Which training company to go with....

I've been thinking of getting into trucking for some time now. I've read many threads on here to get an idea of what to expect (low pay, be treated like s#!t, not be home often, etc.) so I do not feel I am going into this totally blind. I've trained and done a lot of things in life (auto-repair-low pay, aircraft mechanics- only jobs that paid well were airline and they weren't hiring then, back to school for a BS electronics engineering- great pay/fun but burn out, Corporate management burn out time now...) and a 20+ year marriage now ending. I've always enjoyed driving and done 20+ CA to PA trips solo (10 in Penske 26 footers normally towing something) doing an average of 700 to 900 miles a day (great not having logs) including a couple one day turn arounds. So I think I can handle long hours of driving.

My question is one I am sure many of you have gone through....... which training company to start with? I've spoken to Prime, CR England and Swift, and all seem interested in taking me on. I figure to do a year with one of them then purchase a truck and move elsewhere. I am not expecting much for money this first year but on the other hand, I will not need much, no car payments, child support, alimony, house payments or any of that. Only auto insurance which I just might put on non-op since I SHOULD be out on the road most all the time and simply rent a car with daily insurance IF I need one.

My thought of training companies is, they are pretty much equal except Prime and CR England are both reefer carriers, which can mean more odd hours at shippers or receivers and more of a chance of live load/unload. So scheduling might be easier with Swift in that regard. I have no problem driving at night (especially through cities) and sleeping in the day. I have heard enough to know to try to avoid getting right into a lease, although my not needing (or wanting home time) makes that part of leasing okay and having "my own" place (even if a lease truck) is attractive.

Any suggestions on any other training companies to check out, hing from SoCal area? Keep in mind, I am only thinking dry van or refrig as I am not large and do not feel like wrestling hoses or tarps.

 

Looking for a company for train me. The CDL/HAZMAT etc. are easy, the behind the wheel taking forever with most schools.

 

He seems to follows a lot of what goes on. Hopefully he can pop in with a list of training companies.

 

Thanks for the input, but I've driven my own small tanker (2800 gal on undersized 19,000 gvw chassis....scary) and do not care for tank surge. I was thinking of getting a year of experience and then buying my own truck. Unlike most people just getting into trucking, I have enough for a big down, excellent credit or could even just take out a first mortgage on my house and purchase new (cheaper interest) and sign on with LS or the Orange. But to do any of that I want at least a year of driving a company truck.

What is with Trimac Elite Fleet beside the "spiffy" uniforms they have to wear? Are they dedicated, OTR, regional or what? I can not find much about them. One thing interesting about your Prime/Trimac suggestion is I have a place to stay about 20 miles from Prime's Pittston terminal (complete with space to park a truck).

Having a place to stay near a terminal makes Prime worth considering. Not having a family to feed makes CR England worth considering. I've heard Swift's training is better than some ^^^^^^^^ and they MIGHT treat their drivers a little better. Other than the three I mentioned are there any other training companies hiring from SoCal?