Decisions...

Millis Transfer in Burleson may be a better choice. You only need $500.00 for tuition and that's it. Sometimes they have openings for local jobs around DFW Metroplex. If nothing else, you would have that option in the future if you want a change from OTR. Good paychecks there; drivers average $50K.

You like Raider Express, so put that as a second choice under Millis Transfer. That's my take on it.

 

Hi Sparrow, before you even begin to consider what company to go with, it's extremely important that this is really what you want to do, and not, I'm tired of one career, I'll try trucking. Recruiters will paint a rosy picture for you, but I see many people here that clearly find out quickly, they made a big mistake. It's long hours, tiring, lonely( although cell phones and such have helped) dangerous, frustrating,on and on. It's not like driving to Aunties on Sunday for lunch. Trucks have come a long way in comfort, but have extremely limited mobility, which means, you only have a few options as to where you can go. Problems are the norm, from shippers to receivers to dispatchers to regulations to traffic to weather to mechanical issues.
It can be a good job, I did ok, never got rich, but that was because I wanted some sort of home life and many people do have success, but have to give 110%. Truckers have one of the highest divorce rates in the country, as it cooked my marriage , as well, and I missed a lot of my kids activities, stuff you can't get back.
I've spent over 35 years in this industry, and have done it all, and there are good jobs, but lately, it seems, the only jobs available, is the stuff nobody else wants. People routinely spend 6 months or more looking for a good job.
Personally, I would never recommend someone to go into trucking if they've never done it before. It would be great if you could "ride along" with someone first, to see if it's for you, but that's really hard to do. I've taken people in my truck that had no idea what it was like, and couldn't wait to get out of the truck when we got back.
Remember, it's day after day after day of driving, sometimes, especially OTR, you drive from the time you wake up, until the time you go sleep. Sorry, I don't encourage anyone to go into trucking, especially nowadays. Good luck

 

I think "semi-retired" should join our little club.

 

When I was pulling reefers coast-to-coast, mine rode with me for a while. We delivered a load of butter to Grand Prairie on one of the trips. Fun while it lasted; first baby was on the way' had to stay home. She's from Mainland China.

 

Ha, and you thought YOU had decisions to make. Oh dear.
I hope I didn't bum you out, I just believe in letting people know the facts about trucking. It may be rough to start, as with any new career, and 40-50K is plausible, but like I say, be ready to run, and you'll go from one hassle to the next, although, coming from corrections, you may be used to that. I knew someone that was a county sheriff and worked in corrections for like 12 years, and finally had to get out and went into helping the elderly. Talk about an about face!

 

Nothing yet, wink, wink.