trucks
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 hai bro i liked your video its awesome ❤️✨️
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 pls do more vedios😇💕
New Vegas...haha Brings back old memories, I'm a Fallout fan.
Do they do the road test at the same location not ad DMV? I currently have my permit with all endorsement
Yes they will do the road test there
I’m about to go to the academy in June. Is there a mentor you recommend? I also live just south of Ocala.
Did you pass the pre trip inspection
very good its about to be alot question from people
A swift location is right here in Georgia(Metro Atlanta) "Decatur, GA". Not sure if it's a training school there. Would be very convenient for me. I could still work my CLASS B CDL job, while I train for my CLASS A CDL.
Look the truth of the matter is everybody overthinks the straight line back guy in our class could not get it after while he finally got it he got a perfect score on his driving test
Well to make a long story short...
How much did they start you out at cpm ? Also, I am a former OTR driver with Navajo Express. I did 1 year with Navajo. I am a yard jockey now. I have almost have 2 years in jockey work.
It depends on where you're running but my local account pays .54 cpm
I just applied starting progress
Do they test for alcohol? is it a problem if you drink occasionally, 3-4 beers once a month.
I mean no but you can't have any beer in the truck or be driving with any in your system
Is it true that Swift isn't hiring recent grads from a private CDL school? Is hair follicle required, or just UA?
Not sure about that but they do require a hair follicle test
How does it work if you don't live near a hub say it's 5 hours away would I drive there to get my truck everytime?
No park the truck near your place
Appreciate you getting back to me trying to decide what company is a good fit can't wait to get started!
Middle 90 I went thru Memphis when MS CARRiEr had the school
I took the permit test and passed on the first try and got my permit before even applying for trucking school. At the DMV for the CDL permit You have to take general knowledge, air brakes, and combinations. Anything else is extra/endorsements
I ask for endorsement since I wanted hazmat and tanker but the tester refused to let me, never said why
Same here. I just had to take combinations since i already have class b. Tryna upgrade
Man I failed first time! idk how yall do it! I got too rocky but after I passed general knowledge failed the other two, next time I passed air brakes failed combo and now I'm waiting for hopefully my final test run!
@@chechenko_9430for hazmat you need to get a background check from TSA
Do swift pay you during schooling?
I’m currently employed and I can’t afford not to get payed. I watched something that they have you in hotel until you done with the schooling. Is that true? Im not sure how close the schooling is from me I think about 2hrs
No you get paid when you go out with your mentor you do not get paid for about 3 weeks during the schooling until you get a mentor to go otr with
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 ok. I was wondering can you choose a mentor? Like from a different company?
Should you save up some money before starting the class/ school?
So out of the gate what did your earn per mile if I could ask?
Thank you for this video
Do you get a fuel card? Are you allowed to bring your family on the road with you? Also are you allowed to keep the truck idle during your reset time?
Yes you get a fuel card. After your first month solo you can bring 1 passenger I believe. And yes you can idle
Air brakes,General knowledge & combination is how you get your permit.Also a physical from a doctor
How long were you and your buddies with the mentor before going out alone? About to get my permit and start the academy and trying to figure out a rough timeline. Great video about the process. Thanks
About a month
Do they pay for the hotel while you re in your academy journey?
Yes and no you pay it back in your pay checks
I can’t wait to get out of the Marine Corps and start trucking. I have a year and a half left still
Stay in. My son-in-law got out after four years and really regrets it. I’m a truck driver.
@@OfficialKnoxYankee I appreciate the advice but no way I’m staying in. It’s hard to explain but many many others feel just like me.
@@trajectory6606 I went to work for a guy who did 4 in the Marine Corps then went Army. I did 26 in the AF myself. The first of the month is always a great day. That coupled with VA concurrent receipt makes it worth it. 16 more years, then become a driver.
@@trajectory6606 You 0311 by chance? Not that I'm talking crap on 0311 but I could see why you're trying to look more at your future because of it.
