Mornin'

Mornin' and hello. hope y'all doing well.
A bit about myself: I have been thinking of a career driving a truck since high school. I either wanted to cook for a living, or drive for a living. I've been cooking for around 20 yrs and am now making a career change. mostly due to economy, but partly because has been a dream in the back of my head for many years.
I started truck driving school this week; at one of those "cdl mills" I keep hearing nasty things about. but I have been unemployeed from a lay off for a few months, couldn't find work due to location and unreliable transportation to commute with, and no money for tuition. I looked everywhere I could think of for funding, and when couldn't afford apartment anymore - some education is better than nothing.
I decided on school rather than company direct training so I could apply with several companies and try to get on with one that would suit me best to get my first yrs and miles in with. I figure if I put in a few years of good work, prove myself, then I can find my "dream company". I just have to be the best driver I can be, and it should work out from there (fingers crossed, hehe).
I got my learning permit this week, whoohoo, and so far the school is adequate for teaching me what I think I need to know, the basics. I've been told the best training comes after you get in a truck with trainer, and pray I get a good trainer. I just need to pay attention, and ask as many questions as I can think of. all of my instructors are former otr drivers, and all have different opinions on the little details; but all are very open to giving their opinion and advice on any question I've had so far, which I do like a lot. nice friendly group of folks.
I am wanting to be an over the road driver, out 3-6 weeks at a time, couple days off, solo driving. I am going for van, not sure if dry van or reefer yet, but looking into both as options. my main goal is "no touch freight", as much no touch as possible; god bless lumpers. I do plan on getting my hazmat and tanker endorsements when I get my cdl. don't think I want to start out tanker, but would be nice to have to make myself more versatile to a company should they have that division. I don't want to haul hazmat full time, but most companies I've looked at have some hazmat loads, and it does allow me to do more, be more versatile.
I am single, no dependents, no "loved one/significant other", so I have no worries about home time. I want to see the country side, and have a few days now and then to enjoy what bit of money I might have. I would like to find a company that allows pets. I'm a dog person, but I doubt I'll find a company willing to take on a newbie, have 'tuition reimbursement', and let me ride along a pet after I get a few yrs and prove myself that I will not tear up their very expensive piece of equipment. (hehe) I cant blame them. I am a student after all, and I want to be company driver. it is their truck, their expense.
I've got one 'pre-hire' back from Werner, and will be sending in aps for Prime, Schneider, Swift, Stevens, and Rhoel next week. I figure the more options I have, the better. I'm applying with all I can find that seem to have what I'm looking for (otr, tuition reimburse to make school happy, as much 'no touch' as possible) & will pick the one who seems to offer the best options and benefits for the type of driver I wish to be. since I am technically homeless (staying w/ family right now for school) I can relocate to anywhere as long as company has the basics I'm looking for to get my miles and resume built up.
any advice, tips, hints, or suggestions would be helpful and welcome. I know a few folks in the industry, so I not totally oblivious to what I'm getting into. most folks I know are local drivers for smaller companies, but know a few who've done otr.
this got really long really fast. thanks for reading. and if you know of a company that covers my basics, please let me know. the office chic at the school said as long as they have tuition reimburse to back up my loan, they would help me apply with that company.
y'all take care and be safe
Fern

PS: really nice site y'all have here, looking forward to getting to know y'all

 

thanks Mrs T & Gears.
I've been looking over boards about companies here, and few other sites. taking comments/posts with not just a gain of salt, but half the salt shaker, lol. some seem to be didn't understand what trucking life is really like. most seem to be issues over home time. I have no home life, so home time doesn't really apply to me.
when I first got divorced few yrs ago, the place I was living in had no kitchen, literally. (no sink, no stove, no cabinets, no counter tops, nothing. kitchen had been ripped out down to the insulation. was a mess. just had a fridge, microwave, crock pot/fryer, electric skillet, and lil camp-out habatchi - charcoal grill type). before I moved into that place, I had been living in an RV for 2 yrs. I think I can adjust to living in a truck ok.
I love cooking and I love food! I haven't seen a board here for recipes, eating or cooking on the road? maybe I just didn't see or looking in wrong place? I'd be happy to share some recipes and cooking/meal/snack ideas. I've seen most companies allow a small fridge and microwave, some allow crock pot or g'forman grill even (very cool, tho I wouldn't want to clean truck after grilling or frying.). automatic coffee pots are handier than you might think, after all, is a lil hot plate .
after I get to go solo, I was thinking of taking my hibatchi (mini charcoal grill) with me if have enough space to carry it. any tips or advice on stopping locations that allow "open flame" cooking over the road? (obviously not with hazmat loads, and no truckstop would ever allow such a risk. but figure most roadside rest areas/tables be ok)

 

my biggest worry is my strength. I'm a little person, and not the strongest chic on the block. I do not want to load and unload, so my main prioity is: 'no touch freight', second is: how is the lumper issue handled.
I've had several tell me, "don't worry about it, I've drove a lot of years and never touched a load". yes, ok, but did you start out that way? I'm the newbie, the greenhorn, have to prove myself. I'll get the crappy loads and crappy miles for a bit, just to prove I'm willing to work, I'm sure. will I really be able to start out 'no touch'? will dispatch and fleet manager really remember I'm the little person who'd rather drive forever and have lumpers, or will he/she forget and assign me a load I have to unload thinking I want home time cause I'm a girl?
I'm not really interested in 'home time', I'm interested in 'how long out'. I'd prefer to be out 3-6 weeks or so w/no touch, than home every 2 weeks.

hate stereo types, but it happens. one instructor at school has it in his head I'm doing this hunting a husband, that I want to team drive. haven't convinced him yet I'm introvert and semi-antisocial, I want solo. been married, done that, twice even, lol. I'm getting into this career to be independent. seems with this career I can live my life on my terms (long as I abide by company rules), get to see some of the country side, and make decent money doing it. sounds like a good deal to me.