Would appreciate some advice

Pay for your own CDL thru a school or college. If you go thru a company you will pay them back one way or another through contracts and deductions, basically an indentured servant for the next year. If you pay your own way you have the freedom to leave and do what you want when you want. Be wary of the bottom feeding companies with a great sales pitch. Read the forum you'll find out who they are.
GOOD LUCK

 

Welcome to this site! There are tons of options but it really will depend on factors that are and are not important with your current situation. I was just up making deliveries yesterday in Patten and Mapleton, but I'm guessing you might be living even further north than that. Are you way up by Fort Kent? If you put a location in your profile for this site, it will be likely to help folks give you more detailed information.

BTW, since it sounds like you're right on the border, are you also considering companies up in QC, NB and NS? Do you want a job that can get you home every night, or would you prefer to stay out for 1 - 3 weeks at a time? Do you want to drive solo, or are you willing to work as a team? Are you planning to have a pet traveling with you? Are you willing to haul HazMat loads? Are you willing to work in a position that requires you to drive all night? Are you OK with working 70+ hours per week? Needless to say, there really are a ton of questions to consider as you embark down this new path, but take your time and give some thought to what will be best for your situation... and I think you'll find there are a lot of good people on this website willing to help new and future drivers.

Have a great weekend!

BTW, in case you haven't already discovered the MMTA website (http://www.mmta.com/page/951-719/member-links), it has a membership list with links that might be helpful for your research.

 

you go girl i sent wife to school so she doesnt learn my bad habits i paid cash and she wrote it off in her taxes
we have our own authorties truck n trailer run canada usa
we do very well for our selves
back to you
you have to ask alot of stupid questions in this industry ......there is no stupid questons.... you will get good answers try to stay away from the large companies like day and ross alot of people know got burned there..short pay miles... trips that disapear you spent way to much time fighting for your monies
come back to this site and ask others about certain companies your looking at can i suggest construction worker,,,compactor operator etc this summer i seen a crew of women road construction workers and only two guys they drove all equipment and did the flag work also down fall, seasonal, winter off

 

2 small children at home?
my opinion?(you asked)

Stay home w them find something other than Truck driving.

 

Have you considered beverage companies? They take new drivers and get you home daily. I got on with a Beer distributor straight out of school and I just make 5-6 stops a day and go home. Not terrible. I'm almost at my year now so looking for better possible still in grocery delivery since I'm used to it. Food Service seems to pay well but those guys make a LOT of stops and have to throw crap down those rollers into stores. I like my dock and electric pallet jack myself.

 

Yes your own!