Dude become a firefighter
Who was you mentor, I’m planning on coming to swift for my OTR training, and want to run hard like you were.
Jeffrey out of greer sc
great video. question: when do you start getting paid after training ?
As soon as you go out with your mentor
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 okay awesome going to start next month , thanks for the reply!
So does swift take you to dmv for your behind the wheel
No they test you at the place where they train you then they upload the scores and your dmv will retrieve them when you go get your cdl
How long does it take to remember the pretrip
A very long time
How is it going? How long is your contact with Swift? Is it 6 month or a year?
Its going pretty good. I can not complain I enjoy what I do. The school is paid for in a year. If you work 2 years they will reimburse you every paycheck for paying the year before
Brother I road to Memphis Tn from Ga back in 04 I’ll never in my life do that shit again. I’d walk before I ever road a gray hound.
Hallo how long do you want to be in trucking business and just wanna know what you are experiencing coz I would love to also join the game any advice please
What gps do you recommend for trucking ?
I have a ram mcnally but I hear really good things about garmin. But at the end of the day the gps is just a reference when going through towns you gotta look for the truck route signs
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 copy rn I’m local so maybe around June I’ll go to swift or western express
@@Dreamingbigent between the 2 go for swift. Western express is for the people who can't get a job at other companies lol. They also charge you a 1$ a mile if you go off route which is dumb
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 copy thanks for the advice
Don't forget that you also have Amtrak
I’ll be attending CDL Academy through swift real soon…I’m excited 😆
That is awesome it is definitely a life changing thing but I'm sure you will enjoy it!
Ayy use my driver code as a reference! 457307
I went on Monday first day
Good ol fallout😂😂🤘🏻
What’s your reference code? I’ll be there in a few weeks
Referral code is! 457307.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Pensacola😂😂😂😂
This was good info but the best part for me was watching him go 5 or more miles over the speed limit through out the video...😄😄😄
Like clockwork baby
Hey man I live in Panama City Florida is it possible if I join Swift could I get on a dedicated route like you in that area
They just hired some more drivers for this account and I'm the only one near pc and work is slowing down so I'm not too sure but ruan trucking in marianna is always hiring
"Pull ups" aren't those like Huggies? Lol
Every swift driver gets some. For those bad days on the road
Man you and riding with dave got some similar voices lol
It's always weird hearing my own voice in the videos always sounds different irl
ikr i thought the same lol, voice + accent 4 real
You live in the same state as jim root. I have his custom guitar
I did greyhound from Miami to Indy when I tried CR England back in 2008...... Will never do greyhound again 🤣 transferred busses in Atlanta. Someone also got robbed there and cops were all over it lol. Then they lost my bags in Chicago. Then transferred again to Indy. Cops were there waiting for someone that was on our bus 🤣 3 days on that bus going there, not counting the waiting in between transfers. man I tell ya by the time I got to CR Englands terminal to check in, I wasn't a happy camper. And then I got sent home the next day cause my recruiter fed me BS. For one they weren't recruiting in South Florida 🤣 and then she told me it was totally ok to do the medical there, if anything I could get anything fixed while there, NOPE! Failed for vision. So another 3+ day ride back to Florida. That whole thing killed trucking for me back then sadly. The vision I got done the same week lol but I was done with it. Now trying to get back into it
Wow. That is insane hopefully if you try to get back into it hopefully it'll work out for you
Lying
@@HotepHooliganSupreme lol if you say so chief
Can you do a video on swift drug testing
What type of drug test are required for the academy
Hair and urine test
Why would they send you to Memphis if you’re from Florida and there’s a terminal in ocala?
For training
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 isn’t there training in ocala??
@@nobull772 not when I went to do the training
Did Swift pay for your meals while you were there in Memphis?
No I think they only paid for one lunch at the terminal
I would like information on Swift Academy
Would you say swift really wants u to pass because you will work for them . And it's better for them you know
Of course they want you to pass. It's also better for you because if you don't pass your gonna have to pay for the schooling
Wow really that will suck huh
Running a yellow light not allowed, wow.
