just got class a cdl, looking

How old are you? Companies have minimum age requirements.
Did you graduate from cdl school?
It's good to have hazmat endorsement with any company.
If you have a clean record, no criminal record, get a passport or passport card for Canada runs.
I can give you names of several companies to choose from.

 

Freymiller - good refrigerated company. They put new cdl grads through their "Restore Program" so apply for that; it's on the website.
Abilene Motor Express - dry van and some refrigerated. Trucks run 72 mph.
Titan Transfer - dry van. Trucks governed at 65 until you have been there 12 mos. then they turn it up to 70 mph.
Magnum Ltd. - refrigerated trucking.
East-West Inc. - www.goeastwestinc.com - dry van - you and your trainer will be running to California and back.
Butler Transport - refrigerated trucking.
Tyson Foods - refrigerated trucking.

 

Chinatown, I have read a little about specialized loads and some of the pros and cons but am very new to all of this still. I can imagine that the hazmat endorsement makes one more marketable. The Canada passport is a good idea. I am curious, do the refrigerated loads usually pay more per load than dry van or flat bed?

 

The pay is pretty much the same for company drivers; refrigerated, dry van, flat bed.
Can't give you an answer for owner-operators.
Definitely get the hazmat endorsement and a passport card. Unless you plan to travel overseas, you don't need a full passport, just the passport card for Canada.

 

You in California; right? Plenty of decent companies to get started with.

 

You're in a good position then. Submit applications right now; don't wait any longer. Take the best offer or the company most appealing to you. You'll have a job the day you graduate.