where to start career

You don't want to go to Schneider or swift as a new driver as pay will be next to nothing. You cannot support a family on their pay scale.

I agree with the user who recommended getting tanker endorsement and pulling tanks. Pay is much better and you get more respect from shippers and receivers. Not to mention a lot less sitting around waiting for a load.

 

Swift starts you at 33cpm and you get 5 raises in the first year. If you average even as low as 2200 miles a week you makes 37k WITHOUT the raises the first year.

Most companies did raises this year for new drivers because of the shortage

 

Join Schneider Tanker division.

 

That was recommended a couple weeks ago.

 

not 100% certain i know you get one at 3 months 6 months and 9 and 15 months i do not know where teh 5th one lands in there but by the end of the first year you are at about 40 cpm

 

Yes...if the company FORCES per diem...it works out for the company. If you get a choice...turn it down, and claim it on your own taxes.
That is how it works for ANY company.

 

Not sure how you get a CDL A without ever driving a semi but...start calling recruiters...start with the schneiders, Conway truckload, Millis and see what they tell you, then go from there.