Any Other Suggestions For Choosing A Trucking Company...

Well, this has been an adventure, and not the type I was hoping for. As background last week I finished shutting down my 18 year business to start my new career. I have been studying and researching for 6 months and got my DOT medical card and CLP in early December. I sold my house last year and am all set to load my dog into the truck and that will be our home (after training/probation, of course). I live in a small town about 100 miles north of Phoenix, AZ. I'd prefer to drive Dry Van , but I am willing to start in any fleet (except Port, see "dog" above).

I reported to Knight Orientation on Monday. Halfway through the day my (3rd) recriuter emailed me to say that there was an item on my application from December 3rd that disqualified me from Knight. Serious bummer, especially since I had 3 separate recruiters and updated my application 3 times (not changing said item) and all of them seemed to miss it. I was so psyched to drive for Knight. I had even toured their training and corporate facilities.

Bummer, but life is like that sometimes. Not too worried, since I had several backups. Or so I thought...

Roehl is only hiring Flatbed in AZ (OK, I can do that), but I'm not in Phoenix and therefor out of their hiring area. "Missed it by that much."

Prime would love to hire me, but I'm so far away from the terminal in Salt Lake City that they will only hire me as a Leaser, not a Company Driver. That is a deal breaker to me. I have no interest in running my own business again, and certainly not a business about which I know so little.

Western Express would love to hire me, I'm even in a great location, but... their school in Nashville is new and currently they are not hiring students from West of the Mississippi.

FFE only accepts Texas residents to their school.

Yesterday I applied to Con-way/XPO, Stevens, and USA Truck. Of course I don't expect to hear from them until Monday. None of these were on my A List. I've heard that Stevens pushes lease hard and that USA Truck isn't really long haul, mostly short/medium runs. Not ideal, but I can put up with either to get my 1 year behind the wheel. I just discovered yesterday that Con-way/XPO has both a school and a pet policy.

So, can anyone think of anybody I have missed? That is literally every company I can find that has both a school and a pet policy except for MCT who never hire from AZ.

I spoke with Southwest Truck Driver Training, the private school that Werner recommended. They couldn't find a finance option that didn't involve a $2000 deposit. Here in AZ the grants seem to be County based, and my County doesn't offer any. Did I mention I have bad credit and am cash poor?

I am willing to "move" to another state. My friends and family are scattered all over North America. Home time really is moot to me, geographically speaking. It wouldn't be easy financially to move and transfer my drivers license and vehicle registration to meet the residency requirements. Still it's likely less costly than a $2000 school payment. I am a bit concerned because in the past 15 years I have moved 3 times, all in 2015. I worry about being disqualified because my residency is considered unstable.

Hopefully Stevens, USA Truck, or Con-way/XPO will take me on and that will be the end of it. Or more accurately, the beginning. In the meantime if anyone has any suggestions they are willing to offer I would be grateful.

What about Werner? Or is that not an option?

SRT.. Southern refrigerated transport...

I spoke with Southwest Truck Driver Training, the private school that Werner recommended. They couldn't find a finance option that didn't involve a $2000 deposit. Here in AZ the grants seem to be County based, and my County doesn't offer any. Did I mention I have bad credit and am cash poor?

Werner doesn't run their own school. Like several companies they will reimburse you for private school training, provided it is a school on their approved list. But you have to do the initial financing yourself. This is the path my brother took when he entered the industry since he was able to get Maricopa County (where Phoenix is located) to pay for all of his school. Unfortunately in my case this doesn't seem to be an option without a $2000 deposit, which I don't have.

SRT.. Southern refrigerated transport...

Bummer, their School Hiring Map is states bordering Arkansas, plus Alabama and Georgia.

My brother in law drives for swift. Car hauler. Goes LA to SF to PHX. That's his week. Does pretty good for himself. Makes 1000 + per week. Check that out. Swift also has their own school.. just a thought.

Celadon. Crst. Cr england. Millis. That's about all I can think of..

Swift,

Celadon. Crst. Cr england. Millis. That's about all I can think of..

Swift, CRST, CR England, Millis - No Pets

Celadon - AZ not in Hiring Map

I had no idea how difficult it would be to find another Company that has a School that hired in AZ that allowed Pets. Surely Knight can't be the only one.

I am starting swift training . and from what I understand it's rated one of the best in the country. But everyone thinks different tho. So good luck with your choice