6 years later and I am ready to try driving again.

I think you can be a good match for Prime and for trucking. Getting through the TNT at Prime or the riding with a trainer at another company is often the hardest part of trucking, it was for me. You don't have as much say over your day as you will when you are solo. You don't yet know what is normal at customers or with the company so it takes longer to make decisions and you may feel like the world is impatiently waiting for you to hurry up and decide something. That's normal and it quickly gets better as you learn what to expect. Don't let any frustration during TNT training cause you to quit or change companies because it will be a bit easier as soon as you get 1 trip in your solo truck and get better from there. Don't fall into the "quit your way to the bad company trap" by quitting or changing companies. No matter how hard it seems on the worst day, resolve to get through the hard period and only consider leaving or changing companies on a day when it's an easy day. Also, I think Prime has their own company hotel in MO for students. There's no drinking of alcohol from the day you show up until after you are on your own. On your own you have DOT/FMCSA regulations to obey and whatever the company policy requires. Students have gotten dropped for drinking in their hotel room or in a bar during that period. Hopefully you don't drink or drink so seldom it's not ever a concern. If someone is a regular drinker, or using any drugs, it won't be overlooked and it is easily something that will cost you the job. It doesn't matter what anyone's opinion about the topic is and what the rules ought to be. The rules are the rules and they won't change before you are in your own truck so you have to follow those rules, even if they make no sense or you know of a better set of rules. I think you are probably in good position to get a good thing going.

 

If I were in your shoes -- I'd start out with Swift Transportation.

Why?

Too many advantages....so little time.

Swift hires/trains BRAND NEW drivers.

Swift allows pets:

Whether it's a sweet Boxer or a pint-sized Chihuahua, truck driving with a dog can provide companionship, security, and a welcome sense of home away from home.


Women at Swift:

Swift offers special programs, great benefits, time at home, mentoring programs & more! See what makes Swift one of the best places to work for women.

-- L

 

Swift is probably as good as any for a starter.

 

Do Swift solo drivers that live on the East Coast/Eastern Seaboard, make West Coast runs?That's what she's interested in; West Coast/Southwest runs.

 

I don't have any strong opinion picking between Swift or Prime.

 

I would offer that (over time) Swift OTR is just that -- a new driver will finally see all 50 states.

With Schneider -- not so much.

-- L

 

What about Schneider Refrigerated Division? Is that one coast-to-coast freight lanes or just regional or what?
Refrigerated Transport Services | Schneider

 

I know Prime, Inc. and Steven Transport do coast-to-coast runs for solo drivers, right out of their cdl schools.
~
Schneider has pet policy for teams only. No pets allowed for solo drivers.