So to be retired military guy

Just about all starter companies are low pay and long hours . If that's the route you have to go the two with the most satisfied drivers seem to be PRIME and Maverick . Maverick is flatbed and you have to work pretty hard and be in pretty good physical shape but they treat drivers better than the other large carriers .

 

If I read your post right, you will be needing training towards a CDL? If I am wrong I apologize. If you need training I would receommend you attend a non-company CDL training school. Once completed you will owe no one anything, and most school usually have driver placement services to help you find a job. Then you will possibly have to go with a trainer for a certain period of time before going on your own.
You will get many different impressions on these blogs on all trucking companies. Therefore, it would be best for you to review the posts on each company you are thinking of, then evaluate these posts for yourself. Determine for yourself who is best for your needs. Once you have decided, its off you go. Like the military, you will encounter both good and bad, and it is for you to make the best of it.

If I read your screen name right you are a E7, that being the case you know how to handle and overcome all the BS, as you did in the military.

Good luck on your decision.

 

With starter companies it isn't a matter of whether you can handle it . It's whether your self respect will allow you to take the abuse and low pay .

 

Get a hold of windsmith. He's a great resource of a rookie who didn't go the mega carrier route.

Retired from the guard myself, no way would I be able to deal with a mega. If you still do, consider TMC out of des moines.

 

You lucky guy, stationed in Hawaii. Was there a few times on a couple of ships, a little resupply, etc. Schneider has a good tanker program for recent CDL school grads. Tanker/hazmat is the best pay for truckers.
Much depends on where you plan to live on the mainland, as to hiring areas. I just bought a house last month in Henderson, NV which is 10 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. It's a good area for a trucker to live. No personal income tax in Nevada also. Nellis Air Force Base there also.

One area of trucking to avoid, is hauling general freight OTR with a dry van or reefer company. You are better off with dedicated or logistics accounts. An example being, food service with Greatwide, or Walmart with Schneider.

The best pay will be with tanker and the next best will be with flatbed. I've done both & they're both great careers.

A couple of good flatbed companies that hire right out of CDL school are System Transport and Melton Truck Lines.

Stay in touch on this forum and post some questions you may have on "Questions From New Drivers."

 

About the worst place to live for a trucker is South Florida, but even there jobs are available. Careerbuilder website and Indeed website are good to check for jobs; enter the city & state you want to live in and those websites will show you who is hiring for local or longhaul. I'll send a PM (Private Message)to you with some other info.