Sorry, paullud, but you are basing your statement on one location, the licensing office on the Swift property at Memphis. That was where the raid occurred. And it was subcontracted to a private firm.
So to paint the whole picture with that one paintbrush is not factual, just your opinion. Have you yourself actually gone through Swift's training?
Last year, I decided to go back over the road. I've always done flat bed. So I started calling various companies. All I talked to wanted either recent (within the past year) experience, or be a fresh school grad. They all say it's a insurance compant requirement, but I tend to doubt that. But that's a diff topic.
I called Swift as a last resort (hadn't known they had a flatbed division). Based on my further back than a year verifiable experience, they only required that I go out with a trainer for a min of 4 weeks. Since I'd get paid for that, I went that route.
So I didn't go through their school, either. However, more than half my orientation group was students from their schools. I was put with a trainer, who was excellent. As we went on, he accepted what I knew and refreshed me on a lot of things.
Even with his scoring me high in all aspects of the training, I still had to test out with a driving test, and a flatbed securement test. And you had to score 100% If you didn't, on the road test, you were back out with another trainer. If you didn't on the securement test, you went to the van division.
Upon testing out, we had a meeting with terminal safety manager. Among other things they offered, for new drivers, was if come winter, you were not comfortable with winter driving, you could ask to be placed with a qualified driver for a few weeks, to get some of that experience with the trainer. All you had to do was ask. The same, or similar, was offered for anything else you were unsure of.
Although I was primarily just a truck number with Swift, I was treated good, and had no issues with them. Yes, they are a starter company, with a huge driver turnover, but they are far from the 'worst'. I didn't have any commitment to them, but would have stayed at least a year, to get enough recent experience to go to the flatbed company of my choice. Fortunately, I decided to call the ad that ended up with me back in expediting, driving for a real good owner, and doing well enough that I'll be buying the truck I'm driving.
Again, sorry paullud, but your initial posting came across like one of those counter cowboys at a truck stop. Have a bit of info, and become a expert on it.
