Which company to start with?

I'm completely new at this, don't have my CDL (haven't even enrolled in school) yet, but have been doing lots of research, mainly on this site. Here's my situation: I live in the Tampa Bay area, 33 y/o, and am looking for a career change. I'm not married and no kids, although I do have a girlfriend. I've always wanted to try trucking and have absolutely no problem with living life over the road for a year or so until I get enough experience to move on to "greener pastures". Although I've never worked in the industry, I can say that I'm not naive, and I do know that just as with any other career in any industry, I'm going to have to pay my dues and take my lumps like anybody else out there. I know these companies are going to run me all over the place, send me to places I don't want to go, and not pay me very well, so I know what to expect. From everything I've read on this site, I think I have a very good idea of whom NOT to go with: JB, Swift, etc.

One thing I don't see to much of, is who IS good to start with. One company I would really like to go on with is Crete, and they have a terminal here in FL just an hour and a half or so from where I live. The only thing is, is that there's no schools here in FL that Crete has on their "approved list," so getting in with them would entail spending several weeks out of town in one of their approved schools, which would cause some financial hardships. There's not many other training schools locally here except for Roadmaster, and Werner and Covenant both hire out of Roadmaster. Other than Crete, who else is good for a new driver? And if any other companies ARE good, than do they hire out of FL?

Here's another question, would it be advisable to go on with a company such as Werner or Covenant for 6 mos or so and then go to Crete?

 

Thanks for the advice. Question: I've heard really good things about OD, do you know if they hire out of FL?

 

Thanks for the info. Checked out their site. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and talk with them. I've heard really good things about them, as a matter of fact there's a thread on them on this forum that I've read and they seem to be top-notch.