Where to start when entering the trucking industry?

Trucker pay has plummeted in the last 30 years, analyst says

 

But, a new cdl grad making over $60K is pretty good. Even as low as $50K sure beats punching a time clock.
Too many new drivers are excited and jump on the first job offer, then blame their failure on the company, not themselves.
In some areas of the country, choices are limited, but in most of the country there's a dozen companies or more to choose from.
Recruiters know if they can make first contact, they can pretty much nail the guy to work for the company they're recruiting for.

 

Twice as many hours,half the pay.
70 hour weeks x 52 weeks=3640 hours.
$50,000 salary=$13 an hour.

 

CFI does not require experience; they even have their own cdl school in Joplin,Missouri.
Sometimes they pay for private cdl school also.
Student Drivers:
Company-paid Tuition
With a 12-month commitment to drive for CFI, qualified students can now receive fully paid tuition to attend driving school in Missouri. We’ll even cover your room and board for the duration of the four-week course.

 

You can have a full size truck with Prime, but you must take a $ .05 cpm pay cut.
Take another look at CFI. They use full size trucks and the new ones are really sharp.
@RoadRooster works for CFI and will fill you in and maybe post a picture of the new trucks. They don't really have any "old trucks" anyway.

 

I've looked in depth at Prime. You should go to Red Viking Trucker, on youtube. He has an interview with a guy who works there. His name is John.
The word is. On the LW. Smaller engine. You lose gas mileage with the smaller engine and heavy loads. Gain that 5 cents a mile back, with the larger truck and mileage bonus. But you gotta watch how you drive to get the mileage. And no, you are not required to take the LW. Some seem to indicate they had pressure to take one? You definitely don't have to.
Training is real good, in general. Go to youtube. Look up Jr. Honduras. He just finished with a big guy. Watch the alligator eating video. It's hilarious. ...
You do need to try to make sure you get a good trainer. Also get a good recruiter first. Go with Jr. and Nikki as the recruiter, on your application for referral. Nikki really knows what she's doing.

 

Training pay doesn't start until you finish cdl school and hit the road. You can draw advances on future pay during school though. That can be a problem down the road; anyone that's ever been involved in drawing and spending pay advances knows what that means.