Trying to get into OTR company sponsored training.

Hi all, so I'm trying to get into a company sponsored CDL training program. I applied at one of the well known larger companies. They turned me down. The reason is recent work history. This history, I'll admit is not very good. I closed my own company in spring 2009, moved across country to start a new life. I started to work as a 1099 contractor. First company lasted a year, then had several short term deals, the longest was six months. There was time between jobs were I was seeking work and therefore unemployed. I come to really resent this contract work, but it's really all I could fine in my field, and was much below my pay scale so to speak.

I hope to sell everything I own, go to school, drive OTR for several years, sock away enough to A. By property and build a house or B. Buy a tractor, make more money, then comes the property and house. I can live a very modest life, so saving money shouldn't be to hard provided I can get the miles.
I've always enjoyed vehicles, the bigger the better. I've driven many different types of vehicles, including fire engines. I also enjoy the road, and I'm fine in solitude. I don't have any real family ties. So it seems to me trucking OTR would fit well.

So I don't want to mess up my second choice for a company training program. Any ideas on how I can overcome this employment history issue and get accepted by the next company?
It seems to me that given this screwed up economy, they would have lots of applicants in a similar situation. One thing I noted on the application I filled out was a question about company driver or would I lease. Do you think this would have a barring on their decision?

Thanks, looking forward to some ideas.

 

CC--Thanks, I don't give up easy! LOL>

vinsanity--Well to elaborate on this a little more, I called back the first company and asked for a recruiting supervisior (not available, LOL) so this other recruiter asked if she could help, I told her the situation and she same something about being proactive to get letters of recommendation from these employers, I don't know some may, some most likely won't bother as I only worked for them for a few months. I hear you about leasing, learn about that reading this forum!

Elendil--The company was Prime, the recruiter (Sharell Linsy) seems to have an atitude as soon as I mentioned my recent work history, "Fill out our application we will go from there" then wanted off the phone ASAP it seemed. After filling out the app. she never called me back, and I called her several times without a reply. Finally I called and talked to another recruiter and she looked up my application and told me it was denied. I asked why and she said it didn't have reason listed and that she will transfer me to my recruiter. My recruiter gets on the phone and said "I hear you don't like the answer we gave you!" what an #### hat.
I simply don't have the cash for a paid training program.