Newbie needs advice

I would not worry about the per diem. When carriers pay the per diem they usually lower your rate of pay to compensate for the difference. When a carrier pays per diem it means that neither of you pay social security taxes on that amount of your pay. It isn't a bonus. It can work better for some to collect the per diem and not so well for others. In this business we are allowed a per diem that can be deducted from our taxes. I don't believe that you can take that deduction if your company pays a per diem.

As far as carriers are concerned, I am not as familiar with many of the team operations, but some that come to mind are Covenant, US Xpress, CRST. All three will hire inexperienced drivers. Check the company listings on this forum as well as some of the other trucking forums, such as www.classadrivers.com. Under the company listings you will find the minimum hiring requirements for the companies listed. Your school should also have some contacts that might help. Crete is a good carrier. I don't recall if they hire inexperienced drivers. I would also suggest that you check at some of the truck stops and pick up some of the free trucking magazines. They are full of ads for drivers. You should find them around the entrance for the fuel desk. There are also websites that will allow you to fill out an electronic application online and then match you to carriers based upon your preferences and experience.