Try going to a nearby truck stop and picking up some of the driver recruiting magazines. They all have dozens of ads for companies who are hiring, either experienced or student drivers. Also, check to see if their are any local truck driving schools in your area. The education you get from the school is usually better than going to a trucking company’s school.
The real reason there is a driver shortage is that a lot of people try it, find out they don’t like it and quit after a few months. It’s a tough job and a difficult lifestyle to adjust to but can be pretty rewarding for those that stick with it. After the first year or 2 it gets easier.
Thanks for the information. I’m single with no dependents, so family life really isn’t dragging on me as I know this job causes great strain with alot of married families.
One thing I know I want to steer clear of is leases. Some trucking companiess apparently try to pressure recruits to get tied up in a lease, which is functionally forcing someone to run there own business, and I suspect alot of these folks have no clue. I would think the failure rate for this process would be so great, companies would abandon the practise.
Nevertheless, if I become a driver, I want to be a company driver only.