Sifting through the mess

If your #1 priority is a pet policy, then that narrows it down. Focus on looking for companies that have pet policy and hire out of California. I'll start a list and other drivers can add or comment:

Melton Truck Lines - APU's
Navajo Express - APU's
Watkins-Shepard
Southern Refrigerated Transport

 

Besides having pets what is important to you?

To many having a truck with an inverter and an APU (Or atleast an idling policy that allows me to actually idle if no APU is on the truck.) is important since the truck will likely be my "home" for a large part of my month/year. So this would facter into my choices. Suggestions I've heard is come up with a list of things you care about and pick 3 that are most important. If a company isn't able to meet all 3 of those don't even progress beyond that.

 

You could always try Swifting through the mess...

 

Check out Gordon trucking?

 

There's no such thing as over-thinking things in determining which company is right for you. Many companies will hire newly graduated drivers. The key is making sure that the company you choose fits your needs and your lifestyle. So, you have to determine what your needs are, then search for a suitable match. For instance, if you must take your pet while training, will the company allow a pet while you are on a truck with a trainer? Will the trainer allow it? Does the company pay a fixed salary during training and for how long? If they do fixed salary, they will work you as many hours per week as they can. if You're paid mileage, you may have a randomly fluctuating income, much like working for commission. Does the company offer a Sign-on Bonus, or tuition reimbursement? My first job was with Covenant Transport. They paid me a $2500 sign on Bonus, and paid me $125 per month in tuition Reimbursement, even though my tuition was paid through unemployment. Find out if they require you to drive team initially, or if you can go solo right after training. Again, compare your needs with what the company offers. And lastly, make sure that you speak to a recruiter at the company. Develop a comprehensive list of questions to ask about the company, their pay policy, the job requirements, etc. These OTR companies Need Drivers!! But don't let a recruiter just sign you up without doing your due diligence. " They'll answer all your questions in orientation. We need to get you signed on and get your travel arrangements made". Statements like this are a recruiters way of getting you to commit to orientation, while avoiding answering your questions. If a recruiter tries that tactic, either move on to the next company, or speak to a different person. Recruiters' pay is performance based at most companies. This means that they will do whatever they need to do to get you into an orientation.

try posting a resume on CareerBuilder, Monster, etc. And also on sites like EveryTruckJob.com. Post an application on these trucking job sites and you'll get a ton of phone calls, e-mails etc.
Lastly, don't hurry if you have the tome. It sounds like you've already done a lot of homework. Don't stop yet. Many companies/recruiters will be pushy in an attempt to get you signed on and into orientation. Choose carefully and you'll do fine.