Im not exactly sure where to put this, but im gonna just leave it here because I feel this needs to be addressed, and reddit is a commie cesspool I refuse to go back to.
So, for the past 6 years, ive had my CDL B, and ive driven bus. Ive worked really hard to get this point, where im debt free, and in charge of my life. But I hated my job. People treated me like dirt, and I just got sick of it after 4 years of driving for a city thats hates my guts. So I took my benefits and got out while I could.
This last week I contacted Swift transportation. I heard about their CDL program that would allow me to obtain my class A over a 2 week period. I applied, talked to a recruiter, went out and got my CDL A permit right away, and was shipped off to school 3 hours away just this past tuesday. So, I get there, and they put me up in this crummy hotel with a leaking ceiling and a fucked up microwave/fridge combo. I stay the night and head to class on a shuttle that arrives at 6am. We get to the 'academy', and im told that they wont even admit me or 3 others into the class because of covid.
Now im pissed. There are only 7 people in this class, and im not one of them. They wanted me to leave and come back next week, or hang out and see if they can weed out those who are unqualified. So I chill, and they finally call me in to let me into the classroom, and they kick out 3 people and send them home. Some come from as far away as 3 states, and it felt shitty to make them drive back home and come back.
Anyway, I am immediately forced to take another physical because the one I took 2 months prior, and paid for, just wasnt good enough. And I was pissed about that too. Then they tell me that class is only 3 days a week, and its 12 hours a day. Then im told I need to complete 40 hours of class work before I can start driving, which is just complete BS. And then they tell me ill be OTR only, with no home time, which I didnt want, and that ill be driving automatic trucks only and ill have a restriction on my license. By now, im livid. I spent the next 8 hours reviewing information and they lied about all of it. They even forced a couple of people to do the full 3 weeks, even though they had paid big money to take a 40 hour book course the week before. My recruiter was silent on everything, and refused to call me back.
So now, I am jobless, and ive got a permit I cant do anything with. I packed my shit up and got the hell out of there. Im not sure where ill go next pedes. I have enough cash left from my last job to hold me over for a few months, but I hope ill find something soon. Bottom line is, DO NOT GO TO SWIFT FOR ANYTHING. They aint even worth a second glance.
Oh, and the cost of the course was $6,000. If I left within the first 3 days, they didnt charge me. So I left on day 2. I saved myself a lot of cash, and a lot of headache.
I am skim reader...did I miss which part of the states you are in?
Oh dear, I guess that got cut off or something while I was making a copy. Im from Ohio, one of the strictest states to get a cdl in. Some of the people who were sent home were from kentucy, virginia, michigan, and a few even farther south and north than that. They screwed these people HARD.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Good job saving the money. I went through something similar myself. A lot of schools like that are scams. They work the student debt angle for big bucks and your stuck with the debt. You might try checking out a community college. The one near me (Nebraska) has one last I checked. It's been a while though. I hope this works out for you.
I know you've only had your cdl for 6 years, but fyi, swift is the joke of the trucking world. Also look into garage companies or even local shit pumpers. I work with several guys that pump shit on the side, only a cdl b is required. There will always be garbage and always be shit that people need to get rid of.
Jesus, could your user name be any closer to latrine? Coincidence?
Haha it's actually let rain. I wanted let it rain, but then it'd be le tit rain. If you need work it's a paycheck. Shit always flows. May even help you get your class A.
I plan on hitting up garbage and roll back companies. If they want to train me on cdl a they can, or ill just keep my current endorsements and keep on trucking. I know ill never reach the $23 an hour threshold I was at driving bus, but as long as I can make a living and do what I want, ill be happy.
They might help you get your class A. It'd be cheaper that way. On the job training can replace schooling if your company says you had so many hours of training.