new driver here, need YOUR advice!

Stay away from anything that looks, feels, or smells like eastern Europe

 

Well, I'm not familiar with Chicago much any more, but you have a 50/50 chance of having a good experience with any company. I've been happy as a clam at places others couldn't stand. There are always small aggravations and learning curves, but it's kinda like being married: you can make it work if you want to.

 

http://www.cdl101.com/trucking-companies-allow-pets/

Here's a list of companies that allow pets, at least a few hire newbs. Good luck with that 7-10 day thing though

 

your request are fine all companies should grant them to you but unfortunately some do not money is at the top of their list.If you're doing otr plan on it being a month before u get home.but most companies do have lanes where u can get home e very weekend.you'll need to talk to the recruiter about that.regional will get u home normally every weekend and sometimes a night during the week.

 

There is so much for you to learn but let me give you a simple tip. We earn our income by hauling freight. When selecting a company always start there first. Next how long they have been in business. How they can benefit you. What is their retention rates or in better words; how long do most drivers stay? Now the 3 top companies that move the most freight are swift, schneider, and j.b. hunt. Start there!

 

Earl Henderson Trucking in Caseyville; can take your pet and see the country.
This company has their own CDL school and a guaranteed minimum weekly paycheck that works out to $798.00 weekly. You can make more than that, but that's the minimum providing you follow the rules.
Other pet policy:
H.O. Wolding
National Carriers
Abilene Motor Express
Con-way
Magnum Ltd.
WEL

 

With these road outfits nowadays, it's basically the same BS in different colored trucks. If it were me, I'd hire-on to an outfit that had a terminal or at least a yard near me. That way, it's easier to get you home and you can maybe schedule PM's and such on your hometime.

Living in the Windy City tho, why would you want to run the road? Plenty of good local opportunities there. At your age, I'd be looking to hire-on to an LTL and building my seniority. Forget OTR: too much aggravation, DOT, unpaid waiting, bad food, fighting for parking, clean-air police, never seeing home, filthy truckstops, etc.

Unless your endgame is to hire-on to a private fleet like Wal-Mart or something? Or maybe become an owner operator or fleet owner down the road?