New driver seeking some answers

Howdy guys, my name is James i am supposed to be starting the Driver Solutions course in Springfeild on March 30th and going to work for PAM after that is completed. I have nationwide non-cdl driving experience and enjoy this type of work. I know i have a bit to learn and am certainly willing to put in my year or longer to get it done. My questions and concerns are mainly based around the quality of the company and the legitimacy of the things i have been told, will be told to do, and have read on many forums including these. Hopefully all will go smooth and i can be one of the success stories i have read about. If you have the time and interest to answer some of my questions with real answers and not "i hate pam, i love pam rants" then thank you very much, and as i learn i will do the same for others.

1. There seem to be alot of critics of all trucking companies i have looked into which offer some form of paid schooling, the 2 i have most interest in are USA Truck and P.A.M. for which i have been told i can choose from and the lady i spoke with at Drivers Solution was reluctant to direct me to one over the other. I realise both are entry companies but for anyone that has knowledge of both, what are the major differences and is there a significant reason to choose one over the other.

2. I understand pay will not be great at first or for a good while. However how realistic are the miles per week on average, i have seen most people referring to 2200-2800 being normal and good, others saying they get 1200 and some saying they are flooded with over 3500. is this based on routing, drivers themselves, location etc. what is a realistic average for starting thru the end of my first year.

3. Noone knows for sure when something is going to break down but i have also seen some people saying trucks need repaired on a regular basis, and some that say these companies take very good fast care of thier trucks with little breakdown. I dont mind an old beat up truck with no ammenities, i simply want to be able to run solid with limited hassle. So do the broken down people simply have too much spare time to be posting ? or are the trucks really that bad.

4. If you agree to work for these companies for the year and then you are a good worker with no accidents, tickets, etc or reason for them to terminate you what is the likelyhood of completeing your first year. I see alot of posts about people getting fired for no reason etc. i simply dont want to sign into a captured 1 year one sided agreement where i can be terminated for no reason 9 months into it and be liable for 5k worth of schooling.

5. Asian girls are win. yes/no simple question.

I am sure i will come up with more questions but these would be very helpful to me atm, thanks for reading and good luck.

 

Ebonsaint, you sir are a man among men, thank you much for the answers.

i am looking forward to going.

one other question, i am single with no kids or reason to be home, is home time required or if you are staying busy can you simply stay out on the road fairly permanently.