Hello. Starting soon.

[FONT=&quot]Hello everyone.

Like a lot of people here in Mich. I'm stuck in a "dead end" job with no benefits. I have a few friends that drive OTR and have been telling me to go for years.

I don't have my CDL, I had my permit years ago when I worked for a moving company but never got the actual license. I don't have the money to pay for school, so I'm looking for a company to train me. I have been, and will continue to, research companies, but I could also use some advice.

I'm 35, divorced for years, just ended a relationship and not planning on starting another any time soon, I'll be giving up the apartment and renting a room from a friend, my bills are relatively low each month (car insurance, cell phone etc...), I have child support due each week but my son is older. In short I don't need to be "home".

I have absolutely no intention of leasing a truck. My plans are OTR as a company driver. Out 3 weeks, out 4 weeks, out 2 or 3 months.... fine, I want miles, I'm here to make money. I used to deliver cars in the lower 48 (pickup and trailer, not semi) and spent more than a few of my off days in a hotel in some city just being a tourist. I could care less if I spend my home time at home or in a hotel somewhere (I know I'll be paying the room bill).

I've been told to stay away from Prime. I've read some negative things about CR England, but I have an acquaintance who is happy there as a company driver and another who signed up for their 6 month lease with another guy to team, but is planning on leaving when his 6 months are up. I'm also looking in to Stevens Transport and Swift, to name a few. I have a friend who does payroll for Schneider, but I haven't talked with her or looked in to the company yet. I know what I'll make (roughly) at CR England as a company driver, and I know I can find a company paying more, but I'd like to start somewhere I can stay for at least a year. I may consider becoming an O/O or teaming with a friend later, NOT by leasing through a company, but I want to get some experience and make sure I should be a driver first.

I am looking in to getting assistance / grant money from the state to go to a driving school, but because I'm employed I'm not holding my breath. I know I can find bad things about any large company, I'm more looking for positive experiences with companies or legitimate negatives as opposed to the generic run because they suck and I know not to get sucked in to a lease program.

Glad to be here, thanks for having me.[/FONT]

 

Thanks for the welcomes. Upon the recommendations from a couple friends I'm looking in to trying to go through school on my own. All the money the state had has been spent, but they said to ask the school about grants, so maybe I'll get lucky. I'm going to check in to Nu Way since they're about a mile and 1/2 down the road from home. And it looks like Schneider has some decent openings for recent grads in my area. I'll keep this updated on what I find out and decide.