Afternoon friends,
This trucker "wannabe" is seeking any/all helpful information from exp/newbie drivers who trained and/or have worked in the SoCalifornia areas. I want to get connected to a reputable California LTL outfit who sponsors your training and hires ya right out of school. I don't mind paying my dues as the term goes and doing some non-dedicated regional stuff (e.g., west, s/w, n/w, etc), but, I remain hopeful for something fairly quick and dedicated in the Inland Empire, OC and/or desert locations of Cali. I've been researching Interstate Distributor & Con-Way, just to name a couple. Can anyone throw out a few more outfits local to my area (Inland Empire / desert) that usually have openings and sponsor your training?? Right now It may be kinda hard for me to pull off the school myself thing as my wife and I are in the beginning stages of a Chapter 13 BK and financing most likely will be difficult to achieve and, I don't have $1500-$2500 in extra funds to spend. If there is a pay-as-ya-go option available, I'm game for that. As far as any OTR, long haul gigs go, I am still a dedicated daddy to 2-kids under 15 yrs and my wife is a F/T teacher. They would not like it one bit if I was gone for days/weeks at a time, uh-uh and no way. If it was just me and the other half, maybe. Thanks in advance for any direction that is dispensed my way.

Peace from the San Jacinto Valley, Riv. Cty, CA USA

Conway is a good way to go. I know they'll train ya, and if ya stay on for a year(?), ya don't have to pay back the tuition. Your gonna handle freight(workin the docks), but you will make a good solid living for you and your family. I know a few of their drivers and their all happy and have been there for many years.

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Hey BNB... I really appreciate the feedback on Con-Way. I've actually read some real positive things on them. Their website states that they are on some type of Fortune 500 top companies to work for list. The company I work for at the moment performs some ship/receive functions and I've helped process incoming drops from Con-Way drivers. They seem like a good bunch of guys. As far as performing dockwork, in addition to driving, that's nothing to me. I used to load/unload trailers years back and didn't mind it at all. I sure as h*ll don't mind pulling multiple duties as long as I'm paid accordingly. Having the CDL will raise my stock and get me some valuable road experience. As soon as my kids come of age (18+), I might just move over to OTR gigs, GOD (and my wife) willing. I saved a list I found in this forum of a few others freight companies that pull local SoCal runs. I think I'll be in good shape. I'm getting ready to test for the permit at the DMV and then, I'll see what happens from there. Thanks Bud.