I have made my decision after speaking with representatives of countless trucking companies during the last two weeks. Finally getting to talk to a live human being was a major effort at most of the companies. You know how it is with the endless voice mail menus, leaving messages and having no one call you back, etc.
Many of the companies now are only taking students into their own training programs, which means that you are an indentured servant to whichever company you choose for at least one year. I won't do that.
Many other companies said, "Go get six months experience somewhere else, then give us a call."
Frustration galore. Forget it.
I have decided to latch on as an independent business owner with a fairly new outfit based in Georgia selling durable medical equipment. This company is doing well in the southeastern part of the country and is looking to aggressively expand northward and westward, so I see it as a good ground floor opportunity to both do some selling myself and a build a nationwide sales team under me. The compensation model is much like that of an insurance agency. I get commission on my own sales, plus overrides on anything my team sells. The company already has several reps earning $10,000 a month or more.
To all of you who have so generously contributed to my threads here on CAD and answered my questions, thank you. Thank you for all the hard work you do bringing to market in a truck everything that I buy, and now even the DME that I am going to sell. Be safe out there.