Which way to go? (Probably not a good title for a wannabe trucker!)

Hi everyone, I am considering a career change into trucking. I have been in the casino industry for over 30 years, and at my current job for over 20. I am 53 years old and am looking for something that doesn't require me to be on my feet 8 hours a day...and add a lifelong fascination with trucks and truck drivers (yes, my son's father was a driver lol) and here I am. I am tossing around a few ideas and would love some real life input.

From the research I have done, I have 2 options. Go to CDL school locally, spend $5k and then get a job with whatever trucking company will hire someone with no experience, or go to a company sponsored school that will know whether they hire me before they even train me and give up a year of my life. I am opting for the second because I have a few medical issues (T2 diabetes, diet controlled, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease, this getting old sucks, but it's better than the alternative!), so I'd want to know I had a job right out of school and medical ins as soon as I possibly could. I have researched the "megas" as you call them and have narrowed it down to 3...they all seem to be pretty much the same, but I'd love input.

1. Roehl. Only because they have a yard about 10 miles from my house. Las Vegas seems to be a "desert" when it comes to the large trucking companies.

2. Swift. They have a terminal 14 miles from my best friend (of 40 years) house in CA, and I seem to see a lot of their trucks in our city. Thinking I might be able to pop in for lunch once in a while on my 10 hour breaks lol

3. Prime. Most of the reviews and such I have read on them seem to be pretty good, I like the long training (to make ME feel safer) and they seem to pay a bit more then the other 2.

After my training period, I'd like to be able to take one of my dogs (I have 4, ranging from pit bull to pug) or MAYBE even one of my cats along (not at the same time, I'm crazy but not that much lol). I'd also like to have the opportunity to have my husband or my adult son come along every once in a while. I'd like to have a few days at home about every 3 weeks. Is it possible to do all that and make a living for the first year with any of these companies?

 

I haven't even picked it up from the medical supply store yet, this is a new thing lol So I guess I'll have to wait at least 90 days to get started. Thank you for letting me know! As for the disc issues, Yeah I know to keep my mouth shut. Unless they find all my MRIs and etc, they will never know. If they do, I'll admit it.