Advice Needed for Newbie Interested in Truck Driving

Hi all, I heard about this forum from a friend who works at a large trucking company on the corporate side. I'm 28, married, and have seven years of experience working in marketing and communications, but I am seriously considering a career switch to trucking, as I've long been interested in transportation and need to start working as I've been out of work for a few months.

I do not have a CDL license, but I am a good driver with a completely clean driving record and zero criminal history. I currently reside just northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I don't know where to start. Should I consider paying for the CDL schooling myself, or should I go with a company that will pay for the training? Is the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area a good area to start, or should I consider relocation to Chicago? (I have family in the southwest suburbs). If I went for a company that paid for the training, I likely would not mind sticking around a year, if not more, as I'm looking for stability and experience, but with that said, I want to work for a good company that takes care of its people, pays competitively, and has good benefits. I recognize that no company is perfect and that every company has pros and cons, but I'd certainly like to work for a company where the pros outweigh the cons.

There are a few things that I've researched and would be important to me: driving a truck with an automatic transmission, spending most nights and weekends at home with my wife and not out on the road, and driving a reliable truck (not necessarily brand new but in good condition) that isn't going to get me into a dangerous situation. My friend who works on the corporate side of trucking has told me horror stories about other companies that don't maintain their trucks well, and this has led to situations where their employees have nearly died.

With all of this in mind, what are your recommendations for someone new with zero experience and considering a career change? Are certain training programs and schools better than others? Which companies are best for my situation in the Milwaukee area? I've heard companies like U.S. Xpress and Marten won't send you to any paid training and only accept those that already have a CDL. I've also read that others, like Roehl, C.R. England, and Knight/Swift, will pay you during training at their own school or another academy. Where do Hirschbach, Werner, Schneider, and J.B. Hunt fit in when it comes to training and pay?

At the end of the day, I'm not sure what I should look out for, what I should expect, and what I need to know. Any advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you, I will check them out! And yes, I agree, if I can stay in Wisconsin and avoid the tax hike, that would be ideal!