Starting out at 22 years old

I've recently decided that I want to be a truck driver, but feel uneasy on the many things about the trade that I don't know. I done some brief research into the matter, but that has only provided more questions than answers. So I humbly ask for your wisdom on such matters.

Firstly, I have no CDL training whatsoever, and am unsure where to get said training. Of the places I've looked, there have been mixed opinions about independent schools, and training courses that larger companies offer in return for a contract. My current location in CT basically gives me two options for the former (NETTTS and Allstate), if I go this route I'm not sure if employment will be easy to get. So which would be the better choice? Go with a private school or one of the big companies? I've heard good(ish) things about Prim INC, but I'm not sure if I'll someone get shafted by them. This kind of brings me to my second concern.

Looking at a few of the companies offering training, it seems they have very rigorous background checks in both employment and criminal history. My latest employment ended in being fired (Eating food a co-worker brought to me unknowing that it wasn't paid for - bogus, but their no tolerance policy boned me). The year before this I got a citation for cannabis possession. Stupid, I know, but I paid the ticket. What worries me is that a potential employer will look at this and send me home before I even start training. Will the possession even show up on their background check? Am I worried over nothing, or have I screwed myself over?

I suppose I might sound naive here, but I think this something I want to do with my life. I know the hours are demanding, the jobs stressful, and ultimately a solitary experience will little time to visit home. But I think I'm okay with that.

Thanks for any responses, greatly appreciated.

 

North Western area, near torrington.

 

No, I hadn't considered it an option. Is the contract option really that bad? I mean I'm going to have to pay for the training either way, either through loans or through paychecks. The contract option seems to get my foot in the door and a year of experience under my belt.

 

So it seems my age might be a problem here. Will my odds of employment be better if I get my CDL on my own, and companies can see that I'm capable? Or will every one just see me as a liability?