Vegas In the house
What gps are you using
Ram mcnally
All y'all got restrictions on all your licenses or they make you learn on a manual?
If you go to a swift terminal then your stuck with automatic but they sent my buddy to a private school and tested out in a manual
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 tough driving a manual for semi tractor trailer you got to have 150% focus at all times
Don’t get your CDL through Swift. Go to a private school, and either finance, and get Swift or another megacarrier to pay it off while you work for them for a year. The Automatic restriction is a lot worse than they play it off. Most good paying, local jobs require you to be able to drive a manual. It’s a huge pain in the ass process to get rid of that restriction.
They still have manuals?? They going extinct.
@@robbrown3941 if you only want to drive for megacarriers it’s not a problem.
This is easier said. Finding 5k upfront is not easy
@@NyllaRaee there are a number of loan option with most FMCSA accredited schools. There’s also federal aid. Contact your local EDD office and find out what’s available.
@@aarons.7271 I can’t get a loan my credit is terrible. I couldn’t find any federal aid in my state either
Do you get pay for training?
Only when your actually in the truck with your trainer. Not at the academy
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 so should we have or start saving money before we start the program?
😂
Hope you enjoyed the video glad you found it funny make sure you hit that like button it really helps out
Application
You sound just like Dave
uuummm
Did you have JV as your instructor ? 🤣
For the first week?
I'm not sure who jv is lol i had a guu named Jaffrey but he's now at Walmart
I’m calling swift tommorow. Well I would subscribe but UA-cam won’t let me
Good luck bud
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 they told me I’m not eligible
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 I don’t know what to do now I’m eating one meal a day. Not making my bills my lights are going off soon I work at. A gas station and it does not pay the bills I just want to better myself
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 I’m so depressed
@@creepymcpeepers why aren't you eligible?
BECARFULL FOR NEW DRIVERS The school was Ok, the mentor was good, but after the graduation, they promise for inexperience driver at least 1000 per week, but if they complete 5 days of work and gets what, the dispatchers are sure the drivers get stock with no trailer, wrong directions, no answer the phone, anyway they do everything for doesn't give you the 5 days driving and the
inexperience
drivers get paid no more than 400 a week which means you have to sleep in the truck for 2 o 3 days with no paid, no decent conditions for less than 400. is been 2 weeks and it's been the same situation week after week. That's the way Swiff transportation makes money?
I have never had any problems with swift that wasn't handled within the hour or right after a 10. If you have so many issues you just gotta find someone else to call/ a different driver leader
This week's check after tax and insurance I'm taking home 970. As a company driver
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 how many days did you run that week
Beatriz. What terminal were you working out of?
This comment is a bot, I've seen this same exact comment on every swift video I've seen.
How much is tuition ?
So if you work for swift then they will just take it out of your check the first year which is like 80$ a week. Your 2ed year you'll be getting reimbursed
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932thanks for replying. yeah i understand they take it out your check. Over here in california its $8000 +$750 housing i just wanted to know if its the same in your state?
@@itravel24 I'm not sure of the exact numbers but I'm pretty sure it's not that high
It’s about 7k only around 2k if you work a year, they take out 80 and give back 40 every week the first year
Do they make the appoiment at the dmv or is that something you set up your self
Don't get me started on New Vegas cause patrolling the Mojave will make wish for a nuclear winter!
Well we might just get that for Christmas lol
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 I hope not I live in the actual area, 90 miles outside of Vegas in Arizona! lol I just got a Marty Robbins vibe now.
@@ownleyotrtrucking1932 it seems like you encountered strict examiners with low passing rate? Dat means Memphis has strict examiners
Fallout.
Driving illegal with that gps rookie. Swift has so many rookie's. Surprised tho you ain't staying in the left lane like the rest of your comrades.
Can't watch this. You can't stay on point.
Fallout 🫶🏼
😂