Maybe going to school soon.

Schneider is the best starter outfit out there. You won't make much money though.

 

Schneider does not have their schools anymore and are only hiring experienced drivers.

 

They are not hiring students and probably won't until second quarter.
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Six, I am not sure there is a right answer for you. There are SO MANY things to consider when choosing a company. Do you want to be able to take your wife, pet, kids? Do you want to drive flatbed, tanker, reefer, dry van? Do you want to avoid NYC, Canada, Mexico? Where do you live? How often do you want to be home? and so much more.

There is a term in the industry called "Starter Companies". Usually, you will apply with them and either go to their school or get your license on your own. If you get your schooling through them, you may become an "indentured servant" so to speak. You will have to work with them for X amount of months or year(s) to pay back the training. If you don't stay with them, they are going to come after you for the balance of the "cost of your training". And most likely, they will eventually get it or they will make your life so miserable that you will consider selling peanuts on the weekend just to pay them back. On the other hand, if you go and get your CDL through a third party company (some drivers refer to them as "CDL Mills"), then you are free to make your own decisions. Plus many Starter Companies actually offer tuition reimbursement up to perhaps $5000 as you progress through the ranks. And if you leave, the reimbursement ends. That simple.

I am currently going to a CDL School and I don't regret it one bit. You have to remember something. No matter what ANYONE tells you, good bad, or indifferent, a CDL school is just that.... to get your CDL. You will learn the basics, the rules, backing, shifting, and a little driving. Simply put, just enough to get your CDL License. Your REAL TRAINING will start when you hop up in the cab of a truck owned by the company that hired you. The person sitting across the cab, hereafter known as "your Trainer", is the person that will teach you HOW to drive a Big Truck and be a Big Truck Truck Driver. Period. Don't let anyone else from a third party school convince you otherwise.

Now understand, I am not trying to scare you off. But you need to be aware of these things.

Currently, there are not a lot of companies that will hire you without 6 months to a year's worth of experience. Why? Because they don't have to. There is a certain cost involved in training new drivers (you'll hear the term "newbies" used a lot on the boards). With the economy the way it is right now, and the slowing of freight, current experienced drivers are looking for jobs, and the trucking companies know it. They have the pick of the litter. No need to teach someone to walk when there are so many that can already run.

ehehehe I just looked back on my post and realized I really haven't answered your question..... Let me recommend you do this.

Use the internet to your advantage.
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckinglinks2/CAT/Trucking-Jobs_71_1.html

Search the internet using Google or Yahoo, and use the terms student driver, recent graduate, or whatever else might apply. Then when you get your results, go look at the websites of the companies that appear.

After you do that, come back here to Trucker's Report and go to your User CP. In the drop down to the right, you will see a long list of several of the companies out there, and the forums contain a BUNCH of information. You will see good and bad things about just about every company. YOU are going to have to weigh out the information for yourself. Remember, you are looking for what works best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY. Don't make your decisions based on what other people tell you is right for you. They are not paying your bills and they are not having to deal with YOUR ISSUES.

Be Smart - Be Safe! Holler at me if I can help anymore. I'll be glad to. I'll keep an eye on this thread....

 

Hey there Six -

Check and see about Government Grants. There may be a chance that with your situation, you may be eligible. Also, you might want to check with your local unemployment office. I do know that there are 4 or 5 guys in school with me right now that got grants through the unemployment office. Worth checking out.

Also, depending on your credit record, you might could get financing through a school with a third party lender. Also check out Driver Solutions.

One final thought is you might could check with a few of the Community Colleges in your area. Sometimes they have programs that include tuition assistance. Not sure where you live, but I am sure there is one somewhere near abouts.

Stay in touch!