Best path to become a trucker ?!

After a lot of thought, research, doin my homework, planning, considering how I need to alter my life to become a trucker, I AM GOING FOR IT !!!

Here's where I would like some guidance, input. There are generally two ways to get into the OTR world.

I can go to a CDL school (1 month) then sign on with a trucking company for the orientation (3 days) then the riding with a trainer thing (varying from 3 weeks to 3 months), then be in my own company assigned truck and hittin the road solo.

OR

Go directly to a company that will get me my CDL permit and teach me the basics of maneuvering a truck at orientation (4 days), then hit the road with a trainer (3-4 weeks), come back and pass my skills test and get my CDL, then hit the road 4-6 months with a trainer then become a company driver with my own truck.

It almost seems better to go straight to the company but I'm not sure I like the idea of being on the road with a trainer for 6 months. And I'm not sure I wanna start out my trucking career being out 4-6 weeks at a time. So would it be better in the long run to spend a lot of time with a trainer or enough time to get comfortable behind the wheel and then just jump off the high dive ? And would the adjustment into the truckers life be easier if started out being out on the road somewhat shorter periods at a time, say, 2-3 weeks at a time instead of 4-6 weeks at a time ? I'm not the wimpy kind but I don't wanna start out my career with the possibility of getting too overwhelmed and discouraged.

 

Well, if I go to school, it will require a student loan (which I have obtained) and getting signed on with a company that will reimburse the majority of it. Plus, I'd better get with a company quick (though I don't wanna rush and choose the wrong one) or I won't have any way to pay the loan back. The thought of leaving for oriention soon after I get through school appeals to me and I'm already leaning towards one company and the idea of knowing I already have a good chance of having a job within weeks of finishing appeals to me. I've read some horror stories of this company but as some on this board have said, it's all about paying your dues. You see, I'm closing my business (nothing related to trucking) to set out on this adventure. As I stated, I've been checking this board out for days and read all the good and bad and the pitfalls of trucking but still feel it's what I wanna do. I know it'll be work, and I know that there is a period of "we own you" and working for a company only because they will give you the miles you need to be able to gain experience and then you're in a better position to get with a better company.