Any input from anyone here would be appreciated. (advice/etc..)
Here is my situation.. It's time for a career change. While I don't hate my current job, I have no insurance and no retirement at all set up. I'm 37, so I still have plenty of years to work.
While driving truck seems to have it's advantages and disadvantages I'm really leaning towards a career. Most companies seem to have decent benefits and 401K.. profit sharing etc.

Here is my problem. Most schools offered by companies are 3 weeks with no pay and then pretty low pay after that until you start driving. I can't seem to find any company that actually pays you for your time training (and I understand that). But I also cannot afford 3 weeks with no pay since my paycheck is the majority of our families income.

I have been looking, but cannot seem to find any places locally (even within 1-200 miles) that offer weekend classes. Does anybody know of a way I could obtain a CDL around here in Missouri with weekend training?

There is a local tech college that offers weekend training (when enough students are interested). The cost is $2700 which isn't bad, but I don't have that kind of money right now and student loans are not an option. I may just start putting as much as I can aside and it may take awhile but that option wouldn't be bad if I could get a job with someone. At least that way I wouldn't be going through one of the company schools and stuck driving for them for a year like it or not.

I wouldn't mind company training, it's just that I can't go 3 weeks without pay financially.

Try Prime. While they aren't weekend they put you in a truck right off the bat.

What part of Missouri are you from?