Over analyzing my choices. Pay for CDL or indenture myself?

If I'm guilty of anything, it's that I can analyze a situation 'bout to death. Here's what I'm tossing around in my empty cavernous head at the moment...


I'm determined to become a homeless OTR driver later this year. My plan has been to get on with Prime, get my CDL, drive for year, and then re-evaluate my options.


So I got to thinking, maybe I should just pay for my own CDL schooling and not have the commitment.


Here's my train of thought:


If I pay for my own schooling, I'm not committed to Prime for a year. HOWEVER I don't think I would drive for anyone for less than a year, so maybe that commitment isn't really that big of a deal.


BUT if I pay for my own schooling will I have a better chance of getting long miles with another company that would hire a rookie with no experience? I know that Prime pays pretty well from the get go, but what about the miles?


I guess my question distills down to whether or not paying for schooling has much advantage if I plan on staying with a company for at least a year, regardless of the company.


I dunno. What do you folks think?

 

That begs the question. Why? If you're gonna run with Schneider for a year, why not just do it from the beginning?
I'm not trying to be facetious, either. I'm curious as to what brought you to that decision. Maybe that's the one I should make also.

 

What lead you to that decision? Was it purely financial? Did you regret it? Seems to me a year goes by pretty quick, is that what you found?

 

I'd be surprised if I'm eligible for much (if any) assistance. I'm currently working (self employed) and make a decent living. I could pay cash for school, but I could also just pay the cash to Prime if I need out.

By the way, I don't mean to sound like an ###, but I can do a year OTR, easy. My plan is 5-8yrs, but we'll see. I could do a year at about any job, as crappy as they come. I could hate the work, and the people making me do it, it wouldn't mater. A year goes by right quick.

Besides, I'm not doing this for money (though the savings account will grow), I'm doing this because I WANT to. And I've wanted to do this for many years.

 

The question remains. Will I have better job opportunities if I pay for school?