Looking for CDL school/starting Companies, Mid Michigan

Hi everyone, been browsing through the forums for the last couple days and reading up on starting companies and which ones to start with.

Some Background info on me

• Clean Driving Record
  
• Clean Criminal Record
  
• Drug Free
  
• Turning 21 in June

As being my 21st Birthday is coming up on only being 4 months out I figured now was the time to start doing my research that way come June I can start my Future Career.

At this moment in time I am currently looking for Companies that have their own training programs over a privet school, mainly because i don't have the $3,000+ for it, however I am willing to travel for schooling whether it be no further than Indiana/Ohio or Texas


Companies that i'm currently looking at:

1. Prime; Reason being I have heard that when training for your Class A all training is done one on one with a trainer and not 3 or 4 students in a cab taking turns, Downside being that I have recently read that they're not hiring company driver but rather Leasing right off the bat.
2. Schneider; Mainly because they reimburse new CDL holders as long as you go to one of their approved driving schools.
3. Steven's Transport; Haven't really seen much info about them other than that they aren't what they use to be and that their schooling is expensive and that they're not giving the promised miles.

I have also heard mention of a few others such as Millis and of Course Swift and CRE, but I would also like to know more about said companies and what other starting companies are out there, who has the better schooling, pay out of school, and overall comradery within the companies. Also what are some other things that I can do to get ready for my CDL other than studying for the written test.

 

Thanks China! Will defiantly be looking at those two and doing me research.

As for the Hazmat that was one thing I was actually hoping to do, if i'm going to school may as well get all my endorsements right?

 

Thanks for the Input JD, ironically enough I was thinking of this the other day and was planning on heading up to my local Michigan Works in the a.m., If that works out hopefully i can get into the International Trucking School over in Lansing. Seeing as how they now have a close location that's not Detroit or Kalamazoo. By the looks of their website they have their 120 hr program but divide it up to 3 days a week, personally I think that would be a great root to go because the time the class is ending it'll be June and I'll be ready to go OTR.


Also another company that I've been looking more and more at is Roehl, have a good friend that just started their a few weeks ago (from the same area as myself) and seems to be enjoying it.... Probably should do a follow up with him and see hoe it's going.