Is this job for me?

So, I quit my day job back in Feb of this year to start my own company with a business partner. That was mistake #1 because I left my job before I had contracts signed and the business partner bailed at the last minute and my previous job already had someone in training to replace me at a cheaper cost so although I knew the job, the owner didn't want me back because I cost more.

After that I decided to try my business on my own, mistake #2. I didn't have capital for the business and getting funding for a business with zero history is impossible so for the past 6 months I've blown through savings and am now in a good bit of debt trying to get this company up and going but without consistent product to sell, I can't sell anything obviously.

As far as trucking goes, its always interests me. Being out on the road, driving in new areas, seeing different places even if it is from the interstate, plus I don't have problems driving long distances. In 2005 when Katrina hit the Gulf South I got a job with FEMA towing the FEMA trailers and I did that every single day for 6 months. I realize that towing a 30-35ft trailer with a pick up isn't the same thing as a 80ft tractor trailer combo but I did do a lot of backing up into tight places and I think I have a feel for what it'd be like driving the big trucks. If it was up to me, i'd buy a 1 ton pick up, get a trailer and just go to work with that but I don't have any connections and I highly doubt Id make enough money just from booking loads on the websites (uship, central dispatch, etc), i'd need a broker but I have no idea how to find one.

So with all that rambling over with, heres what I need. I need to make some decent money to clear out the debt I've put myself in and then hopefully make enough to put back in savings. I only want to do OTR for a couple years max and then either get a local job or put money into my own business. I'm 27, no kids, no house, just a fiancé and she actually still lives at home with her parents so I don't have to worry about her being by herself all the time. Shes a college grad a few years into her profession and I feel I need to pull my weight and now is the time to do something.

Schneider has a couple openings in my area and from what I've read on this forum from current drivers (atleast that's what they say), they pay first year drivers pretty well. Now I do have to get my CDL so I looked into Coastal Truck Driving School, any feedback on them? Schneider's website says they give up to $6k in tuition reimbursement, how true is that? They also have a pre approval forum you can fill out and send in before going to school, is that actually promising or just marketing jargon to make you feel good about yourself? I don't want to pay for school out of pocket only for them not to hire me when I could go to another company and go to their school and not pay out of pocket.

Also, for a company like Prime, how long typically is it from the time you start school til you're on your own as a a solo driver? 4 months? Same question for Schneider too, how long does their training usually last?

Any tips, answers, questions or constructive criticism is welcomed! Thanks

 

I don't really see this as being mistake #3. I think buying my own truck and trying to get my own jobs would be a mistake but getting on with an established company already is the safer route.

 

Definitely weighed my pros and cons about it and I think it does have more pros for myself.

 

I do understand what you're saying and reading my post I see where you're coming from although unless it takes 6 months to start getting a steady solid pay check (more then the $200-$400/week training pay), I should be fine with my bills. I've got a job right now that's keeping me a float barely but so I'm not going into more debt right now, just staying even. Also as far as money for supplies and food during training and what not I can take care of that without issue.

Like you said though, I've read a lot that do job hop and that's not something I want to do. I want to start with a good company and put in my couple years of OTR to get the experience needed to get a good paying local job.