Phoenix, AZ - suggestions of companies to work for?

I have been reading posts here for over a month, and calling and talking to companies. I have not driven in just over 3 years, am set up for retraining at my school (once I have an acceptance letter from a company). I have my CDL A and current medical card. I assumed, it seems incorrectly, that I would be able to drive OTR and keep my home and CDL here in AZ and get routed here occasionally. When I drove OTR 48 states for Central Reefer I drove out of Atlanta with an AZ license and home AZ. Now, I am finding companies won't do this. I do undertsand if regional... but don't see why if on a national carrier, covering 48 sates, I am unable to do this.

I have been told by companies (Schneider for example) that I will need to relocate to a terminal such as Fontana, rent an apt. and obtain a CDL there, prior to applying for a job with them. This I will not do for obvious reasons.

I am resigned to driving from Phx., get the experience and move to a company I would prefer and an area to live I want ...

My questions are:

1) Is there currently an over abundance of drivers and a shortage of loads dictating policies like this?
2) Are there any suggestions regarding companies to drive for out of Phx., since this is what I am running in to? I know there is Knight, Swift, and smaller Swift affiliates, Werner... I really do not care to drive for them but may have to for 6 months to a year... so ... I am asking... any other ideas, companies out there I am missing that might be recommended to someone in my position? I do undertsand I will need re-schooling, which I am doing, and I will need to go with a trainer and start at the bottom. No problem

Thanks for any friendly input. As always, appreciate the drivers who take their time to make this forum as good as it is.

Inthewind "JD"

 

Thanks for the input. I checked out Heartland on this forum and have heard very little good about them. Since I posted I have also looked into the following and would appreciate any input on them, though I have been reading everything I can on here about each... for the Phx. area:

Swift - 2nd last choice
Knight - not checked out yet
JB Hunt - req. 3 months exp.
Crete/Shaffer/Hunt - 3rd choice tie
Arrow - last choice
ABF - top choice, no local, not hiring here
CFI-Conway - 3rd choice tie
Heartland - NO
Schneider - 1st choice, no local
Wil Trans - unknown yet
Roehl - 2nd choice - no local, hiring only east coast and mid west regional
TMC - no local, great co. but flatbed which at 57 am not sure is a good thing for me too attempt.

Of these, my 1st choice was Schneider, BUT... the recruiter (a young woman) was extremely rude when I called, in-fact acted like I was interrupting her at something. She was a ######## answering questions... told me they were not hiring out of AZ. For me to work for them, I would have to move to a location they were hiring from (which she refused or could not tell me), obtain a place to live, have my license from that state to show I was a resident, and only then would they take my application. No job, no guarantees... nada. I told her I would, if offered a position after training was completed, be willing to relocate anywhere they needed drivers. Dead silence. I asked could I do this, she said no... pick a location now. That was when I asked where they were hring from and she said pick a city. How do I pick a city form their vast network and with no idea from where they are hiring. Dead silence. She was a ##### and a half. Left a very bad impression with me.

So, am now considering Crete, CFI... ABF is not hiring locally now or I would. Very depressing because Schneider and Roehl look to be the two best companies to get back on the road with, and after the incident with Schneider, and Roehl only hiring for the SE or NE regions... I am stuck unless I move and relocate, which I am willing to do, but not until after I have a job and am on the road and working in my own truck.

Thanks for input here, for myself and others. Appreciate the time you drivers spend helping out... Inthewind...

 

Thanks to everyone for replying... I have checked out CFI-Conway and have read mixed reviews on them as far miles/drivers sitting, which worries me with winter approaching.

Shamrock I applied, and never even got a call, which is odd as they are considered, like Pepsi, kind of a training company I had heard. So maybe they are not hiring... there was a ton of paperwork for them, a almost 3 hour RT to the terminal and back, and an interview, and then nothing.

Estes I have not considered; didn't think they were based here so I will check.

I have been looking at OTR because the local jobs advertised are typically no bennies for at least 90 days, and low pay. And you have a much better shot at a good paying local job if having OTR experience. I am 57, but single and alone so don't mind going OTR... miss my kids and granddaughter but, it would not be forever I would be OTR.

Thanks again. Am also extremely interested in Teamsters and a union job. I'd be happy to work casual driver/dock to get my foot in the door. But where? Not here....