I'm in SoCal, should I take the "easy" route of one of the megas with "free" CDL in Fontana? Or?

Pay your own schooling period. Unless you want to be a slave.

 

Not true I am still a slave.
"Never lease purchase!" "Ever!"

 

You can get some real good deals on houses in San Antonio, just check out the neighborhood in the day time

 

I loved San Antonio when my daughter was stationed at Ft. Sam but pretty much every town or city has some sketchy areas.

 

I was advised to wait at least a year and make sure I have a good tax refund or a bonus handy to apply a down payment, if I ever decide to go O/O. Who do you drive for?

 

Prime, or Jim Palmer Express probably. Just for the training.

 

Austin, TX is my favorite in Texas
Prime Inc. trains in Salt Lake City.
.

 

You are going to pay for your CDL and training. It is paid by your not making good money the first year. But the mega is making the money you don't. Get it?
If I were you. Best I can gather. I'd drive to Texas. Get on with someone like Schneider. You can start in Oil Field with them. Put in your year. Your paying them for the CDL and training. Then go work for a real Oil Field company. Make good money.
Set up a mailbox service in Texas. Since you want to end up there. Otherwise I have a great Mailbox Service in SD. People claim residency through it. Avoid State Income Tax.

 

Whenever I got a run to Texas... I'd sing....
I be a croonin'
Like a big Baboonin'
clap clap clap clap
Deep in the heart of Texas!