Professional Opinion Needed

[dkdamas]

Hello Gentlemen,

I am a 49 yr old guy who spent 25 years behind a desk managing the distribution side of the trans industry. After being laid off in late 2005 I decided to change careers. Last July, I completed the good old Swift 3 week program at one of the local driving schools. Worked for Swift for 5 months before I had to leave due to family medical issues. I have looked for trucking work in the Sacramento, CA. area , as I have a family who I would like to see more often than 3 days after 5 weeks out. It has been 2 months and nothing has panned out. So I am contemplating returning to the 11 western region runs.

I have been researching different trucking companies, other than Swift (whom I really didn't have problems with other than home time). I only have 5 months experience driving, with a clean record so far. I have boiled it down to a few companies and wanted your opinion. Keep in mind, I do think of pay / miles and home time as top priority. I am seriously looking at Crete, May Trucking, and Knight Transportation. I appreciate any opinions good and bad.

Thanks

[Papa Rick]

You might want to call some of the Companies your interested in due to the fact that most of them may require you to take a refresher course. (1 Week at a CDL School).

This is due to the little amount of experience you had after you got your CDL, and how long it has been since you actually drove a big rig.

You may find a company that will take you now but not pay as good as some company that will require a refresher course.

Then you would need to weigh your options financially.

That would be my advice to you right now is to find out who will accept you due to your circumstances, and then you will know where you stand at.

[GMAN]

Even though you may not want to go back to Swift, they may be your best bet to get back in the saddle. I would still check around with other carriers. If you had more experience your options would be greater. If you had to go back to Swift for about 6 months or so to get back in the swing of things, you would probably have enough experience to go with another company.