Which is the best

^^^^ Didn't think of Millis; just wondering if they are still honoring that with "Heartless" at the helm. You are right, though. Hopefully they still run autonomous. Seems Swift got stricter w/ the Knight takeover (merger) ... just MHO.

 

Here's info on CFI: www.cfidrive.com
Company-paid Tuition > Apply Now
With a 12-month commitment to drive for CFI, qualified students can now receive fully paid tuition to attend driving school in Missouri. We’ll even cover your room and board for the duration of the four-week course.

 

Go talk to someone at Sage Truck Driving School
Some companies will pay the tuition for you.
The school will show you which companies will pay.
www.sageschools.com
SAGE Technical Services
277 Dooley Road
Lexington, SC 29073

 

Sure, it's just that a new driver like @Ladi-Jai has no idea what being a trucker is. It's hard to be the best at something when you have no idea what that 'something' is.

Being a good trucker has hardly anything to do with actually driving a semi down the interstate, which is what most people think.

It is in knowing harvest seasons, when to book early and when to wait till the day of pickup, or knowing which states don't charge sales tax for tires, or finding a .10 a gallon discount or a free dinner at a mom-and-pop. It is knowing that sometimes a hotel room is cheaper than a shower and 10hrs of diesel, or knowing that an alternator can be bought on Amazon for a third the price as Kenworth charges, or that some two-lane highway across Oklahoma can save you a steak dinner worth of tolls and a stop at a few scales.

Most importantly, being a trucker is being able to go where you want, when you want, and be paid well to do it.

No school teaches that.

The difference between driving and trucking is immense and a guy looking for advice on a good carrier to start with has no more bearing on the abyss than a blind man being asked to pick the best red shirt.

You have to get there to know the way.

 

It sounds like you've got a good start.

Because you mention lumper fees, I would strongly suggest not pulling reefer.

Dry van pays less per mile but more than makes up for it in rolling miles. Reefer is all 'appointment only' loads. Arrive and wait. The detention time will kill your rate, especiallly if you have to pay fuel and maintenance on the trailer. They make you feel like you're lucky that they gave you a door.

Typical reefer detention is 4hrs. Typical detention on a dry van is 1 hr. Dry van receivers want the product.

They are glad you arrived.

Also, lumper fees are RARE in dry van.

Lumpers are a relic of the old grocery business. Don't haul groceries and you'll have no lumpers and lumpers are the devil.

Dry van.