New CDL A holder

@Chinatown makes a point of naming the very best companies that he can think of, or has heard. Some of the very best and most highly regarded companies might be a total nightmare for one individual and the best company ever for another. That's why he doesn't name 1-2, unless you are a felon with DUI convictions or have a lot of baggage and a bad work history. Then the list is basically 1-2 companies.

If he listed them, they are reputable, reasonably safe and decent paying options for you, based on the information you have provided. If there's something you haven't told us, skeletons in your closet, etc... They may not be an option for you. But based on what you have said that you want to do and your level of experience, they are great options. Some offer a higher rate per mile, but may offer less miles or run in areas you don't want, or don't run in areas you do want. Some may offer less, but run exactly where you want to run. And one of them may be exactly what you want. Not likely, but it could happen. Apply to every one of them(and also to Melton ). That way you have companies to turn down. Given my past, I applied everywhere and now I am going with Swift. Don't be like me

 

You are awesome envybryce looking after your disabled mom. Not too many people have that priveldge.

If Trucking does not work out, look into Caregiving. You might check with your State's Nursing Board that contains all the information you will ever need to consider it as a honorable and righteous career.

Ive done dump with paving trailer etc for several years, every bit as heavy as the big boys at times. No shame in it. Actually lots of fun then. Even though I had a bad burnt DAC that forced me into the B side of trucking. But again, it was so much fun in those days with friends and family.

 

Ooo.. repo man. That's gotta be keeping you awake nights eh?

Frankly I could not do repo. It's too stressful as far as Im concerned.

Im sorry to hear that caregiving is not for you, it's hard as you know and not for everyone, My concept in bringing that up at all was to show that Trucking is awesome yea but you have a potential to fall back on something that will carry you when trucking no longer does.

 

That is the other reason I could not do it. I turned my car in once long long ago to auction rather than suffer a repo. I watched on camera a staffer's car get repoed underneath her window where she had it parked at night shift to keep an eye on it. She was absorbed into a good book then, car was gone. She thought it was stolen, but cameras revealed a repo man at work.

Again Im a softie when done with battle in my heart I could not do it. The closest I got to it was being a auction foreman for a crew of drivers assigned to me for heavy truck sales and seeing what the repo man brought in the gravel side each week including big trucks... makes me sad. I rather be free and clear on a owning of a POS vehicle that can be eventually fixed with enough money than to suffer a loan on transportation.

 

Where in MA are you? You say OTR "is fine", is that what you WANT to do? Or will you just take it if that's all that's offered.