Being placed with PAM through Driver Solutions, opinions please

I've read a few of the threads here on PAM, and while a lot of the posts are semi-old I really am just making sure I'm not getting scammed or anything basically. I have a few questions, but first I'll give you my background.

I'm a 26 year old college drop/former slacker out whos dad was a driver for ABF (although I don't talk to him anymore hence why I'm here). I've been working in restaurants for the last 8 years; I'm sick of it. I just left my job the other day on a whim to force myself to do something different. I want to see more of the country, and I hate living in one place for more than a few months. I don't like to be tied down. I don't know if I'd call myself a hippie as I don't do drugs anymore, but I definitely still have the laid back mentality. I've wanted to do OTR trucking for sometime, but never really have been in the right position in my life to do it. In all honesty I'm doing this because it seems like the right profession for me, and to get out of a bunch of debt I'm in, but mainly because if I wasn't going to get paid to do it I would be doing it on my own. If I like it as much as I think I will I plan on saving money for my own truck which seems like the most profitable option. So here are my questions:

1. Does this sound like a job for me?

2. Is Driver Solutions a reputable company to go through?

3. I talked to my recruiter or something on the phone today after filling out an application and he told me that the first six months I would have a driving partner that I would split my cpm with; anyone have any horror stories on their partner? Lol.

4. Will I be loading/unloading the trucks, or does the terminal you arrive at do that for you?

5. Are the trucks auto or manual in your experience (I'll be out of Grand Rapids, MI)?

6. What are the trucks they run with?

7. How are the amenities in the trucks?

8. After my six months of partner driving, will I get comparable miles going solo. Obviously I know with a partner we will get more, but would I get at least half of what I'm getting with a partner?

9. After my training in Ft. Wayne, will I be able to start as soon as I get back (as I will be signing the contract), or have to wait? If so how long?

10. If you dislike PAM can you recommend any other good driving school/job offers?

Sorry about all the questions, but I trust you guys more than the recruiter I talked to. Thanks.

 

Is it common to not stay for a year? I've been reading a lot and it sounds like there are a lot of bitter complaints about this company, and why they didn't finish their year with them. I don't care about home time really which apparently they're not good on anyways from what I read. After reading a lot of these posts on PAM my only real concern is getting fired in the first year, but it doesn't sound like that's much of a problem unless you do something stupid. I'm just looking to get my foot in the door honestly, and I don't have any false expectations. I understand there's a lot of hard work that goes into this profession, and I respect that. I just don't want to go to this school then get hired, and lose my job in 6 months so they can hire cheaper new recruits.

 

Nice. Thank you very much.