Hi everyone!
Can't tell you all how much help this website has been to me over the last few weeks. I'm impressed with how helpful everyone is, and how willing to share wisdom and advice. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise, since my dad was a tanker yanker for the better part of two decades, before he retired, and just about every one of his fellow drivers that I met were great people.
Guess I should get to my questions. In my research on this board, I read a lot of good things about companies like CFI, Crete and TMC. But in looking at their websites, I get the impression that they mostly hire east of the Rockies. I live in southern Oregon, and am looking to make a career change to trucking at age 43. I do not have a CDL, and as funds are a little tight right now, I would like to go through a trucking outfit's training, if at all possible. Thankfully, my driving record is clean right now...no accidents, no citations. Never been arrested or had a DUI, and I can pee in a cup. Don't know how much all that counts for, but hopefully something.
Seems I read mostly bad things about Swift, and kind of a mixed bag on Schneider. Checked out Schneider's website, and it seems like their pay is lower than most (25 cpm to start). Gordon is big here on the West Coast, but seems I've heard they don't take newbies?
Wow, I'm yapping a lot. Time to summarize. Since I'm staring down the barrel at middle age, I would like to try to start at one of the best of the "starter companies". I have a phone interview with Schneider this afternoon, and Swift is doing a hiring event in town tomorrow. Filled out an online application with TMC a couple of days ago, but haven't heard from them yet. Am I missing a company I should be applying with?
Oh yeah, I would really love to drive OTR across the entire 48, but from what I've gathered from Schneider and Swift, my only option as a solo driver is regional. (I'm single, no kids, and currently no girlfriend, so I wouldn't mind being away from home for long stretches at a time.)
Thanks for the help! I've scoured the archives, but haven't found a lot of info specific to Oregon, so any help is much appreciated!