Company Sponsored CDL Training

Roehl is OK to get started with. Knight Transportation is also good; check their website.
While there get all the endorsements; tanker/hazmat, TWIC ID Card, passport. You can make a lot more money in tankers and there's plenty of tanker jobs in Phoenix. 12 months with Roehl and you're good to go with tankers.
Make a list for your next move after the training company and be prepared to jump ship for more money.
Always have a backup plan & ensure you're qualified for that backup plan. When you're within 30 days of having a year experience, start the application process for your next move.

Trimac Transportation - $65K-$100K per year.
Groendyke Tranport
ABF Freight
Reddaway
Bulk Transportation
Clean Harbors
Saia LTL Freight
Arizona Milk Transport
Cardinal/Greatwide Logistics
Cactus Transport

Keep a notebook of these high paying companies and keep it updated as to the qualifications so you'll be prepared.
With proper planning, trucking is a great career with benefits and a retirement package.

 

1st things first, make sure everything is right at home, for it will take time away from your family and plenty of sacrifice.

It's almost easier for me to recommend the companies to stay away from vs. which are the best training companies.. I will let others tell you the rest of the companies to stay away from, BUT DO NOT GO WITH CR ENGLAND .. Don't drink the kool-aid !

Do 1-2yrs at the same company, keep your record and nose clean and you can make your own future in this industry, as tough as it can be....

Other then that best of luck to you, be safe and let us know how it works out

 

Personally, I'd recommend that you go to a local community college, pay for the training, and then go with a company that does tuition reimbursement.

I started with a company that did their own CDL training and the experience was awful; didn't learn much (or enough to pass the state CDL test after 3 trys) and eventually 'washed out'. I came home and enrolled in the local community college and graduated at the top of my class. You see, most of the places that "train" you, really only want a poorly paid second seat for a team operation and the guy that's "training" you is getting paid for your miles......so, better to run your tail off. Then I went with Schneider and they reimbursed my tuition and I haven't looked back (still with them 3 years later as an IC).

Best of luck. Think long and hard before going over the road though. At 35 with a wife and 2 kids at home, OTR is probably not going to be a good option. Look at local LTL companies......Conway, Fedex freight, Saia, etc.....

 

I agree with Dipschitt... as odd as that sounds...

It is possible to go through a company sponsored procommunity ccollage program ormake a good career eventually. .. however.. in the long run.. the company sponsored CDL schools are much more costly... it is lime buying a car from a buy here pay here lot vs a regular dealer... the thing is.. it most certainly is not free CDL training... while you dont pay anything up front for the often sub par CDL school... you will pay and pay and pay for it down the road...

Even if you have to put off getting started.. you will be further ahead in the long run if you go to the community collage program or even pay a good private school