Here's my short list...

[85sportcoupe]

After a tremendous amount of research over the last three months, I finally have my short list. Now I just need to put them in a proper order. That's where I need your assistance. All comments are appreciated.

In no particular order:

Crete
Watkins/Shepard
Old Dominion
Shaffer (I know they're the same company)
R+L Carriers
Millis

Please give me the pros and cons. I start school on Oct 17. No experience.

Thanks for your input.

[double_r]

Crete
Shaffer (I know they're the same company)

One of the better OTR companies(from whay I hear). Most likely you will be gone 3 weeks at a time unless you get on a dedicated account.

Old Dominion
R+L Carriers

LTL carriers. Home daily, all city driving(unless you fall into a line-haul gig with them). Both have a section on this board. Check them out, the drivers there could give you a good idea of what to expect.

Millis

Use to be that you had to attend thier school even if you already graduated from a CDL school. Thier school was something like $3000.00.

Giving a location might help(what major city are you near) some give you more to add to that list.

[85sportcoupe]

I'm in Chattanooga, so Atlanta is close and so is Nashville and Knoxville.

[bigk300]

I'm in Chattanooga, so Atlanta is close and so is Nashville and Knoxville.

What are you looking for, what kind of income range? You could try Shaw Industries out of Dalton,Ga for a local or yard jockey position. They hired student grads for yard jockey when I worked there and then you could move into OTR or inter-plant (local) after 90 days.

With Old Dominion and R+L you will need some experience first.

Coca-Cola is hiring students out of Cleveland ,Tn saw the ad last week.

Watkins/Shepard is based in Montana but they haul a lot of carpet out of the Dalton area and have a terminal there .

I also live in the Chattanooga area PM me if you need anything.

[85sportcoupe]

Basically, what I'm looking for is a supplement to my military retirement and VA disability. I know that doesn't really answer the question, so I guess what I need is enough income so that I can put some of my current income away for later.

Old Dominion does hire students from select schools (Chat State is one of those).

Watkins was my first choice for quite a while, mainly because they offer refresher training for their drivers for winter driving. I lived in New England for a number of years, so driving on snow and ice doesn't bother me too much, but I've NEVER done it in an 80000# rig!!

I like the idea of R+L having a terminal here in Chattanooga. That would be convenient.

Millis I don't think I have much chance of right away. Most everything I've read, they want experience.

Thanks for you response. It's really appreciated.