Lineman apprenticeship/groundman call vs Trucking

Hi truckers, how are you doing? Here is my dilemma - How bad does it to drop out of training midway/ couple of months after training if I find a better paying job?

My dream job/career first choice is becoming a power lineman. i went to a lineman/climbing school. I am in the process of obtaining my CDL A because the license is required for apprentice lineman/groundman. But I'm down to work as a trucker for a while until I get a call to work as an apprentice. I might as well as become a better driver so that I don't run the utility/bucket truck into anything + OTR sounds like a good way to get out of my comfort zone and see the rest of America. (I've only lived in Hawaii, San Diego, Berkeley, Las Vegas).

Here is my situation - I have a driving test on this Thursday, which I should pass. I have a good instructor and I feel confidant that with 3 more days of training, I should be fine with the test and get my CDL A + all endorsements (tanker, double & triple, hazmat with background check confirmation mail on the way) on Thursday.

I have just interviewed for Cal-Nev apprentice lineman JATC, and I should get my rank within 2-3 weeks. If I did well and my number is within 100, I should be called for a job from several months to within a year.
* Problem -> I am not sure exactly when I'll be called to be indentured as an apprentice

Also, with my CDL A, i will be able to work as a groundman up in Northern California as a groundman for contractors who request for groundman from IBEW 1245.
Problem -> I am also not sure exactly when I'll be called to be indentured as a groundman for ibew 1245.

With the uncertainty of my dream career prospect, I feel like a flaky person.
So far, I've talked to instructors, students, and looking online to have a list of which people agree that are good trucking companies:

Meilton
Convenant
Kkw
System
Western distribution , Colorado.
Jim palmers
Interstate
Reohl
Prime
Pride
Navajo
Service rock
Knight

Out of those, my first choice is System, flatbed. They claim that the pay is $.41/mile, there is no contract.
I'm willing to learn how to tarp in order to stay in good shape. I don't mind getting dirty.

Would I get blacklisted by the company if I leave the company once I get a call for a lineman job?
I mean, they pay for training in the hope that I'll be a good driver for a prolonged period of time. It would be a dick move to get trained at a good company and just leave. Should I go to the big companies that abuse the drivers so that I wouldn't feel guilty at all when I peace out?

What are your thoughts/advice for me? I don't mind being yelled or cussed out, because I've been getting that at the school for past 4 weeks, haha. Thank you.

 

Thanks Lepton1, I feel more at ease. I'll just apply once I get my CDL A.

Haha, I guess that I'll find out if I love trucking or not once I start driving for a company =P

 

Oooh, checking out Melton on google + this forum.
Sounds evenly matched in good ways.

 

Thanks Chinatown! Good to see a fellow Sin city resident.
Yeah you're right, I better not screw up the test. I'll make sure to pass that test and get that CDL A or i'll be hosed.

i've heard from a past student that Watkins-Shepard is good.
Didn't know about pride, Northern, Dynamic or Leavitt, so I'll check them out.