What is MY best course of action here? Details inside.

Have no idea what they pay. That company has always been one that drivers considered a coveted job. Similar to Estes, Saia, and other LTL/P&D companies. I've know drivers that worked with me, that went there for better home time and supposedly better pay, but I didn't follow up with them.

 

Not necessarily, the truth is there are no hard and fast rules in determining which company will work out for you. It all depends on several factors. I'll give you a great example. When I started with Schneider I was issued an older well running truck and I drove that truck for over a year with no problems. Another guy, who started at the exact same time as me received a truck that wasn't very good. He had a lot of breakdowns and quit in short order. Now the truck assignment was completely random and I just lucked out. Now obviously his opinion of Schneider will be far different than mine. It can really be as arbitrary as that. At some point you just have to jump into and play the hand your dealt.

 

I'd rather be a slave to a company for 6 months than pay $5000 for a 2 week CDL school. At least with a company you are getting paid while learning. And the 6 months with them gives you time to find a better job. Plus you'll have 6 months experience, which will open more doors to you because a lot of companies require a minimum of 3 months OTR. So its a win win situation. And there are a lot of companies offering CDL training, I know P.A.M. does, I've heard that Schneider has their own motel for new guys to stay in while getting their CDL and they even provide free meals. But do your homework, CR England pays your tuition, bus ticket to 1 of 7 different trucking schools, motel and you have your CDL in as little as 17 days. These are just 3 companies that come to mind, I'm sure there are at least a half dozen others I haven't heard about. Finally, companies that hire new guys fresh out of CDL school are no better than companies that offer CDL training. Either way you are still a new driver with zero experience. So why not let the trucking company pay for the school?

 

Trimac has no OTR trainers in fact I think you have to do local for a while after training as well. If you go to a good school and do well you might get hired on. You will make at least 60k your first year. Call then and introduce yourself, interview well and you might get the job.