Question from a retired vet

From one vet to another, you do

 

If you like driving all through the nite instead of sleeping then choose reefer.

 

Hi swamp, 1st, welcome aboard, and thank-you for your service. Like Anchor says, you make the call. Flatbed has it's advantages, but can be very labor intensive. Tanker is probably the best trucking job out there, but many drivers know that, and positions, especially for new drivers, rarely come up, but it does happen. I'd suggest, being a new driver, to go into van work. I think reefer pays more, or it used to, but can be pretty trying, with delivery places and reefer trailers in general, although, modern reefers are pretty dependable, if you keep fuel in them, that is. Like I say, van work is usually a good way to start trucking, pretty cut and dry, and you can move on from there. Good luck.

 

I'm a reefer driver and I drive primarily days, early AM to mid afternoon (typically ) if I have a delivery I accommodate the appt time into my schedule.

 

Prime is a very good place to get your training. Their training is longer than most and there is a reason for it...they want you to be prepared and feel more comfortable before they kick you out of the nest.

The good part about paying for your own CDL school (though you didn't ask) is you aren't tied to a particular company for a period of time; there is a lot to learn about any company. The bad part is you have to pay for it yourself, though many companies offer reimbursement over time ... and you will still be with a trainer for a period of time, usually 4-8 weeks.

So do your studying and analyzing, then make the choice of companies that best fits your needs and wants. Best of luck.

 

Here's some reefer outfits that pay for community college CDL school plus lodging and meals:

KLLM - Hinds Community College in Mississippi)
Maverick (has reefer division) - University of Arkansas @ Newport
Southern Refrigerated Transport - University of Arkansas @ Texarkana

More refrigerated:

Earl L. Henderson Trucking - trucks have Tripac APU's/pays for private CDL school, lodging and meals.
Midwest-coast Transport - based in Auburndale, FL - not sure how their program works. Name of school is MCT.
Celadon - has their own school and provides lodging & meals.

 

I think Long Haul out of Albertville MN has a Program for new drivers who have served and all trailers are Conestogas and trucks no more than like 4-5 yrs old or so
pay is percentage

 

I believe Schneider has, or did, have a program for vets. They have all types of equipment from which you can choose to operate. Millis, Roehl, US Xpress, Covenant, Swift and CRST are a few who have training programs. All of them pull vans. Some may have other divisions for flats, etc., Good luck with the new career.

 

Prime is good place to start with. I did a bunch of research before I retired back in Aug and I decided to come to prime because of the training and because i got in the tanker div as a new driver.