Couple questions from a newbie in south Florida

Yeah, Dock'To'Driver (starting in Florida) would probably be ideal, IMHO, for the O/P. Pays rather decent as well, I hear.

 

I am not saying this to sound like a dick but working the dock in a dock to driver program at most places pays more than a driving job at most otr companies that hire new guys. It's all about what the op want to do. See the country? Be home every night? Nice new truck with a sleeper? Old truck but higher pay? No wrong answers.

 

Jones Bros Trucking in Missoula is flatbed.
Melton Truck Lines - www.meltontruck.com hires new cdl school grads from about anywhere.

 

If you want flatbed and South Dakota I can think of none better than Britton Transport Flatbed division. It is based in Sioux Falls and you would be trained by our very own @MrEd . I work in this division and it is great. I recommend getting your license on your own. Opens up your options a lot.

 

Then that's what you need to run with. Just do a lot of research on here about companies and ask a million questions before making the jump. Life is way too short to be one of the miserable ####s in a truck.

 

Wow $2400 isn’t bad, I think I paid $1500 but that was back in 86. Good luck to you.

 

I paid about $2500 for a technical CDL school, and it was worth every penny. The instructors were great, got lots of one on one time behind the wheel, plus pretty comprehensive backing practice. I even got some parallel parking practice. They helped with truck inspection, and taught about trip planning and most of the regs in the classroom.
They helped with job placement, and even followed up with me every few months the first year to make sure it was working out.
You should have no problem hiring on with most carriers with a clean record, though it may take some time to find the company that fits you best.
One more word, Avoid a lease purchase like the plague, at least until you have some years under your belt, then you will better know how some companies can screw you over!
Best of luck driver!