Out in Jacksonville, FL. Still have to actually acquire a CDL, but wondering what's the best idea.

Signing a 1 year contract with a company that fits your needs is a good idea. Signing a contract with a company that doesn't fit your needs is a bad idea. I don't know but one outfit that gives free CDL training without a contract. Goodwill.

Find the place you think fits what you need (specifically) and then follow their path to a CDL. Most newbies do zero research or believe every lie they are told. If the newbies don't care enough about THEIR future to verify things, they cannot be helped.

Recruiters are not experts on the trucking company. They are filters for applicants. They know little more than average pay. Ask current working drivers at the company doing the work you are getting hired to do.

 

A box handler isn't hard work, but driving a truck can be very hard work.

 

I see nothing wrong with signing a year contract if it will get you started and guarantee you a job out the gate. Most of the time you're tied to a company for 1 year to pay off the schooling. If you go to a private option, you'll end up working for a beginner company anyway, and you'll need that 1 year experience to advance your career. To me, I don't see what difference it makes when it comes to route taken for schooling. If it were me, I'd take whatever is readily available but I have an ability to adjust to whatever route I'm on. I know you saw Cypress, but if you don't really want to do flatbed then you'll have to go a different route. I will warn you, you're in Florida so your company options are gonna be fairly thin for the first year, so be prepared to get your foot in the door by any means necessary

 

Cypress = flatbed
Werner = dry van (mostly)
DOT Foods = reefer duty

You need to decide what type of freight appeals to you the most, then go for it.

Unfortunately -- it may be that none of the above are hiring brand new drivers like you right now.

To get things started -- you may have to simply take what you can get (like I did).

-- L