Hi

From the three choices you gave,I'd pick Schneider.I don't know all that much about any of them except that Schneider used to be union and was a good company to work for back then,and I believe their still a good company,so if they'll hire you,give them a try.Out of the three,they seem to have the best maintained fleet of trucks that I've seen.I'm retired now but still work for my old company three days a month,just to keep my hand in it and to have a reason to keep my CDL.I posted a blog five days ago titled,"for all those looking for trucking jobs,listen up!"I aimed it at you newbies in the hopes of giving those who read it some insight about what your getting yourselves into. Your encouraged to read it. I could easily write a book,but I think it would be like trying to eat a weeks worth of meals in one day.You couldn't digest all that so soon.Trying to learn too much about driving too soon could give you the same result.I will tell you this:Once you get on with a company, go with your gut instinct.By that,I mean,if it feels right,give it a try,if it doesn't,walk away.You don't owe a company anything until you have a truck with a load.Stay away from sign on bonuses,there's a reason they give them,and I've always believed that if the company was that good,they wouldn't need to entice a prospective employee with anything more than a good job.Don't lease a truck or own one until you have several years experience under your belt.Why?Think about it,whenever a company offers something and makes it sound like the best thing since sliced bread,be careful.It usually ends up being more favorable to the company than to the lessee.Remember this,you are choosing a career that will eat most of your waking moments for however long you decide to drive.I've always believed in going with the company that gives me the most in terms of money and benefits.Your not in this to see the country,your in this to make a living,plain and simple.If, like I said in my blog,you keep track of how many hours you actually put into the job each week for three or four weeks and divide the hours into how much you grossed,then you'll find how much the job actually pays.Find out what the industry standard is for health care contributions and retirement benefits,and be aware of the quality of the heath care your receiving.If you have a high deductible on health care,watch out.Make sure you have dental too.Yeah,I know,you have enough on your plate just getting a job to start out with,but these things I mentioned are indicators, as are the equipment they have,for how the company treats their drivers.I don't know if Schneider will fill the bill for a career,but I think it could be a good start,and as you go along getting experience,you should know soon enough.Winter is not the best time to start driving,but as they say,you have to start somewhere,so listen to your orientation instructor and learn your limitations and that of the truck your going to be driving.Here in Western New York,I could tell the drivers that were from down south,they were the ones going fifteen miles an hour on the super slab.Anyhow,you have a lot to learn,but it's like anything else,you'll get out of it hopefully as much as you put in.Good luck to you and Happy New Year!