Where to start? Which company is best for me?

Hello I am new here this is my first post but I have been reading for awhile now. I am interested in possibly going into trucking in the near future but can't seem to find the right company for me to start with if I did. I am currently a rural mail carrier. Been doing that for over 9 years now but only as a sub. Still waiting to get my own route full time. The past few years I only work a day or two a week most of the time unless someone takes a vacation. I used to work year round when I started cause I was the only sub. Tired of barely getting by and it is looking to be at least another 4-5 years before I have a chance at getting my own route. Anyways trucking sounds very appealing to me because the idea of living out of a truck and driving across the country is awesome to me. My main reason for wanting to do it is to see the country even if it is only the interstates. I have driven only automatics my life but I am not afraid to learn to drive truck. Also I am single and do not have kids so being home on a regular basis is not a big deal to me. And I enjoy being alone. In fact I want to drive as much as I can. At least at first anyways. I don't know if I would do this my whole life but at least for a few years and then maybe transfer to a more local gig. Also the soonest I would consider trucking is not until spring or summer of 2014 as I want to get my car paid off first which will be in Feb or march. That is my biggest bill I have. I do not pay much rent as I live on my grandparents property and I only pay them $200 a month. So here is some of my criteria that I am wanting in a company. I don't know if there is any that will match all of them though. Every company I look at I find it to be great but then there is always one thing I hate.

• First off I currently make lately about $24,000 a year so making $28,000 - $30,000 my first year as a trucker sounds fantastic to me. When working full time at the post office as a sub I make about $1,200 every two weeks after taxes. And I was living very comfortable with that. So I need to be making at least that. Any more is a bonus. Cause right now I am making more like $600 every two weeks. So $600 a week after taxes in trucking is great money to me. Of course the more the better but I am willing to accept lower pay when first starting and expect that.

• For the Training/Mentoring part I do not want to team what so ever if I can avoid it. I get car sick if not watching the road. I can not sleep while in motion. Also I must be able to have a non smoking mentor. And would prefer it not to be longer than 6 weeks before I am on my own. I feel uncomfortable as it is to live with a stranger in a truck. I know the longer the more I will learn though.

• I want to have APU's and Inverters in my truck. It is important to me that I can run a small fridge, microwave, and be able to have a TV and game console for downtime. I am a big gamer and don't want to give up that hobby altogether. Whether I have to buy an inverter myself or they provide it don't matter as long as they allow them.

• The company hopefully will treat me halfway decent and give me a decent amount of miles. So you know, I am not one to complain and will pretty much do what they tell me to. I don't ever get a temper.

• I would like the option to have a rider just in case someone ever wants to come along with me every once in awhile. And not just a spouse or child...

• They have to be willing to hire newbies and hire me when I live in California. I am about 3 1/2 hours north of San Francisco.

• I want to drive all 48 states and I am willing to go into Canada too. Again seeing as much of the country as possible is my main desire for the job.

• I am mostly interested in Dry Van but willing to do refer too if I have to.

• Not a must but would be nice if they let you take the truck home during home time so I don't have to leave my car in a city where it can be vandalized. And makes it easy to load your stuff up right from home when going out.

So the only company that sounded good to me so far was Watkins Sheppard but not so sure about the 10 day orientation then you're on your own. That's great you don't have to live with a stranger out of a truck but seems like you wouldn't learn enough. Also I don't care for the fact they still use paper logs. I'm a techie person and rather use elogs. Seems easier. They also sound like it is harder to get in with them.

Was considering Schnieder but they don't allow inverters over 300 watts I believe and that is a biggy.

Prime has APU's and Inverters in every truck but its 3 - 4 months on the road with a trainer and they are teaming.

Was also considering Knight since they never drive team. But have no idea about the inverter policy.

Roehl sounded good but at this time they seem to not be hiring out of california. But not applying now anyways.

I have lots of time to research this but I want to be prepared and know as much as I can to get a head start. Thanks and hope this wasn't too long of a post.

 

Oh and one other thing that is almost stopping me from going into trucking. I am really worried about the possibility of running into a tornado or hurricane. But even so I still really want to give trucking a try...

 

I can deal with not having most of it. My main thing is the inverter and not driving as a team even during training. And I don't need it right away.

To me I am a great person for the job. I love to drive, I like being alone, I don't have family, I don't care how often I get home, and I want to see the country. Worse comes to worse I can use portable gaming systems for my entertainment.

 

Thanks, that sounds promising. I will look into them and keep it in mind.