I'm 22 years old and finishing college next year but I am thinking about taking a year off to help start paying these loans before I get buried! I've talked over my options with a couple of my old bosses, both used to drive. They said that I could do a training program with a large carrier like Swift, get my CDL, ride out my contract, and then use what I earn to pay tuition and loans. I don’t think it sounds like a bad idea and I def want to go back to finish school. I have come too far to drop out now. I can see the country and trucking would beat flipping burgers, wouldn't it? What do you all think I should do?
He said he was going back to college ...read it again man !!!
ARE YOU SERIOUS? WHY? Why don t you start working in the field you chose to?mygawd!!!! you leave a field that you arguably liked and went to school for,got a career in the field.... and now you want to walk away....for a year, you say...that sounds the most foolish idea I ve heard today, so you go to driving school,then the driver's conveyor belt at Swift training period,after 3 months you ll be taking home about 700 to 900.00 (if you are lucky)...What did you go to college for? liberal arts? political science?. you can be a cook and you ll make more money in the end than if you wasted your time with Swift....of course driving recruiters and driving schools recruiters lie,that s their job to get you in. If you were my kid,I d advice you against it,bc there are better options,unless you did it as an adventure,a hobby or for the adrenaline rush,but not as a career,not when you are a college grad. Best of luck anyway.
There is only one person who is in charge of your progression, and that person is you.
Don't even think about it
You should do it. Becarful you may like it and just stay with it.
You can do it Elijah, I wish I stayed in school, I'm an old man now
If you want to get your student loans paid off do not go with a mega fleet such as swift knight find ya a mom and pop joint and run like hell you'll have them paid off in no time.
I am a current swift driver, if you want to see the country then go on vacation you wont see much but truck stops, customers and the road although you'll see plenty of beautiful views you are normally on a schedule for pickup or delivery. Think about it before you do this, you will be adding to your student loan debt first before you pay off any of the existing debt, truck driving isn't for everyone, in my class there was 10 students 4 passed through the course, 1 didn't make it through training, the other 2 didn't make it 6 months not even half of the contract, you would owe swift if you didn't make it the first year. I'm the only one out of my class still with swift over a year later
That is a dilemma to figure out. To be honest. I would stay in school, and get a part time job that will be flexible with you. I know; Sounds simple right, but hard to do. See if you quit school now it won't be simple to pick up where you left off. Life happens. You don't want to end up later wishing you went back or didn't take the time off. You are young. Take the time to make this happen now. I am not saying that it can't happen later. It is possible for where the will is; there is the way. I am saying. Think about this carefully. At the end you will do what you feel is best for you.
Lots of companies will train and or pay for your training. But be careful and research the company first. Most will work you like a salve, try and talk you into buying a truck and some make you sign contracts that if you leave early you have to pay your way out. Avoid Swift, Prime, and Covenant. They are nothing but driver mills and Swift drivers are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road. I see more wrecked Swift trucks then anything