Fantacmet
Portland,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, September 02, 2007
I myself am scheduled to start working for Swift. I was scheduled for their Academy, but ran into some of the same interesting things you did. Before I get into that though, your brother would normally be right about the CDL Permit. However, just like Schneider, their training grounds are on private property, where you do not need a permit, or a license. They would get you your license before letting you drive on the road with the mentor, and do all the prior training on private property where no permit is needed. The issue with the contractors is dead on. I finally managed to talk to Swift directly, after talking to IITR. My issue is Swift until about a month and a half ago had a training facility right here in town where I live. However Oregon State law says that all employee training must be paid at an hourly wage, so my guess is, that is why Swift closed down the location here. However the day after I spoke to a recruiter and "set everything up" it turns out Swift had made a deal with IITR to train it's drivers. You get a loan undersigned by CEO of IITR, and then Swift will take 35 dollar a check out, and after you have fulfilled your contract, they give that money back to you. Even if they don't, you still got yourself a good driving education, and a year of experience under your belt, and were able to make small payments on it, instead of the full tuition up front. IITR does alot of on the road training, so you are responsible for PAYING for a CDL permit, IITR helps you get it. Here where I live it's 68 dollars. After all the training is done, it is also your responsibility to pay for the CDL, just like it is after the Swift Academy, the difference is, you don't have to get all the endorsements right away when going through IITR, you can obtain the rest at your leisure, whereas if you go to the Swift academy, you have to get them all. Also at the end of training with IITR, it is your responsibility to pay for the DOT physical(50 bucks) and drug screening(50 bucks). After I had spoken with IITR, they contacted Swift and told them what was up, and Swift made the comment, do NOT speak with the contracted recruiter again, it's a very bad idea. That recruiter never even bothered to file my information with Swift, he was through Driver Central. If you are still interested in Swift without the BS, either give IITR a call, and see if Swift has a contract with the one in your area like they do in Clackamas Oregon, or go to swifttruckingjobs.com/ and deal with Swift directly, bypass the contracted recruiters. After talking with IITR and having them set the scene for me, I contacted the head recruiter at Swift out here, and then I went in, filled out the Swift version of the paperwork, (application) and talked with him. The experience was pleasant, and the atmosphere in the office was very relaxed, instead of stiff and stuffy, which is a good sign. Also a good sign is while it was relaxed it was very oriented towards getting things done. The two combined in my experience, tend to make a good company. In Swift's case, it would make for a good terminal/office. Other terminals or offices may vary. I've known several people over the last 5 years, who have worked for Swift, every one of them who has driven out of the Troutdale Oregon Terminal, has had nothing but good things to say. I wish I could remember the phone number for Swift directly at that Terminal, but I don't, and it's too late at night to get it. I hope this has provided a more neutral, and helpful bit of information for you. the nice thing for me is, I am taking the IITR courses on the weekends, so I can continue to work durign the week to support my family, and I will have my bills paid, and I will have the $$ to pay for the few things I need. You will also of course need the $$ for the 6 weeks on the road with the mentor(which you still have to do even with IITR which is a good thing, other companies choose 6 months), to pay for your food, cigarettes(if you smoke), and showers, or motel rooms if you and the mentor so choose to utilize them.