please help me decide

Great opinions on what, exactly?

 

Schneider isn't a bad company to get your feet wet with. Just avoid companies like Werner, CRST, and CR England.

Don't expect to land feet first in paradise. All training companies have their problems. Pick one and stick it out for a year (yes, it will suck at times). That will show the better employers that you're not just going to hop around.

It's all about paying your dues.

 

I would pick-up cigarette butts at a ltl yard before working at any advertising truckload company just to gain experience.

 

Companies are begging for drivers right now. Check local adds in the paper and online. A lot of companies
do business in and around the Chicago area. My suggestion would be to contact companies with some
continued training for you since you're new to the industry. Although you've been a yard spotter and have
a lot of backing experience, which will serve you well, you don't have any road experience. Most companies
want at least six months. So you're choices in most cases come down to those willing to hire new school
graduates. Schneider has one of the better training programs around from what I've heard. Drivers in your
area also would be a good source of information. There are truck stops near you. Take the time to talk to
some drivers in person. You'll be surprised at what you can learn from them, including those hiring without
advertising. Good luck!

 

Like Shortaru said, pay your dues for a while OTR. Pick one maybe with a terminal near you if you can and stick with it. Another thing is if you read to much info on here you can drive yourself crazy. I enjoy this forum but it can sure be filled with a lot of negativity at times. Go forth with it and form your own opinions from experience. Good luck.

 

oceanman....have you tried GSF (Golden State foods) they have DC's in both Oak Brook and Lemont...they deliver to McDonald's restaurants and are a great company to work for. I retired from them in 2011 after 33 years working for them. Give them a try , you'll be home most nights and after you get some seniority you will be able to run a 3 route week , and still make way more than average pay. Great health and retirement benefits too.

 

There are people who've started out locally without ever having done OTR. Granted, they may not be the majority, but it's far from being in the realm of impossibility.