"Leases" are done only for the benefit of the company. Almost all of them are "rip-offs". Stay away form them at all costs. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true.....then it is.
If I had the slightest inclination to be an Owner Operator, I would buy my tractor and possibly lease on to a company, or get my own authority. But I would never "lease a truck" from a trucking company.
On the other topic... a good company to start with is CFI. They have a school arrangement. It is different than the others. If you are accepted into the program, you pay $1000.00 of the school cost, they pay the balance, but you do not have a contract binding you to serve an indentured servitude to pay off anything. If you want more information about it, call 1-800-641-4748 and speak with Christine Lathan in Recruiting. Tell her "Skywalker" sent you.
There is no referral money in it for me.... I'm not a recruiter, and I don't work for CFI. I did drive for them for 7 years and know the company well. And the only reason I left was due to needing to be closer to home because of my wife's health issues, otherwise I would still be there.
You can also go to
http://www.cfidrivers.com and log on and read a lot about the company from Drivers and Students there, and ask questions about the company. You can also do a search on this site for information about CFI and get alot of information about them.
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Forrest Gump was right....and some people literally strive to prove it.....everyday. Strive not to be one of "them".... And "lemmings" are a dime a dozen!
Remember: The "truth WILL set you free"! If it doesn't "set you free"....."it will trap you in the cesspool of your own design".
They lost my original "avatar"....oh well.