new TEXAS newbie looking for a right start, OTR

hello. ive been wanting to drive trucks for awhile now. I just turned 23 now, and have been living on my own since age 17. Ive worked all kinds of jobs and now it seems time to make more serious cash and get into a "career". I have no family, no responsiblities. My only goal is to make as much money as possible(im a hardworker, i dont mind the miles/hours etc) and to not be unloading/loading trailers. Im just looking to primarly drive OTR cross country i dont care.(eventually after getting a year or so exp, i can get picked up with some friends of mine that haul crude/water and sand down to the oil field.) Like i said. main thing is looking for as much work as possible, and a good training/contract/company to get my first year done with thats located in TX, now as far as i know. CRST and FFE are the only two i know that are in Dallas, I currently live in San Antonio, and theres a roadmaster school here, which looks good, but im looking for imeddate pay and to have a "secure" job. Main thing for me is i would just perfer to drive, i dont mind driving long distances, meeting new people, thats part of who i am, its more the loading/unloading part that i dont want to/physically just wouldnt be good for me( car accident in germany, metal plate in my pelvis). Is that even plausible, im pretty sure there are companies out there that dont require you to load product,/trailer. just pick up and drop. also as far as being in TX are there any other companies to suggest?

From what i have been reading on here for the past couple hours, CRST is not looking so hot, and i had a buddy that grad FFE, he said to do that over CRST yet, he still found a local job after being out his first time after graduated (still owing FFE money).

thats not me though, im looking at this for the long run, I have already studied and know the CDL handbook specific for TX, thought about going to take the knowledge test, but dont know if there is any point if i will be forced to grad a school within a company and start with them for my first year.

(i can pass the written forsure. not to worried about that), i would just have to provide my own rig for the driving/air brakes on-road test - which is possible..(would have to rent one) but just seems almost the better route to join/contract with a company, that will save me all the hassle , i will learn even more/be more comfortable with the trucks, and have a some what garranteed job after grad.

If anyone has any insight that would be greatly appreciated. i love driving, period, and am excited(the word i used for slightly scared hah) to get in a 5 axle tractor trailer. jokes aside.

if theres a better route please let me know, like if i were to go take and pass the written test, then i would have my permit, and maybe that would help with placement(probably not) if if it is my best bet to contract and if so. at this point im guessing FFE, yet im still reading interesting/negative things about them being a team driver set up.

sorry if im scatter brained, and as ive researched i know you have herd things like this time and time again.

i really appreciate any and all responses, hopefully i can have some insight to whats my next step.

-Abug

 

okay thank you KMac. ill deff look into them.
@chinatown i looked at the bottom, but most of which im not eligable, even though i support myself.



I understand the usefulness of team driving for training, but i think in the end i would be looking to go single.

and im looking for a company that can take me on, with no grat or money up front. i dont mind the contract, as long as the company is decent. you have to start somewhere with a year + exp

 

would be interested in PAM transport, and i hear, looks like schneider is a good company. anymore info/evaluations would be appreciated. and this stevens transport? have you gone through there program?

 

chinatown, thank you once again. i do appreciate it. but im not totally incompetent. i have read all the stickyed threads FAQ and the about companies providing training list. i was just curious for Texas specific. and if thats the right road to take or if me going to a DOT license office taking and passing the written test(providing me with a permit, no?) would help out at all or not.

thanks again. stevens looks promissing, i guess i will be making alot of calls tomorrow.
as far as the driving record is concerned. i had a speeding ticket in 2010( i left for germany before i could go to the court date) and its a simple traffic warrant. thats something i will need to be cleared up before i apply yes?

this is really my dream and i really dont need anything fudging it up. i appreciate all the speedy responses though.

- what a great community- putting up with the same questions week after week.